Reunion [44]

Lucas fiddled with the controls, turning the heater up and raising the windows up. As he started driving, I was preparing myself to give him the silent treatment, my face in a full pout mode. After what he had mentioned today in school, I was more intimidated by him. I wanted to erase that unfortunate day I met him but fate has different plans for me. I was being thrown into his gravity, over and over again, despite my desperation to stay away from him. It was me against the stars. And I knew I was losing.

"So what's the occasion tonight?" I realized sitting in silence would just cause my thoughts to spiral back into overthinking. So I decided to break the ice.

I glanced at him to study me with surprised eyes. Given the time, it had always been Lucas who would strike a conversation. But my sudden question had left him astonished. He looked the other way, on the street and answered.

"My siblings are coming over tonight. So Zach and I will be busy with the so called family reunion." His voice sounded irked.

"Your siblings? How many siblings do you have apart from Zach?" I asked stunned.

"A million of them." He answered.

I convinced myself he didn't mean it and was probably joking. He had a way of turning everything into a joke. To be honest, I was growing accustomed to this and I tried to get along with him.

"Why? Does your dad owns an orphanage?" I joked along and turned to his side.

He laughed and took a quick look at me, before again focusing on the road.

"No." He chuckled holding his laughter. "We are all blood related." His deep voice sounded softer. It was as if he was some different guy. This side of him was so rare and sweet.

"Is Zach your twin?" I comprehended they must be of same age since they are in the same class.

"He isn't. He is older than me"

"Then how are you both in the same class?" I didn't realize my voice was full of shock and surprise. I wondered how old Zach was. Lucas could pass as a guy from college. How old does that makes Zach?

"We've had some personal matters."

"What kind?" I was curious.

"Family related. Something I don't like to talk about." I noticed his jaw clench at the mention of family. I wondered what it was about his family. The last time he mentioned his dad had sent him and Zach here and they live on their own. By the amount of irritation his voice held, it was pretty clear he didn't like his family.

"Is it that bad?" My voice came out low and I tilted my head sideways a little to see find his face, in an attempt to read his expression. But there weren't any. His inscrutable eyes gave a very little away.

"Sort of, yeah." He muttered.

I felt like I had hit a nerve for him. He must probably not like talking about his family. Like the first time Cee had asked about them transferring here, he straight away ended the conversation. Now I know why, he had been dodging off our questions back then. He was not in good terms with his family. I wondered why?

The rain blurred everything outside the window into gray and green smudges. I began to realize we were driving very fast, the car moved so steadily, so evenly, though, I didn't feel the speed. Only the town flashing by gave it away.

"What are your siblings like? Are they all older than you?" I asked, thinking it would deviate his attention from his family and would lighten his mood.

"Some of them are older than me, some of them are of my age, some are younger than me. But the older ones are domineering jerks." He frowned and rotated the steering with one hand to make a turn.

I laughed at the way he described them.

"What?" His eyes were curious.

"Nothing." I suppressed my laughter and shook my head. "What do your siblings do?"

"Nothing other than bossing around and annoy me. They can be so pushy sometimes." That made me laugh even more. He was now completely facing me.

"Why are you laughing?" He was confused but there was a glimpse of a smile on his lips and his features were soft. I was enjoying this side of him.

"Your siblings sounds interesting." I snickered.

"Are you trying to side with them?" A smile was evident on his beautiful face.

"I think I should, since you are going to continue to annoy me I might as well side against you." I gritted my teeth in regret as the confession slipped out before I could avoid it.

The warm smile was gone now. Seriousness poured on his face and he stomped on the brakes. His sudden action scared me but then I realized we have already reached my house. The rain was so heavy that I could barely see the house. It was like the car was submerged under the river.

"Have I annoyed you a lot?" Since he was not driving now, he was completely facing me. He had a troubled expression.

 Yes. A lot. "Not really--- But yeah you do sometimes." I said instead of what I was intended to say. 

"That's a good thing then." He folded his hands across his chest and his smirk was back. His smirk was the evidence that he had already found a perfect answer to shut me up.

"Why is it a good thing?" I pouted.

"Because that means I still have a chance to impress you." He grinned.

Heat rose up from my heart to my face and to hide it, I turned away from him. I was about to open the door but he grabbed my hand by my elbow and pulled me back.

"Katherine--- wait!" He said pulling me back by grabbing my arm.