Chapter Eleven: "Lack Of Coordination."

SARAH AND I walked into class before the bell rang. Mrs. Olivera wasn't there but two people were already. "Are you serious?" Lucas laughed at something his friend that always wore sunglasses inside was saying.

"No does it look like I'm kidding?"

Lucas didn't answer his question when he looked up and saw me. The tie of his uniform was hung around his neck like always and his hair was still in those spikes.

"Did other people enter the classroom?" The guy with sunglasses asked nonchalantly. His head was directed straight ahead where he probably would have been able to see Sarah and I.

"Yeah uh," Lucas got up from the desk. "Sarah came in and Sydney this is Devin, Devin this is Sydney."

Devin's lips parted and he nodded in recognition. "Oh the new girl. Hey Sydney." Sarah was texting on her phone but said hi as she sat down at our desks.

I put my bag down. "Hi Devin."

"I've heard of you before. Too bad I can't exactly see you."

I was confused then I realized what he meant after a moment. Devin laughed a bit and nodded , answering for me. "Yeah I'm blind. Legally. I can see light."

He reached for something beside him and lifted up a stick I had seen him walking with the other day when Lucas and I had that apparently moment in the hallway. 

Lucas was staring at his friend with sympathy. Hell so was I and Sarah.  I didn't know how but Devin was able to sense it when he turned his body to kind of face Lucas. "Dude if you are giving me that face that makes you probably look like a puppy then I don't want to see it."

Lucas was about to say something when Devin held up a hand. "And yes I know that I can't actually see it shut the fuck up."

"God you'll forever be a dick Dev." Lucas muttered.

"I heard that." Devin grabbed his stick and swung it so that it actually hit Lucas in the stomach.

My hand covered my mouth as I tried to hold back laughter. Devin had a smirk on his lips as Lucas groaned. "You're so lucky I care about you." Lucas mumbled, getting off the desk and leaned on the desk next to me.

"You want to know how we met Sydney?"

"Sure." I said, he reminded me a bit of Timothy.

"So it was a bright day. I remember because I was outside and had my seeing eye dog, Kyle, with me. I've had Kyle for about seven years now. Anyway, I was with my dad and we were at the park, getting fresh air and stuff when a ball hit the back of my head. I probably still have the lump too."

"I said I was sorry mate. It was years ago."

"That doesn't make up for your lack of coordination. Long story short this idiot hit me because he can't play basketball properly. Ever since then I've had a small hatred for him."

"I hate you too." Lucas said with a tight smile before craning his neck at me. "Did you do the homework?"

"Y-Yeah." I stuttered, looking into the deep depth of his eyes behind his glasses.

Lucas sighed. "I didn't understand it."

"Of course you didn't. You're an idiot." Devin said, sliding his hand over the table and making a beat with his hand. The rhythm he was making made me raise my eyebrows at how coordinated it actually was.

"Um Devin what department are you in?"

"Music obviously. I play a variety of instruments specifically the piano." He said that was a small smile. I glanced at Lucas who had the corner of his lip raised up. That was pretty cool. I mean, Devin here was a prime example of what some people think could be impossible in the world.

The lunch bell rang and Lucas stood up and sat down next to Devin as I took my seat next to Sarah.

After a very boring class where Mrs. Olivera ended up talking about one of her cats, I packed up my books to head to my fourth period. Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Devin get up with the help of Lucas and see him pull out certain earphones out of his ears. They must be connected to something that can help him learn what was going on, I thought as a girl in our class went up to Devin as Lucas packed his bag.

Sarah looked up from her phone. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

I nodded as she exited the classroom and I put my binder in my backpack. "Hey." Lucas said behind me.

I whipped around to face him, only to almost stumble on my feet. He reached a hand out and held me right up. His hand-yes his hand- was now on my arm. I was wearing a short sleeve and this time I could fully feel whatever was going on with my body whenever he touched me. Goddamn it. My breath hitched and I was sure he heard me stop breathing as his eyes flickered from where his hand was on my arm to my eyes.

I didn't say anything and neither did he. We kind of just stared at one another and that's when I noticed he wasn't wearing his glasses at the moment. I could count the amount of light freckles over the bridge of his nose. I see his eyes, the intensity that must run in family because they all had this in their eyes.

Those intense eyes just stared at me. Fuck was it possible to love them that much?

