Immaculate Hands

"Next time don't change the topic. I really want to know what happened to the girl who saved me. And I want to know her name too." Jenny alighted the pickup truck as soon as she said her piece, without even giving Lucas a goodbye kiss.

A few meters away, she stopped in her tracks and walked back to the brooding boy. "I'm not mad. I'm… I'm just disappointed." Jenny exhaled. She stood by the driver's seat door, her head hung low. Lucas leaned closer, capturing her lips, ruthlessly nipping on them to which Jenny retaliated with a soft kiss when he stopped.

When he realized they were making out in public, he forced himself to pull away before anybody sees them. He rubbed her not so swollen lips with his thumb and said 'sorry'. With their imaginary tension glass gone, they smile at each other like lovesick fools.

"Do you have plans after school? I have to go back to the academy later tonight, and I was thinking of picking you up and maybe eat something nice for dinner."

Jenny pouted. She totally forgot about his schooling. How could days fly so quickly when they were together and slow down when they were apart? "Can you pick me up later then? I can help you pack your clothes."

Lucas nodded. He started the engine and drove to the Wan Household after Jenny's shadow disappeared in his rearview mirror.

...

Wan Household

When he reached his room, he pulled out a black duffel bag under his bed and opened it, delicately taking out all the contents one by one. He placed the clothing back to its designated spot inside his closet, patting it twice.

Madam Wan stepped out of the master bedroom with a book in her hand — "Chocolat" by Joanne Harris. Upon seeing her eldest son's bedroom door open, she walked and hugged the doorframe. She watched her son's back, reminiscing his three foot tall days. Her lips curled when she saw him diligently fix his bag. She stopped when she realized he was doing it in reverse. She thought to herself, didn't he finished packing his stuff already? 

Madam Wan covered her mouth the second she realized that Jenny must have said something which made his baby boy unpack his belongings. She instantly frowned, remembering Yiu Lala's offensive words about her son.

"Are you serious with Jenny, sweetie?" Lucas, caught by surprise when his mother's voice rang behind him. He turned his back and walked towards her, kissing her on her hair.

"Mmm," he said, walking back to his bed. Madam Wan pursed her lips upon hearing his answer. Of course, her son is dead serious. Who would dare date Lala's precious daughter even without her blessing?

"You know, sweetie… Lala is just letting you guys date because she thinks you two will break up eventually," she said in a matter-of-factly way.

Lucas looked at his mom and faintly smiled before continuing with his task. Afterward, he sat down on the edge of his bed and patted the empty space beside him. Madam Wan obliged, resting her head on his son's shoulder.

"Stop worrying about trivial matters, mom." Lucas squeezed his mother's arm. "I called her mother-in-law last night. You should have seen her face," Lucas smirked.

"Sweetie!" Madam Wan could not believe what her son just said. They laughed in unison at the thought of an infuriated Yiu Lala. When their laughter died down, mother and son sat in comfortable silence, listening to occasional chants of soldiers on a boot camp. 

...

Bay Institute

Another forgettable school day was about to end. Students nervously sat in their seats, excited to go home and watch their favorite anime. Yesterday, Goku and Piccolo[1] officially started their weeklong match and the students - boys and girls alike - were beyond excited to the point of even placing bets on who would come out victorious.

Lucas saw the Hilltop Friends come out of the school gates. Jenny craned her neck in search of her prince charming and waved her hand high the instant she saw his truck. Lucas alighted the car to open the door for her, but she walked straight to the pickup's cargo. 

One by one, the friends climbed on the cargo, Grant drumming the top of the vehicle. Lucas eyed his brother, making the latter stop his noise pollution. Next, he helped Jenny climbed over but his hand held tightly on her, not wanting to let go. 

"Let me ride at the back just once, pleeeeease!" She fanned her long eyelashes, entrancing the hesitant boy to succumb under her bewitchment. He let out a defeated sigh but did not forget to warn her, "If I see you stand up, you will automatically sit in the passenger seat." Jenny bit her lower lip and nodded her head. Her face was blushing at Lucas's display of concern.

