Prototype

Tacos Will Have to Wait

"So, what are we doing again," Lucien asked me while walking behind me.

"I lost my reading glasses when I was walking from Elijah's house late into the night two days ago so I'm retracing my steps to find out where I lost them," I lied which I hated doing to my friends but this situation called for some more severity that I needed to be careful with. "Okay, but why'd you call me then," he asked pointing at himself. This was where had to develop some kind of story that I didn't feel guilty about. "I lost them because I ran into some bad guys and they gave me some trouble." This wasn't a lie but it also wasn't the whole truth either. 

"What? A-are you okay? Why would you walk by yourself so late anyway," he yelled in concern as he bombarded me with questions. I should have expected as such. But hopefully, he understands why I asked him specifically.

I had called Lucien because it made the most sense to call him rather than any of my other friends. Star would turn it into something bigger than what it is and just in case I run into someone she wouldn't be able to do much in the situation. While Linus and Elijah would work as muscle, they both have classes with me and know that I don't wear glasses. It came down to Rubi and Lucien and since I want to keep this a secret I'd like to know that I can rely on that secrecy. Since I'm keeping a secret for Lucien then he'll keep a secret for me. I hate to look at it as an exchange of favors but right now I have to put some of my pride away for the investigation at least. 

"Yes, thanks for asking. I got away with only a few bruises," I said while trying to act tough. Since I'm embellishing the story I might as well sound as though I put up a fight. And who knows, I may have. Although I doubt it with the number of injuries I actually sustained. They're still sore actually. "You got bruises," Lucien asked with a soft sadness. I also noticed that he had stopped walking behind me. I could tell that he was upset but now he had this quiet anger about him. He gripped his fists tight and just looked down.

"Hey, it's okay. Like I said it was only a few. Common thugs. Don't think too much of it." I hoped that I was saying the right thing but I didn't really know what that was in this situation. 

"Yeah, just upset that I couldn't do anything like I did last time," he said finally looking up at me with another one of those sad smiles he was infamous for. He didn't have to feel guilty just because he saved me at that time. I was lucky was all. "You don't have to blame yourself. You weren't there so there wasn't anything you could do. Besides you're helping me now so try to cheer up some for me please," I ask trying to give him some hope. He gives me a nod and we continue walking on the sidewalk.

I know that I walked home thanks to my conversation with Elijah so I checked my phone history and luckily I used it instead of my chip to get home. I went through my phone's history and sure enough, the location was there. Unless it gives me a different route to his place then this is my best bet as to a lead right now. I don't remember how far I was from the house before my memory goes blank especially because it was dark but hopefully I'm able to jog my memory along the walk. I made sure to cover all bases by telling Elijah I'd just pick up my gifts in case I make it all the way to his house without finding anything. I informed Lucien on that end but I hadn't told him about my running in with someone. If I remember something while we're walking then I need to maintain my composure otherwise I'll give away that there's more to the story than what I said. 

I don't plan on "finding" my glasses but I do plan on "remembering" where I last left them. My plan seems pretty full proof and I feel proud for making it without the use of my chip. I just wish I didn't have to use my friends to make it work. 

"So, I heard you, Linus, and Rubi had fun yesterday? She called me when she got home and sounded pretty happy. She told me all about it," Lucien asked out the blue breaking my train of thought.