Summer festival [9]

Lukas woke up to the soft rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains, a faint warmth touching his face. He rubbed his eyes, the lingering drowsiness slowly fading. He glanced at the clock late morning. Not too bad, but enough for him to have missed any real chance at sleeping in.

His room felt quiet. The air was still, and as usual, the house had a certain calmness to it on weekends. Lukas stretched, pulled himself out of bed, and made his way to the living room, hoping to grab a drink before the world fully hit him.

He stepped into the living room, and the first thing that caught his attention was Claire, sprawled out on the couch. She looked peaceful, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath. The sight was oddly soothing. Lukas started to be attached to her, though it was never romantic. He didn't think of her that way, even though she was a constant presence in his life. It was more like a sibling someone to talk to, to laugh with, mostly laugh at, even if the conversations weren't always deep.

He quietly grabbed a glass from the counter and poured himself some water. He wasn't sure if she had fallen asleep while watching TV or if she just decided to rest, but seeing her this way made him feel comfortable in a way he couldn't quite explain. It was easy to forget how complicated their relationships were when everything was so simple.

He took a seat beside her, setting his glass down on the coffee table. Claire stirred a bit but didn't wake up. Her breathing slowed as he leaned back into the couch, the quiet stillness of the moment stretching out around him.

Then, his phone buzzed.

Thinking it was Soren, Lukas reached for the phone but paused when he saw the message came from an unknown number. His brow furrowed, confused. He hesitated before opening it, still half-expecting it to be one of his friends, maybe Soren messing with him.

But when he opened the message, it wasn't Soren.

It was just a simple greeting, "Hey, it's Emma from class. Wanna come with me to the summer festival, i know we dont talk but i was thinking..."

Lukas blinked, taking a moment to process the message. Emma? He vaguely remembered her—she was in his class, but they barely spoke. She was one of those people who blended into the background, always polite but never really standing out. They had shared a few casual conversations, but nothing that would ever lead to something like this.

He read the message again, unsure what to make of it. It didn't feel like a prank, though that was his first instinct. Still, he wasn't the type to just go off with someone he barely knew, especially to a festival. He was more comfortable hanging out with his usual group—Soren, Claire, Stephan, and Ivy. He liked having his close circle. Going off on his own with someone like Emma felt like a stretch.

Before he could type a response, another message appeared, this time shorter but with a different tone.

"Never mind. You probably don't wanna hang out with someone like me anyways. I get it."

Lukas sat still, the words hitting him harder than he expected. There was something about that second message, the hint of disappointment that made him feel like he had been too quick to dismiss her. It wasn't her fault if she thought he wasn't interested. The guilt twisted in his stomach.

He sighed, feeling the weight of the decision pressing on him. Maybe he had been too hasty. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get to know her better, even if it was just for today. Plus, he didn't want to leave her feeling awkward if she was just trying to be friendly.

He quickly typed back. "Sorry, yeah id like that. I'll come. I don't have anything else planned anyway."

Lukas hit send, feeling a little unsure of himself but also relieved. He placed the phone down, standing up to get dressed. As he got ready and was ready to leave

Claire stirred on the couch, groaning slightly as she stretched, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. Lukas froze, mid-step, glancing over his shoulder. She blinked a few times, trying to shake off the sleep.

"Where are you going?" Claire asked, her voice thick with sleep.

Lukas hesitated, still caught off guard by her sudden wakefulness. It was a simple question, but it made him feel a little uncomfortable. Normally, he'd just tell her he was going out with the others. But today... he wasn't sure why, but he didn't want to bring the group into this.

"The store," he answered quickly, hoping it sounded casual enough. It was technically true, in a way.

Claire gave a slow, sleepy nod, stretching her arms above her head. "Okay, I guess. Have fun." She seemed to be only half-listening, already sinking back down into the cushions.

Lukas stood for a moment longer, watching her. She wasn't going to press him. She never did. It was one of the things he liked about her she understood boundaries without even needing to be told.

He gave a small smile, a mix of relief and something else—something he couldn't quite place—before he turned and headed for the door.

Claire was already drifting back into her comfortable spot, her form barely visible under the blanket, but Lukas couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He didn't know why, but something about not telling her the whole truth felt off.

Maybe it was nothing.

Maybe he was just overthinking.

Lukas stepped out of the house, the cool evening air brushing against his face. His mind was scattered, thoughts drifting between the last-minute decision to meet up with Emma and the quiet, nagging feeling that lingered in his chest. He had left without waking Claire, without telling her where he was going. It was a strange choice—normally, they did everything together. But today, for some reason, he'd decided to go it alone. Or, at least, alone with Emma.

The night was already turning into a quiet blur when he met Emma at the small café in town. She was sitting by the window, her smile bright as soon as she saw him approach. The soft hum of the café's background noise mixed with the clinking of coffee cups and the smell of fresh pastries. Lukas wasn't sure what he had expected, but he hadn't anticipated this—just the two of them, no one else around.

"Hey," Emma greeted, standing up to give him a casual hug. "You made it."