Grant, Hugo, and, Reid stood up while the girls sat down in the pickup's cargo. A surge of adrenaline sent them into overdrive when the engine started.

"All aboooooooard!" Grant yelled. He also sent a salute to a man in uniform, standing guard by the gates, "Goodbye, brother guard!" 

The friends closed their eyes, savoring their momentary adventure. They sang in chorus to the rhythm of their youth, and their hair danced with the wind, producing a picture-perfect ensemble.

...

Wan Household

The Hilltop Friends were welcomed by Madam Wan, who was busily rearranging the pots in the garden. They filed in a line to "mano po" [2] their auntie. 

Aside from Lucas and Jenny, the rest stayed on the main floor and helped Madam Wan with her plants. Later, a helper brought out a trolley filled with pastries and tea for a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Meanwhile, in Lucas's room, Jenny busied herself, packing clothes for her babe. Lucas stood by the door, adoring the breathtaking beauty before him, loving every movement of what seemed like a tiny little wife.

Jenny zipped the bag when she was done, dusting her hands afterward. She moved closer to Lucas, and cheekily smiled. Caught by the moment, Lucas did not notice that the bewitching fairy had pushed the door closed and locked it as well.

She tiptoed, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed him. She pulled him to the bed using her weight, her lips never leaving his. He opened his mouth to taste more of her kisses, holding the small of her back. But instead of the bed, they walked back to the door, driving Jenny to open her eyes.

Lucas pulled away from their embrace and opened the door, leaving a tiny crack. Jenny stomped towards the bed, disappointed at him.

"Your friends are here. Don't let their imagination run wild." He poked her puffed from anger cheek. She side-glanced Lucas, giving him a good kick on the side of his calf. He hugged his little ball of fire, pulling her down the bed. She rested her head in his chest, listening to his labored heartbeat.

"Jennyyyy!"

"Lucaaaas!"

"Jennyyyy!"

"Whaaat?" She asked in a singsong manner, raising the white flag up in their silly little game.

Lucas pulled her up so their faces would be parallel. He could finally see her eyes that mirrored his face. He took a deep breath and selfishly thought how he wished to be the only person her eyes could reflect.

"Promise me you will push through with your admission procedures in Harvard," the last syllable got caught in his throat that he had to cough a bit. Jenny noticed his hesitance, yet she nodded her head and agreed with him. "I will visit you every month, too," he continued when he got the answer that he wanted.

"Should I start collecting art pieces?" Jenny beamed at his question. Although she wanted him to start collecting, she would rather have him build a warehouse for her collection first, but before she could say what's on her mind, Lucas whispered in her ears, "I prepared a vault for you." Jenny cupped his face and peppered it with kisses, "You're the best! Mwaaaaah!" She smacked her lips onto his, creating a loud sound.

Jenny had a passion for art and history. Back in the day, she would shadow Patriarch Yiu to every excavation site and be awestruck at the mixture of dirt and broken pieces of fine old china vases. These broken pieces would be restored by her grandfather's immaculate hands, of course, with her intently watching like a good apprentice in the background. That is why she didn't had a hard time choosing which course to take during their senior career day. 

"What if we break up? What if it won't work?" her eyes started to pool in tears, but before a tear could drop, Lucas bit her lower lip. Her eyes closed, her hand clutched on his shirt. She fought back and kissed him deeply, longingly. They kissed until they ran out of breath, leaning their foreheads together.

"Unless you say it's over, then it's over." Lucas smiled, albeit bitterly. He could give her a comfortable life. He could give her the world. But how could he do that when the bewitching fairy in his arm is learning how to fly?

He should not cut her wings, nor keep her in a golden cage. She was meant to spread her wings and soar above the beautiful and borderless sky.

Edited by Swaning