I truly despise my existence. Yet life is something you can never wish to release. You might loathe your life. At the instant, before death only feelings of remorse will occupy your mind.
'What if things were better?'
'Perhaps if that had not occurred…'
'If I had never kissed her…'
One can never get much out of life."
Lucas declared himself as though he were an expert, in this domain.
The person reflected in the mirror remains speechless. His expression was vacant resembling the face of the original Lucas.
Humm
The Lucas reflected in the mirror gave a smile and a nod of approval. "Remember what I said. Whenever you require assistance I'll be here, for you, brother…"
When the Lucas reflected in the mirror ended his statement his image gradually dissolved, unveiling a visage. This face was partially visible sufficient to discern that the genuine man, in the mirror possessed navy spiky hair and radiant skin.
Lucass eyes welled up at the vision. "B-big brother..?!"
Whoosh!
The bedsheets lay untidy. A bit damp, with sweat. Lucas. Turned on the mattress causing it to rustle. "Mmm-mm.."
His eyes gently opened as though he had just emerged from a slumber… something Lucas had not felt since the sorrowful accident.
He rose from his bed and his gaze roamed across the room. "Was it really…. Am I dreaming?" Lucas murmured sleepily to himself.
Gasp!
"Big brother…" In a flash, the irregular dream replayed in his head. 'Thank you, big bro.'
He shifted his gaze sideways. Noticed his younger sister, lying asleep on the opposite side of the bed. She was snoring loudly and muttering quietly in her sleep.
A smile appeared on Lucass face as he rose from the bed and drew the blanket over Stella. 'Seems we both nodded off. Did she bother tidying the chaos she caused with her friend?'
Lucas exhaled deeply fully aware of the response. If there was anyone he understood thoroughly it wasn't himself. Stella.
That's his perspective.
Lucas started tidying the clutter indoors. From the cookies arranged in a ring on the rug, to the twenty stained dishes piled in the sink.
Sigh…
This girl really ought to begin looking after herself ! We're the same age yet somethings off with her or something...
"Last plate… and I'm done… phew!"
Lucas shut the dishwasher. Set it to the highest level. 'Something seems off… did I miss anything?'
Yeah.
A quite big one.
You might figure it out.
"SHIT. SHIT. SHIT!!!!! IS TODAY NOT SUNDAY?! IT'S MONDAY?!"
Indeed you figured it out.
Lucas quickly slipped into his shirt and black trousers. Wearing cologne? Forget that—you're late… that's what I'd tell anyone else.
Recall the chapter? Indeed his greatest treasures are his colognes.
…
"I arrived in the nick of time! Almost didn't make it…" Lucas leaned back into his car seat. He had a moments free which he used to catch his breath… despite being, behind the wheel?
Within the office all appeared usual. The sound of keyboards tapping and printers struggling with paper jams filled the air. From the rear desk a person was hurriedly speaking into a headset, about a customer requesting a refund because apparently their dog had devoured the receipt.
Lucas placed his bag onto his desk.
" morning salad boy " Sabrina called out to him from, behind.
He spun back. "Could we kindly stop using that nickname?"
"Not happening." She drank from her water bottle. "You seem a little livelier today—not like a poem walking around."
"That's a way to say it."
"Yet, it's accurate."
Disregarding her he began sorting through the documents, on his desk.
The morning progressed smoothly. No blasts, no accidents and luckily no surprise demands, from the boss to dive into a presentation. Lucas viewed this as a victory.
Minutes afterward he looked up and noticed Lily Clark entering.
He instinctively corrected his posture.
She wore a yet tidy outfit consisting of a blouse tucked into a skirt that complemented her cool captivating eyes. Her hair was secured back with a clip. She carried several folders in one hand a pen tucked behind her ear.
The moment she noticed him she greeted, " morning, Lucas."
"Morning."
For an instant a subtle change crossed her face that made Lucas feel unexpectedly comforted.
She commented, "You appear alert, than normal."
"I was asleep."
She looked at him blinking. "What?"
"Forget it."
She gave a nod, her mouth quivering slightly as though she wished to grin but restrained herself.
After that she. Left.
Lucas gazed at his screen mentally replaying that exchange as if it held some deep mystery.
Sabrina snapped him out of his daze by flinging a paperclip his way. "Stop smiling at your screen. It's unsettling."
"I'm not smiling."
"You totally are."
He succeeded in holding back the smile—.
Close to midday he grabbed a granola bar from the break room. Went back, to his desk.
Everything went along seamlessly: documents arrived, were organized, archived and signed then the cycle started anew. His thoughts drifted now. Then—toward Karas anxiety Lilys energy, the odd reflection of the feelings, from the previous night.
He stopped briefly massaging the nape of his neck. "The paperwork is gradually wearing me down " he murmured quietly.
At that moment his supervisor passed by. "Handling paperwork develops character."
Lucas forced a smile. "Yes, sir."
His supervisor gave a nod. Proceeded along.
After he was, beyond hearing range Lucas released a sigh.
Occasionally he wondered how life might have turned out if he had picked a profession from paperwork and spreadsheets. Yet in truth he assumed he would likely manage to embarrass himself no the occupation.
He toiled until five o'clock. The day seemed quiet almost too peaceful in fact. Lucas was wary of days that passed without issue; they often signaled that turmoil was imminent.
As he gathered his belongings and walked outside the chilly breeze touched his face. He proceeded along the walkway, toward the parking area.
"Lucas."
He came to a halt.
Lily stood there clutching her phone as if she had been practicing her words throughout the day.
"Oh. Hi " Lucas responded.
She moved nearer. "There's something I wanted to ask you."
Her voice appeared calm yet her eyes flitted around except, at him. The narrator identified that expression— shy individual making an effort to conceal their timidity.
Lucas inquired, "Hows it going?"
Lily coughed softly. "I'm heading to the mall, next Sunday."
"Okay."
"For errands " she said, raising her chin. "Crucial errands. Extremely crucial."
"Sure."
She adjusted her stance appearing anxious. "You ought to come."
"Come with you?"
"Not, like that." She lowered her eyes. "Simply because. You likely require clothes."
"I possess garments."
"Not good ones."
Lucas pressed his lips together to hold back a chuckle. "Are you asking me to come with you to the mall?"
She swiveled her head abruptly it seemed as though she could have injured herself. "Don't phrase it in a way."
"It's not weird."
"Good. Because it's not a date."
He gave a nod. "Understood."
"Just show up by ten. And for the love of all things good, try not to look like a lost tourist."
"I will attempt."
"Good."
With that she. Headed toward the parking area her pace brisk as though she had to flee before she dissolved into a puddle.
Seeing her climb, into her car Lucas found himself grinning more broadly.
He was fully aware of what he had consented to.
A date.
No matter how much she refused the redness, on her cheeks revealed the truth.
With a skip in his step, he headed to his own car, the narrator noting this with a bit of amusement.