Right Thing

"Did she answer, son?" Lucas' mother asked, peeking from the kitchen. "Didn't her friend say that she went home? I'm kind of worried."

Lucas shook his head as he faced his mother. "No answer. Mom, maybe she's tired or something," Lucas tried to stop his mother from thinking negative things. "Your cooking lessons will be canceled for now, okay?"

Lucas' mother nodded, and a sigh escaped her lips. "But I can't seem to stop worrying. Should you go and visit her in her apartment? Oh, and also give her this!" She gave Lucas a bag of food that she cooked just now. "I was about to give her that after we finished but she didn't come."

Lucas stared at his mother in disbelief. "Really, mom? I was supposed to go to this new movie, can't you just give this to her instead?"

Lucas' mom glared at him, her arms crossed. "Are you asking me? Your mother?"

And that made Lucas realize to cherish his life more than everything else. In conclusion, he was kicked out of the house with the bag still in his arms.

"Darn it..." Lucas scoffed, kicking a random rock. He had no choice but to follow his mother's orders and cancel his movie outing. Now he had to find another reservation for another schedule, great.

He made his way to the apartment building and found a staff to ask which room Athanasia lived in.

"Are you perhaps, her boyfriend, sir?" The staff asked, staring at him from head to toe. Lucas almost scoffed at what they said with a light blush on his cheeks.

Her boyfriend, huh. That would be so good to be true.

Lucas shook his head, chuckling. "No, I'm just her friend. I was asked to give this to her," he replied with a scratch on his nape as an act Of shyness.

"Ah, I see," the staff said with a nod. "Miss Obelia lived on the third floor, the number is 206."

"Okay, thank you." Lucas gave the staff a light bow and went his way to the third floor. There was an elevator so he didn't bother to walk to the floor he has to go. It was pretty convenient for someone lazy.

He arrived at the door and pressed the doorbell. But no one answers. Lucas tried to press it again, thrice, but there is still no answer. He began to lose his patience.

"Should I just ask the staff for her room key?" Lucas muttered but then mentally slapped himself. If he asked, they might find him suspicious.

He has no choice but to ring the doorbell again, which still ends up in silence.

Lucas clicked his tongue in frustration. Is she sleeping? Is that also why she couldn't answer his calls?

"Mom worries too quickly," Lucas said, sighing. He reached for the doorknob and twisted it. "I was right that she's resting..." His voice trailed off when the door swung open when he held the doorknob, the door was unlocked.

"What the..." Lucas frowned, slightly peeking in. "Does this girl have no consciousness of what would happen if she don't lock her door?"

Lucas slip his head in and saw the hall dark. There were no lights that were on, the only light was in was the sunlight that came in from the door he opened. He went back out and cautiously looked around him before going back to the dark hall.

He lets out a sigh, rolling his eyes in annoyance. He carefully took one step in, then the other. He was inside the room.

Lucas gulped as he closed the door behind him. "Pardon my intrusion..." He muttered under his breath. "Athanasia?" He called, cautiously walking deeper into the room.

He arrived in the living room. He saw Athanasia's bag on the floor with some files scattered with it, the sight of it made him sigh. "Are you angry or something?" He scoffed, picking her things up. "Why would you throw your things on the floor like that? You're making the house dirty."

Lucas heard a light snore behind him. He turned around to see a door open, revealing Athanasia's room with her lying on her bed, sleeping peacefully—or should he say, snoring peacefully.

He almost let out a snort, seeing her drool in her sleep as he walked into her room. "Look at you sleeping..." He said, pinching her cheeks. "You look like an idiot right now."

Athanasia groaned in complaint, feeling her cheeks get pinched. She slapped Lucas' hand away before turning her back to him. "How many times do I have to tell you, Lucas... my cheeks aren't mochis..." She murmured.

This time, Lucas couldn't handle his laughter and laughed in silence. Cheeks flushed pink as he watched her saying nonsense to him. What was she dreaming?

His laughter then died down as he heard Athanasia breathing heavily. He puts down the bag that he was still holding and sat down beside Athanasia. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked, even though she was asleep. Lucas felt her forehead heating up from than normal temperature.

"Shit."

Of all the people that visited her, the person who doesn't know how to take care of someone was the one present.

And that person was him.

"Lucas...?" Lucas turned his head at the mention of his name.  He immediately and unconsciously held her hand that was tugging his sleeve. "I wanted to say good morning but you have a fever," he said as if he was rapping.

Athanasia coughed, she was supposed to laugh as she did not get a word he said but her head hurts. "Why are you here?" She asked.

"You forgot to lock your house, dummy," Lucas answered, his eyes on his phone, looking for his mother's number. "Look, I'm going to call mom right now to ask how to take care of your fever because this guy right here cannot do that."

"Huh?" Athanasia frowned, trying to sit up. "I-It's okay! No need to bother doing that, I'll... I'll be fine!! Really!"

