Chapter 12: Opening Up

Lucas had never been one for small talk, but today, he found himself sitting at lunch with Theo, Emily, and a few other classmates, actually engaging in conversation. It wasn't much—just small comments here and there—but it was more than he used to say. And to his surprise, it felt... normal.

"So, Lucas," one of Theo's friends, Jake, said. "Are you gonna join any clubs?"

Lucas blinked. "I hadn't really thought about it."

"You should!" Emily chimed in. "It's a good way to meet people and, you know, not be a loner."

Theo snorted. "Lucas is too cool to be a loner. Right?"

Lucas rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. "I don't know... maybe."

The thought lingered as the day went on. A club? It sounded overwhelming, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

After school, Lucas walked home with Theo. The autumn air was crisp, leaves crunching under their feet.

"You don't have to push yourself too hard, you know," Theo said casually. "But I think it's cool that you're opening up a little."

Lucas kicked a rock on the sidewalk. "I don't know what I'm doing."

Theo laughed. "None of us do. We're just making it up as we go."

Lucas looked at his friend and, for once, believed him.

That night, as he lay in bed, Lucas thought about how far he'd come. He still had a long way to go, but maybe—just maybe—he wasn't as alone as he once thought.