"Sydney, Lucas you're going to be late to your next class if you don't get a move on." Mrs. Olivera's voice cut in.

I flinched for a moment and Lucas still didn't take his eyes off me as he let his hand off my arm. I tore my gaze away quickly, grabbing my backpack and hiking it on my shoulders in rapid speed.

Lucas walked in front of me as we exited the classroom before falling back to walk behind me through the throng of students. "How's the duet going?"

I glimpsed at him to already find him staring at me. "Um, I-I guess it's going okay. We went through dress rehearsal yesterday and the dance came along really well."

"What is the dance like? What type?"

"Lyrical. Romantic-kind of."

"Is it awkward?"

"Not really-it's acting and I do that for most of my dances anyway."

"I don't think it's acting for Isaac." Lucas mumbled as we turned down the hallway.

"Huh?"

"I know that he's interested in you." Lucas said with a smile. That smile was a type I didn't recognize on his face.

I'm taken back to the moment yesterday about what Joey said about me. "Apparently I'm not interesting." I said it with dislike and I wanted to take it back ever since it came out of my mouth.

Lucas quickly stood in front of me to stop me right outside my classroom. "What?"

"Um, your brother-your twin...said I wasn't interesting and some other things."

Lucas' head raised but kept his eyes on me. I could see his jaw-and yes his jaw line was pretty impressive-clench and he gritted his teeth. "He said that?" His voice was low and I could feel it all the way to my toes. Dear God.

"Y-Yeah."

Lucas closed his eyes briefly and took a visible deep breath, exhaling through his mouth and I could smell that he was chewing on Juicy Fruit gum.

When his eyes snapped open, the bell decided to ring and I realized I should enter the classroom. "Um...don't you have a class to get to? You'll, uh, be late."

"Spare," he said with a small smile that sent my heart thudding faster than it was supposed to. "I'll see you tomorrow Sydney." He walked past me, leaving me with the faint memory of what he smelled like.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I had gotten on the bus, I didn't realize that Eduardo had taken that certain bus home. I sat down on a seat on the bus while, Eduardo decided to sway side to side on the pole near me, throwing his head back while our bags were on my lap. He looked like a high monkey.

I couldn't stop laughing though. We are the only ones on the bus and the bus driver hadn't said anything but the look on his face made my laughter eventually get louder.

"You're incredibly weird you know that?"

"Yes, yes I do." He took the seat next to me as the bus made a stop. "How are you these days Siddy?"

"I'm good, what about you?"

"Well since you asked," he sighed heavily and dramatically leaned his head on my shoulder. "Nothing's wrong so far. I mean my family is good. My sister is still annoying, I have no idea why the hell she's still living with us though. There's nothing wrong with me and Mary Anne. Yeah we're pretty good. Although I have to go help her dad out this weekend but he's a pretty chill guy."

"Have long have you guys been together?"

It didn't even take him a second to answer. "Since the Halloween dance in ninth grade."

"You've been together for almost-"

"Three years? Yup."Eduardo had a large smile on his face as he took his bag back. "We've had a lot of up and downs but somehow we've made it. The only question is what might happen after we graduate."

"You don't know yet?"

Eduardo shook his head. "It's kind of a topic we try to avoid." Eduardo looked past my head and at the street we were on before clicking the stop button that was attached to the pole he had been swaying on. "I'll see you tomorrow Siddy. Tell your boyfriend I say hi."

He got up and I gaped at him. "Lucas is not my boyfriend!"

"Whoever said I said Lucas?" He smirked at me before walking to the front of the bus.

I watched him get off the bus and stand by the side as it drove by waving goodbye to me with a big knowing smile on his face. Right now I was currently wondering what the hell Mary Anne sees in this guy but then again she won't stop bugging me about the whole Lucas thing either.

When I was walking up the street and walked on the newly put path and up to the gate. I clicked the intercom button and a voice spoke up. "And who is this?" a gravelly voice said.

I looked up to the camera that was pointing at me. "Um Sydney Acosta...here for Phillip's dance."

"Sorry Ms. Acosta it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Bradley."

"Um...hello Bradley." The response I got to that was that the gates open and I was able to enter. I walked up to the house and rang the doorbell this time without the door swinging open. One of the brothers opened the door up. I think he was Christian and he was dressed sweats and a grey t-shirt.

"Hey Sydney."

"Uh hi."