Lucas glared at Athanasia. "Have you checked yourself in the mirror, missy?" He stared at her up and down with worry in his eyes. "You look pale as if you haven't eaten in days and those bags under your eye... Athanasia, what the hell happened to you?"

Athanasia flinched, hands crumpling the sheets that are wrapped around her lower half. "I... I was..." She stuttered, trying to find a safe answer but her fever was stopping her to think.

"Never mind that... Hello mom?" Lucas heard his mom on the phone. He pulled the phone away for a while, and his other hand reached for her forehead, gently running it through her hair. "... Your health is much more important, let's talk about what happened when you get better..."

Athanasia nodded, leaning on his touch. It was comforting.

Lucas smiled. "I'm going to talk to mom for a while. You, missy, will lay down for a while and wait, okay? I'll be back."

He left in the room, answering his mother on the phone. Athanasia laid back down on her bed just as Lucas told her to do. She was still surprised at how Lucas was suddenly there beside her but was also relieved that he was there. Just as she dreamt about something being alone, as soon as she woke up, Lucas was there.

"Thank you..." She whispered under her breath, watching Lucas' back as he talked to his mother. He seemed focused on the call since he was suddenly taking notes. What is he doing?

Athanasia watched him for a moment until her eyelids are slowly shutting off.

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Warm.

Athanasia felt warm as she slept. Not because of her fever but because of the gentle touch she received from someone. The way they massage her arms, touch her forehead, and tie her hair up. All she felt was care and love.

She gently smiled at her sleep, hugging a pillow beside her. All the fatigue and pain slipped away and were replaced with comfort.

If only this moment could last forever. She would rather stay in her bed getting taken care of with much love that she missed.

"Mom..."

Athanasia woke up when she heard someone walk into her apartment. She groaned, sitting up, checking to see who walked in. A towel fell on her lap, surprising her. "What is this?" She muttered.

"You're awake," She heard someone say. She looked up and saw Lucas in a suit, carrying some groceries(?). "Huh?" She frowned, confused. "Lucas... Why..."

Lucas cut her off with a loud sigh. "Geez, you should thank me that I took care of you and did all the things you need to do for a day. I should have gone to my bed, chilling."

"Huh?" Athanasia said again, tilting her head. "Took care of me... What?"

"You don't remember? You got sick." Lucas frowned as he put the groceries on the table. He rushed to Athanasia's room and checked her temperature. "Your fever has come down..."

"Me?" Athanasia's eyes widened. Lucas began to explain what happened but his voice was slowly fading away as Athanasia tried to remember.

Right, she collapsed and didn't get to go to Lucas' house. And when she woke up, she saw Lucas calling his mother for help. Yes, she remembered how she felt dizzy that time.

"How long was I out?" She asked, looking up to Lucas, still in her confused look.

Lucas checked the time and nodded. "Almost a day. You were sleeping like a baby."

"Eh?!" Athanasia jumped, which Lucas stopped since she just got well. "A day?! T-Then what about my work?! I have a project for the kids and some quizzes!!!"

"Nah, don't worry," Lucas said with a scoff. His voice stopped Athanasia from panicking and stared at him with a bewildered look. "I took care of that. Since you tried so hard to make those projects, I decided to be your student's substitute teacher since their beloved Teacher Athy is sick."

"You didn't have to..." Athanasia blushed in embarrassment by his tease. "I'm sure those kids put you in a tough spot. Now I have to write for the headmaster about my absence and your sudden substitution."

"That's done. Forgot to tell you that, sorry," Lucas cut her mumbling, raising his pointer finger on her face. "I told your friend and had a small chat with the headmaster. Also! Hear this, after the class, the headmaster wanted to have me as one of his teachers! Hah!"

Athanasia laughed. "You have your work, dummy! The heck, why would the headmaster tell you that!!"

"I think he saw my potential as a teacher. The students love me more than you," Lucas proudly said, chest puffed out with pride, which made Athanasia stop laughing and pouted at him. "Don't you dare, mister!"

"Why did you stop laughing?" Lucas chuckled. He reached for her cheeks and pushed them up for her to smile. "Instead of glaring at me like that or sulking, whatever that is, you should smile more! You're gonna get wrinkles because of that."

Athanasia slapped his hands away, rubbing her cheek in pain as she groaned. "That hurts!"

Lucas still laughed and watched her suffer. Slowly his laughter died down, seeing a small smile from his friend. He unconsciously pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear and whispered, "don't overwork yourself too hard, alright?"

"What's with that?" Athanasia frowned, noticing the change in his expressions.

"Athanasia." Lucas stared deeply into her eyes. "You just collapsed yesterday, not bothering to lock your door, put your things down neatly, heck, you even got a fever. And look at you, you look so pale even though your fever has come down!"

Athanasia paused, she hesitantly looked down with her hands clutching her blanket. She unconsciously bit her bottom lip in frustration. "But... I just..."

"I know that you wanted the best for everyone around you and that if you will be the one who would adjust your time, they would have an easy life but Athanasia... they worry for you too," Lucas said, taking a seat beside her on her bed. "It is fine to lack something as long as you are happy and that you are living your life to the fullest, it's fine. You are still loved."

