[|]

"I asked you a question," she said in a strong tone as if she was angry.

"Oh, I was looking for the bathroom and I came up here. I luckily found one," I replied and gulped. My heart was racing so fast because I felt our plan had been ruined.

"This is a private area. You can't just use any bathroom you see especially when it's just one," she said in an angrier tone which offended me.

"What's your problem anyway? I just needed to empty my full bladder. You didn't expect me to piss in a cup or something," I shot back at her and her stiff shoulders slackened.

"Look, I'm sorry. Tonight didn't end the way I expected it," Andrea said in a sad voice.

I moved away from the bathroom door and stopped a foot away from her. She sighed and looked at the floor.

"Lucas isn't happy and it's my fault," Andrea said.

"Oh... Why? Did something happen?"

Andrea raised her head and I saw an unreadable look on her face. She scoffed and lifted her hand to my line of vision. My eyes went wide when I saw my body wash in her hand. My heart began to beat faster and sweat broke out of my skin. I met her eyes and opened my mouth to explain myself.

"Do you think Lucas is cheating on me?"

I blinked at her question, not knowing if she was suspicious of it or something else.

"W-what what do you mean?" I asked.

"I found this in his bathroom this evening and I confronted him about it a few minutes ago since he was being a grouch because of a birthday party and he said it belongs to his sister. I know it's a lie and I hate when people lie to me."

I was lying to her and lord knows what she would do If she knew the truth.

"Lucas has been acting strange lately, almost as if he's lost or something when I'm with him but tonight confirmed it. He's cheating on me because he told me before that he doesn't have a sister."

Why would Lucas not tell her she had a sister now it came back to bite his sexy ass.

"That's sad," I said.

"Yeah, indeed it's so sad," Andrea replied and eyed me. "Anyway, you should leave his room. I have something sexy planned for him tonight."

My heart burned from what she said. I was jealous and I was not going to deny it. On this bed, they would have sex and I hated the image that was painted in my head. My eyes stung and I inhaled.

"I'll go... Bye," I said and brushed past Andrea.

I went downstairs and rushed out of the house. Tears began to well up in my eyes as my heart burned more. I hated how what they did affect me and I had a feeling it had to do with me falling for Lucas.

I leaned against a wall and took deep breaths so I could control the whirlpool of emotions in me. When I was calm, I sighed.

"This can't be happening. Why am I falling for him? No, I can't have feelings for him. There's nothing that shows we are compatible. Maybe what I'm feeling is just gratefulness or friendship feelings, even if I don't what that is. Yes, maybe that's it because I cannot like Lucas."

[|]

Once I was done strolling around, I went back to the apartment building and saw the party was over because I could not hear voices or music. I had been away for two hours and expected the party to be over since it was almost eleven. I stared at the door and opened it.

The house was a mess. Pizza boxes were on the floor, and solo cups, bottles, and discarded food were everywhere. Lucas would not be thrilled. I took off my jacket and started to pick up the few things I could start with.

After five minutes, the place was still messy and I had barely picked up the rest of the trash laying around. As I cleaned, I heard footsteps and looked toward the stairs. It was a shirtless Lucas, going through his phone. I gulped and eyed his abs and slightly pale skin.

"Jackie?"

I blinked and stood up from my kneeling position. He pocketed his phone and approached me.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I was cleaning. This place is messy."

"I'll take care of it. Go sit down," he said but I shook my head.

"No, I'll do it. I'm used to it already. Just let me do it."

"You're so stubborn. Fine, you'll clean but I'm helping," he said and I giggled. "What's funny?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just weird seeing you do peasant choirs."

Lucas smiled that one-sided handsome smile and I felt butterflies in my stomach at his beautiful face.

"Well, tonight the king does the dirty job," he said and winked.

I blushed and looked at my feet, feeling shy. After I got myself, I started to clean with his help and in an hour, we were done. The house was sparkling clean with no spec of dirt or party people smell.

"Wow, how much do you earn as a cleaner again? Because this shit was fucking hard," Lucas said in a breathless tone as he leaned against the wall.

I covered my mouth and laughed, he was hilarious when what we did wasn't even anything compared to what I've seen at Clark's house.

"I apologize, your highness," I mocked and he growled.

"You're such a fucking troll," he said and I poked my tongue out at him. "Jackie."

His warning tone only made me giggle and when he smiled, I was in awe. He had a beautiful smile.

"Have you had dinner?" He asked and I shook my head. "Fuck... Come here, let's find something to eat."

I followed him to the kitchen and we found some cake which reminded me I haven't given him his present. Once we plated the cake, I rushed out of the house. I ignored Lucas' call to me as I ran straight to Jared's place.

I met Jared sleeping on the couch with the TV on and chuckled then rushed to my shoulder bag on the coffee table. I took the small box from it and tiptoed out of the house. I ran back to Lucas and hid the box behind me as I walked in.

"What happened? Why did you leave like that?" He asked, looking worried.

I joined him in the kitchen and smiled.

"I'm sorry. I had to get something from Jared's house," I replied and he looked down at his plate after a nod.

I gulped, nervous about the type of gift I got him. I still had the chance to hide it and never give it to him but I had to do it. I took a deep breath and brought the hand holding the box toward him. He side-eyed me before turning his whole body to look at the box.

"What's that?"

"Happy birthday," I said and smiled warmly.

Lucas' lips parted and his eyes softened on the box. He raised his eyes and stared into mine.

"You got me a gift?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yes and I know it's nothing compared to whatever anyone must have given to you today. I'm broke as you might know and I couldn't get you any expensive stuff... It's nothing but I hope you like it. You can reject it if you want," I rambled and bit my lip.

Lucas chuckled. "No, don't say that. I'll accept it, no matter what it is."

He took it from me and my heart skipped a beat. I wanted to snatch it back from him but clenched my hands as he unwrapped the paper around the small box. I held my breath when he opened the box and I looked at his expression. It was blank, with no sign of his reaction to it.

"It's cheap. I'm so sorry, it's nothing expensive. It's just—"

"Beautiful," he said, cutting me off.

"Huh?"

"It's beautiful."

Lucas picked up the black and gold beaded bracelet out of the box and placed the box on the counter beside him. His long fingers rubbed the beads while he stared at the designs on the bracelet.

"That was the first bead I ever made. I used to make beads and sell them at concerts, events, and festivals when I started college and that was the first one I made. It was too good to let go so I'm giving it to you."

Lucas hummed as he admired it more. He ran his other fingers against the body in silent concentration while I died of impatience. He hasn't said he likes it.

"Do you want it?" I asked out of nervousness.

Lucas didn't say anything, instead, he closed the small space between us and placed the bracelet on my palm. Sadness took over my body at his rejection.

"Put it on me," he said and I gasped.

"You... You like it?"

"Yes," he whispered and I smiled.

"Thank you," I whispered and looked at his left hand that was poised for me.

I swallowed and expanded the bracelet so I could slip his hand through. I hesitantly held his hand which stiffened in mine. His hand was too big that my smaller one barely fit around his. I slowly turned his hand around and in the same tempo, I slipped the bracelet through his hand. I swallowed and started to knot the bracelet.

"Jackie," Lucas whispered my name.

I looked up and realized how close we were. I could feel some parts of his body as I stared into his darkened blue eyes. I felt my heart skip a beat when he raised his left hand and cupped my cheek. I blushed at the feel of his warm hand on my cheek and glanced at his parted plump lips.

I licked mine and he rubbed my cheek before pulling me closer to him when he placed his other hand on my lower back.

"What are you doing to me?" Lucas whispered and I opened my mouth to speak but his lips crashed on mine.