Lukas nodded, offering a faint smile. "Yeah," He felt a little out of place, unsure of how to act around Emma. He'd seen her before, of course, but never alone like this.

"Good to see you," she said, her eyes glinting with a friendly, easy energy. "Ready for the festival?"

Lukas nodded again, his mind wandering. He had told himself he'd be fine just a little fun, a break from the usual. But as they started walking around, Lukas couldn't help but notice the odd feeling gnawing at him. Everything was fine. He and Emma were talking, laughing even, about random things movies, what they did through summer, stories. Yet, in the back of his mind, the image of Claire, still at home, alone.

He felt guilty. Claire was his roommate, they havent known eachother for long, She wasn't a classmate either, but she was part of his daily life. And now, here he was, out with Emma, leaving Claire behind without even a second thought.

I should've invited her, Lukas thought as he shoved his hands into his pockets. She might've wanted to come...

But then another thought crossed his mind what if she didn't? Claire could be fine, probably still fast asleep on the couch, not caring about the festival or anything else. But still, Lukas couldn't shake the guilt. He was supposed to be close with Claire, not leaving her like this.

But deep down, there was another worry. What if I'm just annoying? Lukas tried to brush the thought aside, but it stuck. It had happened before his habit of hovering, of maybe being a little too much. He wasn't sure Claire would want him around all the time, and he didn't want to disturb her peaceful morning. Besides, he had already made the decision, and there was no turning back.

The sounds of the festival started to grow louder as they walked closer to the gathering. The air was thick with excitement bright lights illuminated the streets, and the scent of food wafted through the air, mixing with the occasional sound of laughter. Emma was talking excitedly about some of the booths she wanted to check out, but Lukas was only half-listening. His mind kept drifting back to Claire.

Emma must have noticed his distraction because she shot him a curious look. "Everything okay?" she asked, her voice soft but concerned.

Lukas quickly shook himself out of his thoughts, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just thinking."

"About what?" she pressed gently.

Lukas hesitated for a moment before replying. "Nothing," he said, his voice soft, barely audible. His eyes darted away, avoiding Emma's gaze as the word slipped out.

Emma raised an eyebrow, her gaze steady but curious. "Really?" she asked, her tone light but probing. "You sure? You seemed a little... distant for a second there." She leaned in slightly, "You know what, its okay, i wont annoy you by asking You, lets enjoy ourselves okay?"

Lukas nodded, her words momentarily silencing the guilt. "Yeah, you're right."

They continued walking, and the mood lightened, the conversation shifting to the upcoming events of the festival. Lukas tried to focus on the excitement of the night the flashing lights, the music, the people laughing and shouting around them. They found a small food stall where Emma bought them both a fried snack, and for a while, the guilt that had been consuming him faded into the background. He laughed at Emma's jokes, joined her in some playful banter with the vendors, and allowed himself to get caught up in the energy of the festival.

However, as the night wore on, Lukas began to feel the shift in his dynamic with Emma. The conversations became more personal, the silences between them more comfortable. He was starting to realize that they were closer than he had expected, and the connection felt... different.

As they walked toward the heart of the festival, where the lights were brighter and the music louder, Lukas felt the subtle shift in his body language. Emma's hand brushed his as they both reached for the same booth, and for a second, his pulse quickened. He didn't know why, but there was a warmth in the touch, something that sent a spark of electricity through him.

Lukas shifted, unsure of how to handle the moment. He could feel the tension building between them as they walked closer and closer, side by side. It wasn't just the night or the lights or the festival. There was something deeper in the way they moved together, something he hadn't expected to happen.

As they passed under a string of lanterns, Emma leaned a little closer, her voice dropping slightly. "You know, I'm glad you came. I've been wanting to spend more time with you."

Lukas swallowed, the words hanging in the air, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fall away. The guilt about Claire, the lingering doubt—it all seemed irrelevant in that moment, eclipsed by the closeness he was feeling with Emma.

But it was also strange. Too close. Too much too quickly.

Lukas wasn't sure where this was headed, but in the back of his mind, the nagging thought returned: What about Claire? Would she have wanted to be here, too? Would she have felt just as close to him if she had been invited?

He tried to shake off the feeling, but as they continued walking, he knew that things were starting to shift between him and Emma and it was happening faster than he thought.

After the festival, Lukas and Emma walked slowly down the quiet streets, the sounds of the event still echoing faintly in the distance. The night air was cool against their skin, but there was an undeniable warmth between them. The city was quieter now, the lights casting soft glows on the pavement as they walked side by side.

They talked casually, but the conversation was different now, more comfortable. Emma had this easy smile, and Lukas found himself drawn to her in a way that felt... unexpected. The night had been fun, but now there was a tension between them, something unspoken that lingered in the air.

As they neared Emma's house, the world seemed to quiet down around them. She stopped walking, turning to face Lukas. For a moment, there was a strange stillness, the kind that only happens when two people are caught in a moment between what is and what could be.

Emma took a small step forward, her eyes meeting Lukas's, and there it was again—this pull, this feeling that they were on the edge of something. She leaned in slightly, her lips parted, and Lukas's heart began to race.

