@Rainy_day_artist_classic group
Standing at his side, she gently ran her fingers through his hair. "Maybe because me and you live together."
Standing at his side, she gently ran her fingers through his hair. "Maybe because me and you live together."
"Well, that's definitely why it's different for me, so that makes sense." Lucas flushed a bit when Melissa touched his hair and glanced around to see if anyone was watching them.
"Yeah… but maybe it'll be a good different." Melissa hummed, noting that he seemed to tense up at her petting. So she pulled back just a bit and sat down in an empty seat besides him.
"Hopefully. I mean, I don't have to worry about going back to my house now, so that's a plus." Lucas sighed softly when Melissa pulled away.
Nodding softly, she hung her backpack on the back of her seat. "That's true. And we both get to go to the clearing after school as well." Melissa smiled.
"Mhmm." Lucas was quiet for a few seconds, thinking. "…When should I go visit my dad?"
Stretching her arms on the desk, Melissa gave a light shrug. "I dunno… would you wanna go your birthday week?"
Lucas shook his head. "Probably not if I'm planning on enjoying my birthday."
Melissa nodded, agreeing that was a good point. "That's true… what about a week or so from now?"
"Maybe?" Lucas nibbled at one of his knuckles anxiously and tapped one foot on the ground. "I'm just worried it won't go well…"
"I'll go with you." Melissa offered, reaching over and resting a hand on his forearm. "If it doesn't go well, you can always try again later."
Lucas nodded, glancing over at Melissa nervously. "I'm just dreading seeing him again… I feel horrible. I don't even want to see my own father. I'm such a horrible person…"
Melissa's smile dropped, and she sighed. "Come on, don't say that." She pleaded, looking at him and lowering her voice. "He abused you… you shouldn't feel bad about being nervous to see him. That's the most logical thing you've said in the past five minutes. Don't talk yourself down for being scared."
Lucas fidgeted a bit, clearly unsure. "But he's still my father, and… and he's gonna be behind bars or glass or something, and I still don't wanna see him… I'm just an asshole. Stupid, ungrateful boy…"
Melissa pulled back a little, feeling like he had heard that last sentence a million times before. "Lucas… I love you, and can't stand listening to you say these things about yourself. It doesn't matter where he's at, having to face him again sounds horrendous,"
Lucas looked up at Melissa weakly. "He… h-he was right about me, wasn't he? I'm just a coward… I've always been afraid to face him."
When he spoke, her heart stopped in her chest. It took her a moment to respond, as she was too shocked to function. "I- no. No, you're not. You're not a coward."
Lucas tapped his foot anxiously, biting his lip. "I am a coward…" He whispered. "I always have been…"
"Please- stop saying that. You're not a coward, Lu." Melissa insisted, taking his hand in her own and holding on tightly. "You're not… not a coward to me. How else would you have been able to tell me how you felt? Or survive that long in your house?"
"But I waited so long to tell you, both about liking you and about my house… I was too scared to tell you. I was too scared to tell you anything, and I'm sorry…"
"But you worked up the courage to do it." Melissa whispered, knowing class would start soon. She really didn't want him to start a mental breakdown now. Not on the first day. "You finally did it. You worked it up, and here we are. We're together, and we're going to spend the last bit of our day under the willow tree in our clearing."
Lucas nodded weakly, still fidgeting. "I-I'm sorry, Mel, I… I'm probably being stupid again, aren't I?"
Shaking her head softly, she pushed back up out of her seat. "No, you're just stuck in the same mindset." Melissa whispered, pulling him into a gentle hug.
Lucas sighed and returned the hug. "Yeah… you're right, Mel… you're always right… I'm sorry…"
She smiled weakly, petting the top of his head. "Then you believe me, when I say it's true. I really do love you, I hate to see you tearing yourself apart."
"I'm sorry, Mel…" Lucas leaned into Melissa's hand a bit and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry… I'm just being stupid again…"
"You're not," She whispered, stroking him gently. "As soon as school is over, we can talk about this more. But right now, I need you to be strong enough to get through the day."
Lucas nodded, drawing in a wavering breath. "Alright, Alright, I… I'll try to calm down, Mel…"
"Mm, thank you." Melissa whispered again, kissing the top of her head as she started to pull away. "You think you'll be alright?"
He nodded again. "I think so… I'll just… do the breathing thing…" He closed his eyes and started controlling his breathing to try and relax.
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