Chapter 7: Finding His Place

The days following Lucas' first day of school passed in a blur. Each morning, he woke up, dressed in the crisp uniform, and followed Theo to school. The routine was simple, predictable—something Lucas found both comforting and strange. He wasn't used to stability, to a life that felt… normal.

Theo made sure he was never alone, whether it was at school or at home. At first, Lucas wasn't sure how to feel about it, but over time, he began to appreciate Theo's presence. His outgoing nature filled the silence Lucas often found himself drowning in. He didn't demand responses or force conversations—he just existed beside him, making sure Lucas knew he wasn't alone.

At school, things were slowly becoming easier. Lucas still didn't talk much, but people were kind to him. Emily would save him a seat at lunch, and Jake often talked to him about video games, even though Lucas barely contributed to the conversations. He wasn't quite ready to open up, but the weight of being an outsider was starting to lift.

One afternoon, during break, Theo and his friends sat under a tree in the schoolyard, laughing about something Lucas had only half-heard. He leaned against the trunk, letting the breeze wash over him. For the first time in a long time, he wasn't consumed by the past—he was just… here.

"You ever play soccer?" Jake suddenly asked, tossing a ball between his hands.

Lucas hesitated before shaking his head. "Not really."

Jake grinned. "Wanna try?"

Lucas almost said no. Almost. But then he saw Theo watching him, waiting—not pressuring, just hoping.

"…Okay."

Theo jumped up. "Alright, let's do this!"

That evening, back at home, Lucas found himself sitting on the couch next to Theo, watching a show. Mr. Carter walked in, smiling at the sight. "It's nice to see you boys getting along."

Lucas glanced at Theo, who was laughing at the screen, completely at ease. Something inside him softened. This wasn't his old life, but maybe… maybe it could be something good too.

As bedtime approached, Lucas lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He still missed his parents. The ache hadn't gone away. But for the first time since the accident, it felt like the darkness wasn't as suffocating as before.

Maybe, just maybe, healing had begun.