"Come in." He gestured and stepped aside for me to enter the grand and forever big house.

Christian and I were about to step forward when a phew sound went through the air and quickly Christian pulled me back before my face could be speared by an arrow. "Whoa."

My eyes widened as Greg came into view, his bow positioned properly and but he immediately put it down when he saw me. "Shit sorry."

"I-It's okay." I said, a little traumatized.

He walked over to the wall and pulled the arrow out. "See it's harmless, it's not going to kill you." He flicked the suction cup part at the front before putting it in the bag where other fake arrows were sticking out.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Katniss? Mum will kill you once she finds out you've been shooting at Phillip again." Christian warned him.

Greg's eyes widened as he whipped to face his brother. "No, no, no you cannot tell her."

"Give me fifty bucks." Christian put his hand out.

Greg's jaw dropped. "No way. You probably have two hundred dollars in your pocket at the moment. What makes you think I'll give you my money?"

Christian took a step back before clearing his throat. "MUM-"

Greg slapped a hand over his mouth. "Okay, okay." Greg pulled out a blue wallet from the back of his pants, handing his brother the money. "There it is."

I stared at them and at Christian's smug grin. $50? Let alone $200 in his pocket? Wow I barely had a dollar in my pocket. Not even. I think all I had was a nickel.

Christian took the money quickly, pocketing it in his gym shorts. "Great...now I'll have you know mum isn't even home at the moment."

Greg's jaw dropped and he pushed his brother. "Give me my money back you asshat!"

Before Christian could even push him away, another person came into view and started pelleting the area with ...Nerf darts?

"Die!" Phillip screamed, clicking the trigger over and over to a point where Christian was on the ground covering his face and Greg was currently in armadillo position. Phillip noticed I was here and put down the nerf gun.

"Hi Sydney." He said with an adorable grin.

"Hey." I said a little uncertainly because I knew from the past times I've met him that there was no telling exactly what went through this child's mind.

He threw the nerf gun at Greg who flinched as it hit his back and fell back down. "That's for trying to hit me with arrows."

Greg got up slowly, huffing. "Great so I lose fifty dollars and my little brother just took me down," He started to walk up the grand staircase, raising his hands. "I give up. I'm living with a bunch of conniving, filthy animals. You are all completely disgusting."

I think that he's overreacting but I don't live with these people. After a multiple ideas with Phillip in the ballroom. We were sitting on the ground talking to one another when the door opened and Liz came in, her long jet black hair in a high ponytail. She smiled as Phillip ran over and hugged his mother. "Hi mum."

"How's my Leonardo today?" She asked him tiredly.

Phillip beamed. "I have so much to tell you about today."

She looked over him and gave me a tired smile. "Sydney I know it's only an hour before you are finished but you can go home if you'd like."

I nodded. "Thanks Mrs. Cahill."

"Call me Liz." She reassured as Phillip semi dragged her out of the room, waving a bye to me.

I pulled on my sweatpants and sweater and slung my duffle bag over my shoulder. I padded out of the large room, my quiet footsteps seeming as if they were talking loud and yelling on the floor. When I had pushed the door open, I didn't expect to bump against something or rather someone.

"Shit, are you okay?" HeHe asked me.

I froze, blinking frantically as he helped me stand properly. I looked at him up and down. He wore Adidas pants- the first sign of sportswear I've ever seen him wear even though I knew that most people who wore the brand didn't have to be into sports it was kind of shocking from him.

His hair-his hair was slightly wet and matted down on his head, the absence of a beanie very open. His shirt said 'All Time Low' on it and the socks he was wearing were black with white strips to match his pants.

Even though Joey and Lucas had the same face and this person wasn't wearing his glasses, I knew out of pure instinct that it was Lucas I was standing in front of and that's why I could barely get the words out.

"I-I'm okay."

He gave me a small smile, releasing his hands from me and stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Good, good, uh I was going to find you and Phillip but since you're here...want to check something out?"

You? I'm already doing that.

I swallowed hastily. "Y-Yeah sure."

He lent a hand out, tugging my duffle bag and backpack off my shoulders and carrying it himself. "Let's go."

We started walking through the house until we came to a stop at a large door. Lucas pushed it opened and gestured for me to step inside first. I looked around the large room and my eyes widened. It was huge. Damn it was so big.