Before he knew it, he found himself leaning in too, drawn toward her with an intensity he hadn't expected. Just as their faces were inches apart, ready for a kiss,

Bzzt,

Lukas froze, pulling away quickly, and looked down at his phone in disbelief. Soren was calling.

"Ugh, seriously?" Lukas muttered, pulling the phone out and answering it almost immediately, his voice a little strained. "What is it, Soren?"

Soren's voice came through, urgent. "Lukas, you need to get over here. Something's happening. I can't explain, just come."

Lukas's heart was still pounding from the near kiss, but he could tell Soren was serious. "Soren, it's late—what's going on?"

"I can't say right now, but it's important. Just come."

Lukas sighed, glancing at Emma, who stood silently, watching him. "Alright, I'll be there," he said, hanging up the phone and stuffing it back into his pocket. He turned to Emma, his heart still racing, but now with a mix of frustration and confusion.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, his voice apologetic. "Something came up. I have to go."

Emma blinked, her expression unreadable. "Oh. Okay. I understand." Her voice was soft, though there was a hint of disappointment there. "I guess this is where we say goodbye for tonight?"

Lukas nodded, trying to read her face. "Yeah, I'm really sorry. I didn't expect this."

She gave him a small, almost sad smile. "It's fine. I understand. You take care of whatever it is."

"Thanks," Lukas said quietly, his words heavy with meaning. He wanted to say more, but he wasn't sure what. So, instead, he gave her a small wave before turning and walking away.

As he walked down the street, the frustration from the interrupted moment gnawed at him. He couldn't help but feel torn. There was something about Emma that felt... right, but now there was this lingering question in his mind: what about Claire? He had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts and feelings that he hadn't considered how things might affect her.

But before he could dwell too much, Lukas heard another sound—a sudden buzzing from his phone. He took it out and checked the screen, already knowing who it was.

Soren again.

After helping Soren with whatever situation he had gotten himself into, Lukas finally made his way home. It had been a long night, and his mind was still spinning from the strange turn of events with Emma. He couldn't quite shake the feeling of how close he had come to kissing her, but now there was something else nagging at him Claire. He had been thinking about her too, and he wasn't sure what to make of the mix of feelings.

When he walked into the house, the faint smell of burnt food hit him first. He stepped into the kitchen, only to find Claire standing at the stove, surrounded by a sea of ingredients and scattered utensils. Flour was dusted over the counter, and bits of food seemed to be everywhere. She was clearly trying to cook, but it was evident that the kitchen was more of a battlefield than a place for a meal.

Lukas couldn't help but smile at the sight. She looked so focused, but the mess was... well, a bit of a disaster. He crept up behind her, trying to suppress a grin.

Before he could say anything, Claire turned around quickly, her reflexes sharper than he expected. She swung a fist, punching him straight in the chest.

"Ah!" Lukas laughed, surprised but amused. "What was that for?"

"Don't sneak up on me!" Claire grinned, wiping her hands on her apron, though the flour smeared even further. "You scared me half to death."

Lukas chuckled, rubbing his chest where she had hit him. "Sorry, but you looked like you were about to burn down the kitchen."

They both laughed, the tension from the night seeming to melt away. Lukas quickly grabbed a cloth and started wiping down the counter, cleaning up the mess Claire had made. She walked around him, humming lightly as she paced around the kitchen.

"So, what's up with you tonight?" Claire asked as she watched him clean. "You look like you've been through something."

Lukas sighed, wiping the last bit of flour off the counter. "You could say that. Soren needed some help with something weird. He wouldn't explain, but it took a while."

"Help with something weird?" Claire raised an eyebrow, leaning against the kitchen island, crossing her arms. "Sounds suspicious. What happened?"

Lukas shrugged, his thoughts briefly flashing back to his earlier conversation with Soren. "He wouldn't really tell me. Just said he needed me to come over. Something about needing help with... I don't know, some problem."

Claire gave him a pointed look, as if trying to figure out if he was being completely honest. "Well, if you're not gonna tell me, then I guess I'll just keep cooking, even if I'm not the best at it," she said, gesturing to the mess. "I might need your help here too."

Lukas chuckled and moved to the stove. "Let's see if we can salvage whatever this is. I'll cook this time, and you can just supervise."

Together, they worked in the kitchen, the awkwardness of earlier slowly fading as they settled into a comfortable rhythm. The moments passed easily, and Lukas couldn't help but think about how natural it felt to be with her in this space, even amidst the chaos.

After dinner was done and they sat down to eat, Lukas couldn't shake the thoughts of Emma. But as Claire laughed at some random thing she had said, the confusion he had been feeling seemed to melt away, just for a moment. Emma was still in his mind, but there was something about Claire too, something that was harder to define.

When he finally went to bed that night, he found himself staring at the ceiling, his mind racing. Emma's smile, the near kiss, and the lingering feelings that came with it were all there. But so was Claire, She made him feel, happy?, and her presence in his life was warm and much more complicated than he had expected.

He closed his eyes, trying to quiet the thoughts swirling in his mind, and drifted off to sleep, unsure of what tomorrow would bring.