Roomie

Allicia entered the cafeteria fifteen minutes late. She sat down next to Ben with an air of pride. Both Ben and Lucus didn't ask why, in fear she would launch into some sort of ear bleeding story that was too poorly explained to understand. Instead, Lucus asked a new question.

"The gala's in 4 days. I don't have anything to wear. Do I need to buy a suit?" Allicia looked Lucus up and down, and so did Ben. He obviously had no sense of style, but really, how could he.

"Were you planning on going like that?" asked Ben jokingly, poking the grey and blue striped T-shirt Lucus was wearing. Lucus spooned another bite of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

"I guess. I don't have any money, and this is comfy." he shrugged. He continued spooning more potatoes into his mouth. "You guys should eat your potatoes. They're really good today." The bowl was soon licked clean.

"You can't go like that. You need to look presentable. What will the people listening to you say if you come in a T-shirt and baggy shorts." Allicia cut in. She was really one to talk. The school didn't have uniforms, but they did have a dress code. Most girls broke them anyways, wearing crop tops and short skirts. Allicia didn't, but not because she didn't want to. She broke plenty of rules. She wore a similar outfit to Lucus, but had ripped jeans, rather than shorts. Ben was the only nicely dressed of the three. He sported a clean polo shirt that had the school's name plastered on the front. Nobody really wore these. They were nice shirts, but super tacky. His parents had evidently forced him into it. He also wore jeans, but not ripped.

"Well I can't buy one. Mother is away on a trip. We only have the monitors to take care of us. I doubt they would lend me money." Lucus concentrated on his food. Loud noises were bearable now. He could go into a crowded room without his ears feeling like a thousand knives were being jammed into them. Even so, it was hard.

"He can borrow one of mine, but seriously," Ben turned to look at Lucus. "Don't you get an allowance?" He took a bite of the mashed potatoes.

"Yeah, but not enough for a suit."

"Really? How much do you get?"

"Rich people." Allicia stage whispered. Ben began to shovel mashed potatoes into his mouth.

Later that day, Allicia went with her friends to go dress shopping for the gala. "I normally hate dresses, but I want to look nice for Lucus's big day. Hmm. Lucus's. That's an annoying word to say. Looooo kaaaaa suuuuuussss." is what Allicia said as they left the school. It was just Ben and Lucus today, so they decided to visit the orphanage.

"Ya know, I've only been there once when I was a lot younger. I hardly remember it." Said Ben as they walked past a cute bakery. He picked up two sample matcha flavored buns and handed one to Lucus.

"Oh yeah. I remember that. I was confused why you were here, even though you came with your mom." Lucus took a bite of his bread and looked up. Nothing was different about looking up, but it did feel slightly cooler. "I think I tried to attack your mom because I thought she was abandoning you." He took a few more bites of bread before tossing the last bit into the trash. He knew where it was. They walked this path every day.

"I could have finished that."

"I didn't want to give you the satisfaction of my leftovers." Lucus sneered at Ben and stuck out his tongue.

"Why were we there… oh yeah. We were donating some money to the orphanage. I also had to drop off some of my old clothes."

"Thank goodness I've always been taller than you. That way I never wore your clothing." They were now at the front door of the orphanage and they stepped in. The orphanage was tidy, but not as perfect as it usually was. Lucus walked around and gave Ben the grand tour. It was mostly him walking down the halfway and saying bedroom a few times. Lucus actually had his own room. He was the oldest, and none of the boys were his age. It was decorated exactly like he wanted it to look, and was as clean as he wanted it to be. You can imagine the surprise of going in to find a boy moving around your furniture.

"It's so plain in here. Seriously, have you never thought to add furniture?" The boy said. He sounded about a year younger than Lucus. A real brat.

"Who are you?" He skipped the pleasantries. Lucus was not in the mood.

"Your new roomie. Duh. I just got here." he continued shoving Lucus's bed to the side. Great. Lucus thought. Now I have to re-learn the area.

"Sorry for your loss." Ben felt very awkward here. Lucus seemed to have forgotten he was there.

"Meh. I'm over that. Lost 'em a while ago." he waved his hand as if swatting at an invisible fly. Lucus recoiled and so did Ben. This kid might have come off as bratty, but that was just completely cold and heartless. Lucus said nothing. This wasn't exactly rare. Probably another case of denial. You saw all kinds of things around the orphanage.

"Is that any way to talk about your parents? That's so cold. Don't you have any conscience? How old are you anyways? I think I'm older than you-" Lucus cut him off by putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm younger than you. A year. My parents were crappy by the way. They went and got themselves killed when I was only 12. They were on their way to some fancy party and left me at home. Car smashed them to bloody bits. Got a nice inheritance waiting for me though." He looked like he didn't care, but Lucus could hear his heart beat faster. Ben continued when Lucus removed his hand, as if he never stopped him in the first place.

"Why didn't you come earlier? It's been like, a few years. Shouldn't you have come before?" Ben was annoyed. Not only was he some ungrateful brat, but he was moving Lucus's furniture around. Not exactly the best thing to do for a blind person. The boy didn't bat an eye. He seemed unfazed. His heart rate didn't change at all.

"I would have, but I was in jail."