There was a skylight, bringing the sun's fading light into the center of the room. The room was circular with circular bookshelves. There was a big window seat and comfy chairs in the center of the decorated room. I was amazed.

"I know." Lucas said, looking in awe himself even though he lived here. "I come here a lot. This is probably my favorite place in the entire house."

He dropped my bags on a chair before going over to a book shelf and pulling out a book. He led me over to the window seat where we had a clear view of the garden in the backyard. I could spot the fountain in midst of the garden, the brightly colored flowers and someone watering them. Lucas sat down and I sat at least a foot away, not knowing what to do if I was really that close to him.

He put the book between us and I scanned the cover. "The Color P-Purple?"

He nodded, hiking his feet up on the seat and crossing his legs in my direction. "You don't like reading?"

I shook my head and I could see the look on his face that I had imagined when we had talked on the phone that day. Pure and utter disbelief. "You really don't like reading?"

"I don't." I admitted.

"I don't get it." He said, looking puzzled. He raked his fingers through his slightly wet hair and some of the strands stuck up while some fell over and back.

"H-How?" I asked him, his gaze on me was so intense, my hands started shaking a bit. Why? I asked myself, shoving them in my pocket.

Lucas stared at me in frustration. I didn't understand why he looked frustrated but then I realized something back to when I was with him in the art room. He didn't like being questioned or explaining things thoroughly.

His frustration broke and I could see him struggle to find the words. "I don't know. I mean whenever I read...it's like going through the adventure of someone else's life and one can escape reality for a couple of seconds."

I nodded in understanding. "I get that. I do, but, um, it's different for other people."

Lucas nodded in understanding, using his finger to trace the bottom of the window sill. "There's this girl I met months ago. She's one of my brother's girlfriend. She likes reading too but it's different than whenever I read."

"How?" I asked again.

Lucas had that look of frustration again but pushed it aside quickly as his lips parted to form an answer. "Well when I read I kind of block out everything and everyone. It's the same whenever I paint or draw."

"How did you start? Painting, I uh, mean." I asked him, keeping my eyes trained on the wind blowing the flowers.

"I don't actually remember," Lucas bit his lip briefly, looking smoldering. "I think it was when I was three and I made my first finger painting. I got a blue smiley face sticker."

He smiled and I met his gaze to give him an awkward smile back. I wasn't trying to make it awkward but I knew I couldn't do something straight when I was around him. "Don't do that." He abruptly said.

"What?" I asked quietly in confusion.

"Don't get nervous." He murmured, swinging his legs down and moving closer to me, placing the book on his lap.

"I-I'm not nervous." I cowardly stuttered.

"Do I make you nervous?" He shifted closer and my heart pounded in my chest. Was this normal? I didn't think it was. I was going to start suffocating by whatever was going on when the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

I didn't answer first. Holy shit, yeah he made me nervous. I didn't say anything but closed my mouth and nodded slowly.

"Why?" His voice was down to a whisper that made me hold my breath.

"I-I don't even know why." I owned up.

"'Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you'."

"Who said that?" I questioned.

"Roger Ebert."

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I quickly and unsteadily took it out, reading the text message that my mom was here. Liz must've told her that we ended early.

"You have to go?" He asked me, standing up and pushing his hair back. Was it possible that that one action made some look unbelievably sexy at the moment? His hair was usually gelled into spikes that made him look younger but this, here, he looked mature and way too good for anyone even if his hair was slightly messy. But it was the hot kind of messy. For once I sounded like Kim because I never thought that I would ever think of something like that.

But right now it was possible.

I stood up too as he grabbed my things. We walked out of the room and through different hallways in silence. When we reached the front corridor, Lucas had handed me my bags. I hiked my backpack on my shoulders and held my duffle bag in my hand. "Um...thanks."

Lucas tilted his head at me and that's when I realized that the house was very quiet even with the amount of people that lived here. "Don't be nervous."

"What?"

"Don't be nervous around me. Don't," He took a step forward. He stood in front of me. So close. I could smell his breath and I knew he had been chewing on gum before I saw him. Juicy fruit. I could smell his cologne and I tried hard not to visibly inhale his scent. Crap. He leaned forward, his mouth by my ear and I shivered as he whispered. "But for your info...you make me nervous too."

He pulled back, opened the door for me and gave me a faint smile as I walked down the steps and he closed the door behind him.

One word: Fuck.