As soon as I knocked on the door, Daniel shoved it open and pulled on my arm. "Oof!" I grunted as my arm entered the condo before the rest of my body.
"What took you so long? If this was an actual emergency I'd be dead by now. I'll keep that in mind." Daniel muttered as he wheeled quickly to his room.
"So, this isn't an emergency then?" I clarified in confusion.
"Obviously not. Keep up, Em." Daniel pushed the door to his room open and I took in the hurricane in front of me. It must have been every piece of clothing he owned scattered around the room.
"What happened in here," I trailed as I looked at the horror scene in front of me.
"What do you think happened in here? I'm getting ready for my date," he snapped as he grabbed a red sweater and flung it behind him in disgust.
Lucas emerged from the adjoining bathroom inspecting a green shirt he was holding in his hands, "I ironed the green shirt, Danny. I swear if you don't wear it- Emily." Lucas stated in surprise, pausing where he stood.
"Hey," I stated awkwardly.
"I'm not feeling the shirt anymore," Daniel proclaimed frowning at it.
"-What?" Lucas replied in annoyance, "You couldn't have told me that before I ironed it?"
"You don't get it. That's why Emily's here," Daniel reasoned, turning to look at me. "What would you wear on a date with your true love who doesn't know she's in love with you yet?"
I smiled at his honesty, "Not that green shirt."
Lucas threw the shirt on the floor in frustration and Daniel grinned, "Ha! This is why Em's here." Lucas sat at the edge of the bed quietly. "What are you thinking?" Daniel asked turning his gaze to me.
I took in the clothing around the room until my eyes landed on a grey button down shirt, "This would work if you're going to a fancy dinner." I held the piece of clothing in front of me, inspecting it before pairing with black slacks. I handed them to Daniel and he placed them on his lap before going to the bathroom to change.
I started picking up clothes that were strewn about on the floor and refolding them.
Lucas interrupted me, "You don't have to do that."
I replied without looking at him, "It's no big deal." I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Are you ready for your fight tomorrow?"
He shrugged, "As ready as I'll ever be." His icy eyes connected to mine as I placed the folded shirts on top of the dresser, reaching for hangers for the button up clothes. "Sorry to ruin your evening. I told him not to bother you."
"I don't mind. I'm emotionally invested in his relationship with Rebecca now anyway." I replied, smiling at the idea of Rebecca and Daniel going on their first date together.
Lucas looked at me curiously and was about to speak when Daniel rolled back in. Lucas turned to look at his younger brother who buttoned the final button on his shirt and waited, expectantly staring at us. "Well?" He asked impatiently.
"It's perfect," I responded grinning at him.
"I still think the green shirt would have been-" Daniel and I both glared at Lucas and he shut his mouth immediately.
Daniel checked his phone, "My chariot awaits." I looked at him inquisitively and he smirked, "Kyle's my driver for the evening!" He boasted proudly.
I laughed, "How'd you get him to commit to that?"
"I have some incriminating evidence against him. Don't ask questions, you don't want to get involved."
I put my hands up in front of me in apology, "Noted."
"This is it, guys. Take your pictures now, I won't be the same man you see walking out of this door," Daniel cried dramatically.
Lucas scoffed, "Have fun, Danny."
"Thanks for your help, Em!" Daniel shouted as he wheeled out the door.
"Good luck!" I replied waving him off.
I looked over at Lucas to see his gaze already on me. "Well, I should head back." I stated shuffling on my feet.
"I'll drop you off," Lucas got to his feet and fetched his keys from beside the door, waiting for me.
"I'll just grab the bus." A small part of me was very afraid of being alone with Lucas. I needed time away from him to get over whatever feelings I seemed to be experiencing.
"I have to head out anyway," he responded opening the door and holding it for me.
I walked out with Lucas, wondering what kind of plans he had for the night. Did he have a date? I wondered if he was dating. Snap out of it, Emily. You don't care for him. He's just extremely good looking. Get a grip.
We walked out of the condo and Lucas unlocked his door and opened the passenger side for me. I slid in muttering a quiet 'Thanks' in the process. I watched his long legs walk in from one the car before he stepped in and turned the car on. I watched as he put the car in reverse and drove off.
I stared awkwardly out the window before Lucas's deep voice interrupted my thoughts, "Are you busy tonight?"
"Not really," I replied in surprise, "What are you up to?" I tried to ask it in as much of a nonchalant way that I could. It wasn't desperate if I reciprocated the question, I tried to convince myself. It sure beat shouting out 'are you dating someone!?' like I wanted to.
"I have a pre-fight ritual that I do before each fight." Lucas glanced over at me before turning back to the road quickly, "Do you want to come?" He asked almost timidly.
My heart skipped a beat and I nodded, "Okay."
He smiled at me before pulling up to a convenience store, "We need supplies first," Lucas said as he put the car in park and stepped out.
I climbed out of the passenger seat and we walked to the store. Lucas held the door open for me and we walked into the aisles searching for snacks.
Lucas grabbed a bag of skittles and a bag of Doritos before raising an eyebrow at me, "What do you like?" His blue eyes seemed to peer into my soul as he waited for me to choose a snack.
I panicked and grabbed the first thing that was in front of me, "Uh, this." I chirped holding a bag that seemed to be a prepackaged hot dog, "This is great." I clasped the bag between two fingers in front of my face.
He smiled at me in amusement, "I'll take your word for it." He held a bag of sour patch kids in front of me and waited for me to respond.
"That's.. better." I stated, still holding onto the stale hot dog for dear life. Lucas laughed and I swore I could listen to the melodious sound forever. Maybe I could record it somehow. I'm pretty sure that's bordering on creepy.
Lucas walked up to the cash and paid for the items before carrying the bag back to the car. He opened the passenger door for me before climbing into his side and driving to a familiar area.
"You go to your gym?" I asked in surprise.
He nodded, smiling as he parked the car. "It's kind of become a thing at this point."
We walked towards the entrance and Lucas fished out a key from his pocket to unlock the door, opening it for me as I stepped inside. He flipped the light switch on and I took in the empty gym.
He walked into the office and I followed him inside, taking in the cluttered desk and small couch that was tucked against the wall. Lucas placed the bag of snacks on the desk and pulled out a small television from a cupboard. He placed it on the desk as well and gestured at the couch, "Sit."
I complied and sat on the grey sofa, tucking my hands under me as I did so. "Do you normally do this on your own?" I asked curiously.
"Usually," he responded grabbing switching the TV on and sitting down beside me. His large frame was so warm that I could feel the heat radiating off of him. He glanced over at me, "I started coming here before fights to watch videos of my dad fighting. It helps motivate me. Reminds me why I'm doing it."
I nodded, "Thanks for showing it to me," I said softly.
Lucas hesitated, "I'd like to think we're... friends."
I smiled at him, "Friends."
"There's still no way I'm eating that hot dog."
I laughed, "It's not that bad."