Lucas left Stiles and Scott behind without saying much more.
The hallway slowly filled again with normal school noise, but his attention wasn't really on it anymore. He just kept moving, letting his body follow routine.
"Lucas, right?"
He stopped.
Allison stood near the lockers, adjusting her bag like she wasn't fully sure she should've stopped him.
But she still took a chance , and asked.
Looking at her smiling face that seemed to want to hide the hint of nervousness in her tone Lucas answered with smile."Yeah,that's me."
She nodded slightly, like she was confirming something in her head.
"I think we talked briefly before. First day, right?"
"It would be weird if I forgot about talking to a beautiful girl like you."
Spoke Lucas staring directly in her eyes as he watched her pupils dilating , and a genuine happy smile appeared on her face.
"Thank you,you are really forward with you compliments you know that?"
Allison replied with a teasing smile.
Lucas smiled as he looked at her playing with her hair , and noticing her heartbeat rising.
"Just being honest"
A short pause followed. As the two looked at each other.
Allison leaned lightly against the lockers.
"So… how are you finding the school so far?" she asked.
"Normal. Loud," Lucas said.
That made her smile a little.
"Yeah, that sounds accurate."
Another pause.
"You don't really sound like you're from around here," she said.
"Neither do you," Lucas replied.
That made her laugh softly.
"Fair point."
"Do you move around a lot?"
Asked Lucas with an intrigued look on his face.
"Yeah…my father is a licensed firearms dealer , and a private security consultant so we travel a lot."
Allison Shrugged with a helpless expression on her face.
The bell rang and the hallway started moving again.
Allison shifted her bag.
"I've got to head out after last class. My dad asked me to pick something up. It's going to rain later…" she said, then hesitated. "If you're walking, I can give you a ride. It's on the way."
Lucas looked at her for a moment.
"Sure." Lucas agreed without hesitation not mentioning the fact that he was living near school , as for a umbrella?It's 2011 for fuck sake it doesn't exist yet.
Later.
The sky had already changed by the time they left school.
Clouds darker. Air heavier.
Allison walked beside him toward the parking lot.
"You're quiet," she said.
"I usually am."
"That sounds like an excuse people use to avoid talking."
"It works sometimes."
She smiled again, more naturally this time.
As they reached the car, she glanced at him for a moment longer than normal.
Not obvious.
Just observing his face a little more than necessary.
She said nothing , and then just unlocked the car.
"Alright, come on."
The rain started halfway through the drive.
At first light. Then heavier.
Allison focused on the road… until something moved near the sidewalk.
A dog.
A sudden impact before she could react.
The car jerked slightly as she hit the brakes too late.
"Oh my—no, no, no…" she whispered, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Lucas reacted instantly.
"Stay here" he said, already opening the door.
Rain hit him immediately. Cold.
He walked toward the grass where the dog had limped.
Allison followed, panic in her voice.
"I didn't see it— I swear—"
"It's breathing don't worry" Lucas interrupted, kneeling.
"It seems that just his leg has been injured."
Continued Lucas as he examined the dog to see if there are more injuries.
Calm. Focused.
Allison stopped.
Not looking at the dog first.
At him.
The way he moved without hesitation. Without panic.
Lucas checked the dog, then looked back.
"Get in the passenger seat I will drive"
Lucas said as he quickly opened the the trunk of the car , and putting the injured dog inside.
As he entered the driver seat he saw Allison still crying.—" Allison look at me" Lucas then touched her shoulders and looked straight into her eyes." It's not your fault , nobody could've react in time in this kind of weather."
Lucas said with an gentle smile on his face as he massaged her shoulders trying to calm down.
After a couple minutes Allison calmed down , and started to wipe the tears of her face.
"Thank you , we should quickly go to the dog clinic before is to late."
"Ok" replied Lucas seeing that she calmed down as he drove the car towards the clinic .
10 minutes later.
Lucas quickly parked the car, he saw Allison wanting to get out too before stopping her,"You should stay inside,you're already all wet I'm worried you'll get sick." Then he put the heat on maximum.
"Don't worry is not that bad.."
"Stop" stopped her from continuing speaking.
"Please listen to me this time."
As Lucas was staring at her Allison diverted her gaze before giving a small nod.
Seeing her finally agreeing he smiled then he took his backpack from the backseat , and gave her a t-shirt and a black hoodie.
"Here you can change when I'm gone."
Then he quickly exited the car , taking the dog and entering the clinic .
Allison watched him go, her hand still resting over her chest.
Her heartbeat hadn't slowed down yet.
"…It must be because I panicked," she whispered to herself.
But the small smile on her lips didn't feel like panic.