Chapter 53
Lucian sat in the passenger seat of the sedan Jimmy had bought, gazing out the window at the city passing by. His bike was back at college he’d asked Parry to drop it off at his house. After all, Jimmy had shown up, and two vehicles just didn’t make sense.
The car moved slowly, the engine’s soft hum filling the silence. Jimmy drove with one hand on the steering wheel, his other arm resting out the open window, catching the occasional breeze. For a long time, neither of them spoke, as if both were waiting for the other to break the stillness.
Finally, Jimmy, eyes fixed on the road ahead, broke the silence. “So… what happened?” he asked, his voice careful, trying not to pry too hard.
Lucian didn’t look over; his gaze stayed locked on some indeterminate point in the distance. He chuckled softly, but it sounded hollow. “Nothing. Just… kids playing around.” He tried to brush it off with a laugh, but his voice betrayed him.
Jimmy shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Come on, Lucky. I know you better than that. You don’t act like this over ’nothing.’ If it were something small, you would’ve handled it yourself. But you called me. I know you need someone right now.
And I’m glad you think of me as the first person to call.”
Lucian’s shoulders slumped slightly as he sighed. For a moment, he struggled with his words, as if debating whether to let Jimmy in. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “Avey… she… she proposed to me today.”
The car jerked suddenly as Jimmy nearly lost control, his grip tightening around the wheel. He brought the sedan to an abrupt stop right in the middle of the road, eyes wide. The two sat in silence, neither reacting to the fact that they were stopped. Jimmy turned to look at Lucian, shock evident on his face.
“She did… what?” Jimmy’s voice was laced with disbelief.
Lucian finally turned to face him, his expression as neutral as he could manage, though his eyes gave him away, a storm of conflicting emotions flashing within them. “She proposed… and asked for forgiveness.”
They sat there, locked in a moment of shared understanding, before Jimmy broke the eye contact, starting the car again, focusing on the road as he processed what Lucian had just revealed.
“So… did you accept?” Jimmy asked through gritted teeth, already expecting Lucian’s answer but dreading it all the same. His hands gripped the steering wheel even tighter, his knuckles white.
“No,” Lucian replied, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze dropping to his hands, which were clenched tightly in his lap. “I… rejected her.”
Jimmy felt a wave of relief wash over him, but it was mingled with disbelief. He glanced over at Lucian, who was staring out the window, his expression unreadable but with a trace of sorrow shadowing his face.
“Lucky…” Jimmy murmured, trying to find the right words.
Jimmy pulled the car to the side of the road, bringing it to a halt. He turned in his seat to face Lucian. “Look at me.”
Slowly, Lucian turned to meet Jimmy’s gaze, his eyes hollow and tired, but beneath the surface, they trembled with uncertainty.
“Did I… do the right thing, Jimmy?” Lucian’s voice was barely audible, like he was scared to hear the answer. “I feel… complicated. Weird. Like part of me just tore away.” He paused, his voice catching. “When she asked, I didn’t know what to do. All my life, I’d dreamed of this moment, that she would finally notice me… but it happened after I’d already given up.
After I promised myself that I’d never let her hurt me again. Why now? Why… when I don’t have anything left to give?”
Jimmy’s face softened, and he reached over, pulling Lucian into a tight hug, resting Lucian’s head on his shoulder as he gently patted his friend’s back. “You did great, Lucian. You’re stronger than you think. I’m proud of you.”
Lucian didn’t resist; he let himself sink into the embrace, his shoulders shaking slightly as he fought back tears. “Why is the world so cruel, Jimmy? I’ve done everything right… I never hurt anyone… but it’s like life itself keeps trying to break me.”
Jimmy’s hand moved soothingly over Lucian’s back, grounding him. “You did great, Lucky. I know it hurts, but you were brave. You didn’t let your heart lead you down a road you’d regret. It takes strength to do that.”
Lucian’s voice cracked as he whispered, “When she asked, I felt my world shake. For a split second, I almost wanted to say yes… to throw myself back into that pain. But… I’m scared now, Jimmy. I’m tired of being hurt.”
“It’s alright, Lucian,” Jimmy’s voice was soft and comforting. “You’ve got me here. You’re not alone. You don’t need anyone else.”
Lucian managed a small nod, his voice trembling as he whispered, “Please… don’t ever leave me. If you do… I don’t know what I’d do.” His hands tightened around Jimmy, holding on as if he were the only thing keeping him grounded.
Jimmy’s own voice hitched as he whispered back, “I’m not going anywhere, don’t worry…well die together That’s a promise.”
They stayed that way, wrapped in silence, until Jimmy finally pulled back, patting Lucian’s shoulder. “Alright, alright. Enough with the waterworks. You’re gonna make me cry, and we don’t need two sobbing idiots in one car.” He wiped his own eyes with his sleeve, laughing weakly to break the tension.
Lucian laughed softly, wiping his tears. “Yeah… we’ll definitely go out together someday.” He forced a small, trembling smile onto his face.
“You’d better stick to that,” Jimmy chuckled, starting the car again. “Or you’ll regret it when I haunt you for dying before me.”
Lucian let out a small hum of agreement, a hint of a smile finally gracing his face as the car rolled forward again, the silence between them now feeling lighter, filled with unspoken promises and the comfort of unwavering friendship.
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