Chapter 10: The Unexpected Invitation

Lucas had never been invited to a birthday party before—not since the accident. So when Theo dropped an invitation onto his desk at lunch, he simply stared at it.

"You should come," Theo said, stuffing his mouth with a sandwich. "It's at Jake's place. There'll be games, food, and probably some embarrassing dancing."

Lucas hesitated, his fingers tracing the edge of the card. A party meant noise, people, and unfamiliar situations. It meant stepping out of his comfort zone.

"I don't know…" he muttered.

Theo nudged him. "Come on, man. You don't have to stay long. Just show your face, eat some cake, and then disappear if you want."

Lucas exhaled. Maybe this was another step forward—one that scared him, but a step nonetheless.

That evening, he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his sweater. He wasn't sure why he felt nervous. It was just a party. Just a gathering. But it had been years since he had let himself be part of something like this.

Mrs. Carter peeked into his room with a warm smile. "You look nice. Excited?"

He swallowed. "More like… unsure."

She stepped in, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to be nervous, Lucas. But you're allowed to have fun."

He nodded slowly. Maybe tonight, he could try.

The party was already buzzing when he arrived. Music played in the background, and laughter filled the space. Theo greeted him with a dramatic wave. "He made it!"

Lucas rolled his eyes but found himself smiling. Jake clapped him on the back, and Emily waved from across the room. It was strange—people were happy he was here.

As the night went on, he found himself easing into conversations, laughing at jokes, and even joining in a board game. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he belonged.

Maybe healing wasn't just about moving forward. Maybe it was also about letting people in.