Athanasia looked up, lips trembling and red from all the biting. Lucas noticed the tears coming from her eyes and sighed, ready to catch those tears as soon as it rolls down. "Would you still stay by my side if I rely more on you? I won't be a burden?"

Lucas nodded, smiling. "Be it something stupid, like you put salt instead of sugar on your coffee, you can sulk on my shoulders for that. You are also human, Athanasia, it is fine to rely on someone when you are at your lowest or rest when you just want to escape from the stressful time you had."

Tears started to run down her cheeks. And just as Lucas promised to himself, he gently wiped off the tears from her face. "It's fine to show your weakness sometimes. If you do, I would try my best to make you go back to your happy self. I'm your friend after all," he began to whisper her good words as she cried. "So stop pushing yourself to the edge, burn the expectations from others that weren't there from the start to ashes. Promise me not to do that again, alright?"

Athanasia nodded, chuckling off the tears.

"Pinky promise?"

"What do you mean pinky promise?" Athanasia laughed, slapping Lucas' pinky finger away. "We're not kids anymore."

"I just need something to confirm. Come on!"

"Ugh, why?!"

"Pinky promise???"

"..... fine..."

The conversation ended with a short pinky promise between good friends. As their fingers intertwined, Lucas silently promised himself that no matter what happens, even if his feelings weren't reciprocated by the person he likes. As long as she is happy, that's all that matters.

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"KIELLL!!!" Ijekiel flinched, looking up from his phone to see Athanasia and Jennette holding a 'welcome back' banner with Lucas yawning at the back. He smiled and rushed towards them.

Athanasia saw Ijekiel running, she immediately let go of the banner and went to hug her boyfriend. The two shared a warm and tight one, which made them feel relieved and content.

Lucas rolled his eyes at the sight with a pain tugging in his chest while Jennette wiped off an invisible tear using the banner.

"Welcome back!" Athanasia cheered as she lets go of the hug. "I missed you! By the way, where's Cabel?"

"Oh, he's..."

As soon as Ijekiel was about to tell them where his partner is, someone suddenly ran across them and flew towards Lucas with a bear hug. The two had their eyes wide open in surprise, also the victim.

"I'm back bestie!!!" Cabel happily said, rubbing his cheek against Lucas'. The latter groaned in annoyance, trying to balance both of them from the impact he received. "Let go, it's disgusting!!" Lucas complained.

Athanasia laughed, leaning her head against Ijekiel's chest. "You two sure have a great bond!"

"We do not!" Lucas glared at Athanasia. He was ready to attack her but unfortunately, Cabel was all over him. "AISH!! Let me go!!"

Jennette silently scoots in between the couple as Lucas was still trying to escape. "How about you two catch up and I'll be here with these idiots?"

"Can you really handle those two?" Athanasia raised a brow, pointing at them. "It took me a lot to take care of Lucas but with Cabel?"

"Really?" Ijekiel stared at Athanasia, amazed.

"I can manage." Jennette shrugged. "Now come on! Go to your date!" She pushed Ijekiel and Athanasia back together and away from Lucas who is close to murdering Cabel. "Enjoy!!"

"T-Then... see you!"

Ijekiel held Athanasia's hand and pulled them out of the airport. Athanasia happily followed though half-heartedly held back his hold.

"Where do you want to go?" Ijekiel asked as he looked for a taxi around. "We can go shopping, eat at a cafe."

Athanasia brightens. "Then! We could go-"

"Though we should hurry up, I only have a short time since I still have something to do at work," Ijekiel immediately said. "What are you going to say again?"

"Oh..." Athanasia's bright expression dimmed down. She looked down, starting to fidget her fingers. "We could have our date later after your work. I don't want to be a burden..." Or I could just plan our date sometime tomorrow, tell your boyfriend, me!

"I might finish work late, are you sure?" Ijekiel stopped, turning to face his lover. "And if I do finish work late then we wouldn't be able to find open restaurants."

Remember what Lucas told you... she told herself in her consciousness as if she was trying to push her away from doing something that might gonna destroy the hard work that Lucas did for her.

"It's fine! Really... Also, I could make food for us, like a picnic?" Athanasia tried to laugh but failed, still, she kept her smile for Ijekiel. "Besides, this is also a chance to show off my cooking skills!"

Why can't you say it?! She started to panic.

Ijekiel stared at Athanasia for a moment, pondering. He then nods, smiling in relief. "Great, then I'll see you later? You know where my workplace is so I don't need to send you the address."

"Yeah... See you later..."

Athanasia waited for a goodbye kiss, but Ijekiel rushed to hop inside the taxi, waving at Athanasia before driving off. She was left alone with a sad look on her face, the smile she tried to show was now gone.

Her shoulders slouched, and the glint in her eyes was gone. She was disappointed in herself but also thinking of a way to make Ijekiel have the best date later.

She was losing her mind.

"don't overwork yourself too hard, alright?"

The promise was soon broken just because of love.