36

[|]

Since I was not going to work on Tuesdays, I was at home, watching TV while Lucas sat on the other couch, using his laptop and headphone. He had multiple documents around him which made me wonder whether he still had schoolwork or something else. 

We had barely said a word to each other last night after the elevator incident. We only told each other good morning today and that was it. Lucas seemed distant and cold to me which I accepted because I didn't want to get too close to him while I lived here. My instincts told me not to. 

My phone started to ring beside me, and I paused what I was watching to pick the phone up. I rolled my eyes when I saw it was a call from Andrea, my former roommate. I hesitantly accepted the call and pressed my phone to my ear.

"Hello," I said drily.

"Hi! How are you, Jackie?"

"I'm good and you?"

"Same, same. So, where are you staying now?"

"Not too far from school. What about you?"

"I'm at the medical dorm. We still have some unfinished stuff."

I was waiting for her to tell me the reason she called. Andrea would never call for any reason other than—

"How's Lucas? Seen him anywhere?"

There she was. That was the Andrea I knew. I chuckled and glanced at Lucas who was now rubbing his bottom lip with the end of his pencil. Something about it looked attractive, especially with the way his arched eyebrows were furrowed and eyes focused. 

"Are you serious about this guy, Andrea?"

"Yes, Jackie. Please, link us up. I want to meet him so bad. Imagine thinking about some guy you haven't seen before," she whined.

I knew she was after his money after seeing his car which made me roll my eyes at how she was acting. I was sure Lucas wasn't the commitment type.

"Fine. I'll talk to him," I said, and she squealed, almost deafening me.

"Thank you! Thank you, Jackie. When you tell him about me. Have us meet today! I'll be free today. Pretty, please?"

I threw my head back and groaned silently.

"Okay. I gotta go now, bye." I ended the call and tossed my phone aside. 

I looked at Lucas who was now rubbing his neck with his eyes closed. I bit my lip as I started to think of how I could present the idea of Lucas going on a date with Andrea.

When he stopped rubbing his neck, he opened his eyes and met mine. I sat straight and looked at the floor. I nibbled on my lip and hesitantly looked up. He was still looking at me but more at my mouth. I released my lip and cleared my throat then motioned at the headphone he was wearing. He raised a perfect eyebrow before taking it off.

"What?" He asked.

"I have something to tell you," I said, and he nodded. "You see, there's this roommate of mine that's been... She's been talking about you for a long time now and she likes you and wants you to hang out with her."

Lucas stared at me for some seconds with a blank expression. I could not tell what he was thinking which was bad for me because I needed to prepare my mind for whatever he was about to say. I didn't want to offend him.

"Really?" He asked, throwing his arms on the back of the couch.

I shrugged. "Yes. She's nice though. You'll like her. I just want you to go out with her because she's not letting me rest."

Lucas smirked. "Is she hot or sexy? Because my type of girl is either hot or sexy... Or be good in bed."

I grimaced at his crass words and grabbed a throw pillow then tossed it at him. It missed his giant head which made him laugh and I hiss. I rose from the couch and went over to him.

"Andrea isn't some object you baboon. Look, just go out with her once and for all."

Lucas shrugged. "Fine. With a name like Andrea? She sounds sexy and hot. So, when do I meet her?"

I beamed in happiness. Finally, Andrea would leave me alone.

[|]

Later that evening, Lucas drove to a restaurant twenty minutes away from home and to where Andrea said she was waiting for us. I didn't want to tag along but because I had to do the whole meet this and that, I had to go through this torture. 

As Lucas drove, I kept my eyes on the road because I was also feeling weird about him going out with Andrea. At first, I thought he would go against it and say something about sleeping with her like the playboy that he was, but he took it seriously which left a dull ache in my chest. 

Soon enough, Lucas parked in one of the parking spaces of the fast-food restaurant. I had expected Andrea to send an address to an expensive restaurant, but I was surprised it was a fast-food place. 

"This should be it," Lucas said and I nodded my head. "Call Andrea."

I took out my phone and called her number. She answered immediately and asked if we were at the restaurant.

"Yes, we are. Come outside," I said and ended the call. 

I unfastened my seatbelt while Lucas did the same. I got out when he did and rolled my eyes when I saw Andrea walk out of the restaurant in jeans shorts and a sweater. I faked a smile when she waved at me then she tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear when Lucas stood beside me. I saw her eyes go wide and her lip's part at the sight of Lucas and I didn't feel the urge to look at him to see what his reaction to her was.

Andrea was gorgeous and I didn't want to see what Lucas thought of her looks. I pushed the thoughts out of my head when Andrea approached us and smiled at Lucas.

"Hi," she said in a light tone I have never heard her use before.

"What's up?" Lucas asked in a dry tone.

Something about the way he sounded gave me slight relief. Almost as if he wasn't fully interested in her. 

"Uh, Andrea... This is Lucas and Lucas, this is Andrea. She's the one I told you about," I said, smiling at Andrea whose attention was fully on Lucas.

"Nice name," Lucas said and she giggled.

Now, what was funny in what he had said?

"I know, right?" Andrea said and batted her eyelashes. 

I scratched the back of my neck, feeling awkward in their presence. I cleared my throat and pointed my thumb over my shoulder. They looked at me, both confused.

"I will be leaving now. Have fun." I started to turn my body but a warm grip around my hand stopped me.

I looked down and saw it was Lucas' hand. On instinct, I glanced at Andrea. She was glaring at our hands, and I quickly took my hand out of his. I shot Lucas a look which he ignored with a roll of his eyes.

"Do you know your back?" He asked and I looked at Andrea, checking to see if she was suspicious of his question. She only looked annoyed.

"Yes. I'll tell the taxi driver where I'm headed."

Lucas nodded. "Can you drive?"

"No." 

What was up with him and his silly questions? 

"Do you have money for—"

"She'll be fine," Andrea cut in and wrapped her arm around Lucas' arm.

I looked at their arms and back at Lucas who was staring down at Andrea with a scowl on his face. I cleared my throat and smiled at Andrea when she gave me a blank expression. 

"I'll take my leave now," I said and walked away.

My heart felt heavy when I heard Andrea giggle after Lucas said something to her. I crossed my arms and walked faster, wanting to be away from the duo.