The idea struck Lucas late that night as he lay awake in bed, staring at the faint glow of his ceiling. If Ethan had the fundraiser as his way to stay close to Lily, then Lucas needed to get involved too. He didn't have to be a rugby star or the life of the party, but he could find a way to contribute—and maybe prove he wasn't just another face in the crowd.
---
The next morning, Lucas found Nate leaning against the lockers during recess, a half-eaten meat pie in his hand. Nate's laid-back demeanor made him the perfect person to approach.
"Hey, Nate," Lucas said, trying to sound casual. "Do you know anything about the school fundraiser this weekend?"
Nate raised an eyebrow, chewing slowly. "You mean the one Ethan won't shut up about? Yeah, it's for the library renovation. They're doing a bake sale, games, a raffle—all that jazz. Why? You thinking of going?"
"I was thinking of helping out," Lucas replied, attempting nonchalance. His pulse quickened slightly at the admission.
Nate nearly choked on his pie, coughing out a laugh. "Helping out? Mate, since when do you get involved in school events?"
Lucas shrugged. "It's a good way to meet people, right?"
Nate smirked knowingly. "Or, it's a good way to spend time with Lily Summers."
Lucas flushed but didn't deny it. Nate laughed, clapping him on the back. "All right, Romeo, I'll get you in. Ethan's looking for volunteers anyway. Just don't let him catch on to your master plan."
---
By lunchtime, Lucas had signed up to help with decorations and man a game booth at the fundraiser. It was a small step, but it felt like progress.
The day of the event dawned bright and sunny, with a cool breeze rustling the gum trees around the school grounds. By mid-morning, the place was bustling with activity. Parents and students worked side by side, setting up tables, stringing bunting, and arranging baked goods on display.
Lucas arrived early, feeling slightly out of place among the experienced volunteers. He scanned the crowd and spotted Lily near the main entrance, tying a cluster of colorful balloons to a sign that read *"Willow High Library Fundraiser."*
She looked up and waved when she saw him. "Lucas! What are you doing here?"
"I signed up to help," Lucas said, trying to sound casual despite the nervous flutter in his chest.
"That's awesome!" Lily said, her face lighting up. "We can definitely use more hands. Ethan's over there with the decorations crew. Go find him, and he'll give you something to do."
Lucas nodded and made his way toward Ethan, who was standing near the stage, clipboard in hand, directing a small group of students.
"Walker!" Ethan called out when he spotted Lucas. "Didn't peg you as the volunteering type."
Lucas forced a grin. "Thought I'd give it a try."
Ethan handed him a box of supplies. "All right, you're on banner duty. We need it hung across the stage. Make sure it's straight—we've got standards, you know."
Lucas spent the next hour tying, taping, and climbing ladders. Though he braced for more teasing, Ethan turned out to be surprisingly fair and focused. Despite his commanding presence, he worked alongside everyone else, ensuring things ran smoothly.
---
By early afternoon, Lucas had been assigned to the ring toss booth in the games area. The section buzzed with excitement as kids darted around with their prizes and parents cheered them on. Though it was hectic, Lucas found himself settling into the rhythm of it.
He was just starting to feel like he'd blended into the background when Lily appeared, balancing a tray of cupcakes.
"Hey, how's it going?" she asked, setting the tray down on a nearby table.
"Pretty good," Lucas replied, grateful for the distraction. "You?"
"Busy, but fun," Lily said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I'm impressed, Lucas. You really jumped in today."
Lucas shrugged, fighting to keep his tone casual. "Figured it was a good way to get involved."
"Well, it's working," Lily said, giving him a warm smile. "The event wouldn't be the same without you."
Lucas's heart swelled at her words, but before he could respond, Ethan appeared, clipboard still in hand. His normally easygoing demeanor had a slight edge of stress to it now.
"Lily, we need someone to run the raffle table," Ethan said, scanning the crowd. "Do you mind taking over for a bit?"
"Sure," Lily said, standing up. She turned back to Lucas, her smile softening. "Save me a cupcake, okay?"
Lucas nodded, watching as she walked off with Ethan. That strange pang in his chest returned, a mix of frustration and longing. But this time, there was something else—a flicker of hope.
---
The afternoon passed in a blur of laughter and chatter. Though Lucas kept busy at the booth, he found his eyes drifting toward the raffle table every so often. Lily stood out in the crowd, her energy contagious as she interacted with students and parents alike.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, signaling the event's final hours, Lucas took a moment to step back and look around. For the first time, he felt like he was part of something bigger—a community, a team.
Nate ambled over, holding a soda in one hand. "You're really going all in, huh?"
Lucas smirked. "Can't half-ass a master plan, right?"
Nate chuckled. "Well, whatever you're doing, it seems to be working. Lily's been smiling at you all day. Even Ethan looks less smug than usual."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Ethan? Smug? No way."
Nate grinned. "Okay, maybe he's still smug. But you're holding your own, mate. Keep it up."
Lucas nodded, a newfound sense of confidence settling over him. For once, he didn't feel like he was playing catch-up.
---
As the event wound down and volunteers began cleaning up, Lucas spotted Lily carrying a box of leftover baked goods. He hurried over to help her, taking the box from her hands.
"Thanks," she said, smiling up at him. "You've been amazing today."
"Couldn't let Ethan have all the glory," Lucas said, earning a laugh from her.
"Well, I think you definitely earned a cupcake," Lily said, reaching into the box and handing him one. "Here. Consider it a thank-you."
Lucas took it, feeling the warmth of her words more than the cupcake in his hand.
As they walked toward the main entrance together, the school grounds now quieter in the fading light, Lucas felt something shift. The distance between them didn't seem as vast as it had before.
Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to stand out to Lily after all.