Some Friendly Competition(Lucas)

[Louis Scott]

Louis felt his blood pumping as he got up from the incline bench, setting the bar back on the rack. It was currently around five in the afternoon, after most classes had ended, and he had been at the gym for around thirty minutes, he was getting close to reaching the halfway point of his workout routine.

He gave himself a five minute break as he walked over to a nearby bench where he took a seat, scanning over the room for anyone he recognized. He eventually saw someone familiar walk through the door, Lucas, a boy Louis remembered very well from his days at Hammel. He shuddered as he remembered sensing the Texan’s emotions from halfway across a room after some of his more infamous interactions with the females of the school. Still, maybe Lucas had gotten less emotional since graduating, so Louis decided to walk over to him, giving a small wave as he said in a friendly tone, “Hey Lucas, it's been a while.”

[Lucas Blacke]

He decided to go work out a bit more if he was going to keep seeing this Amber girl, which he already knew he was. At any rate, his muscles could do with a bit more training, not that Amber was not giving him any, but it couldn't hurt could it?

So with his head held high he walked into the gym and realized; this was one of the only times he would actually change for a girl, or at least make a real and tangible effort. It might not be for the best, but most of what they did was not for the best. Maybe Lucas was never supposed to go for the best and instead just for what was given to him.

As he set a single foot over the threshold of the building he scanned the room quickly, seeing if there were any possible distractions. And oddly enough he saw them as actual distractions, even the girls that were working out which he would normally see as a work out-buddy or more, but oddly not this time around. Maybe he really was falling for Amber. Though that also meant cutting things short with Serena. Hm. Difficulties.

What took his mind off of that was a guy walking over to him, someone he vaguely recognized but he wasn't quite sure from where.. ''Aye, 's been a long time.'' He merely replied to hearing the guy mention his name, not wanting to ask him who he was.

Why was it a guy though? He hated those.

[Louis Scott]

Louis felt let loose an internal sigh of relief as he didn't feel anything especially heavy coming off from Lucas, the confusion stemming out from him did make Louis frown a little. He considered the fact that the two of them hadn't really hung out while they were at Hammel and hadn't seen each other in a while as reasons for this, but he still couldn't help feeling a little saddened. “So how've you been since leaving the school?” He asked, still keeping his friendly demeanor, not suspecting any bad emotions could come from a simple question. The Louis’s face did fall a little more as he the Texan’s exasperation, hoping that this wouldn't be the basis of the rest of their conversation, and wondering what he had done already to cause this.

[Lucas Blacke]

Leaving the school? He wondered.. oh! This guy was from Hammel! Which would make sense because this guy knew him while he didn't return that same sentiment due to not being such a friendly person back at Hammel. Not for guys anyway. So now with one of the pieces of the puzzle falling into place he knew he could go on a bit more like himself because there was at least the common theme of having a power on top of having been in school together even if Luke didn't remember the guy.

''I've been okay, I guess.'' Lots of things had happened since then, he remembered as he replied, from him finally meeting his parents to going straight back to being angry at his parents with a whole lot more cash in his pocket on top of a new house, and Serena and Amber. The choice between the two girls wasn't that hard since Serena had already told him she couldn't be what he wanted, but in a way he also couldn't be what she wanted, so right now he was just looking for ways to end it, nip the pain in the butt. He shook his head in silence a bit as he knew it was too good to be true but quickly raised his head again to face the guy in front of him.

''An' ye?'' He asked, hoping that if this guy spoke it would bring back at least a name before he was forced to lower himself to the level of asking the name of someone he knew. ''How've ya been?''

[Louis Scott]

“That's good.” Louis said hiding the suspicious tone in his voice as he felt bits of the emotions Lucas had gone through as he assumed the Texan was thinking about things. Guess he hasn't gotten that much better, The Seattle native thought to himself, as the emotions hit him rapid fire, first anger about something, then a various jumble of other emotions that made Louis assume that Lucas had started dating again, since he had felt these exact same things.

Louis snapped out of his thoughts as he heard Lucas’s question, and felt his frustration, giving a smile he waited a moment before deciding to mention his experience with Serena, some blood filling his cheeks as he did, “Well, I've met a girl, she and I really get along. Oh, and I started going to college.” After he finished speaking Louis decided to ask about Lucas about any women he had met, since knew it would come up later anyway, “So what about you, you meet anyone new?”

[Lucas Blacke]

Still he had next to no idea of the name this guy bore, or even what kind of ability he was supposed to have. But he knew as much as the fact that this guy knew him and likely also knew of his reputation while attending Hammel; that of an emotional dick. Or well, the emotional thing, the dick part he added himself and he wouldn't rest until that had been succesfully beaten from his mind. Maybe this guy could help in some way, like if his power was to block off a part of the mind or something.

The thing he said about meeting a girl though did trigger him some in the sense that, one, he had just been thinking about the exact same thing so this was a huge coincidence or indicative of some sort of mind reading power, which would make the entire talk a bit harder, and two, it reminded him of the girl he did meet, Serena. And it wasn't fun. Yeah okay, she was fun, but when she told him she couldn't be what he wanted to be but still wanted them to continue she kind of made him realize that in return of her not being able to be what he wanted, he also wasn't able to be what she wanted.

Lucas nodded absently. ''Met lotsa new people. College'll do that, aye?'' He tried to joke as hints of Serena with a bit of Amber mixed in haunted him. And also maybe a slight hint of the oh so interesting Live. Or Lily, however she wanted to be named.

[Louis Scott]

Louis tried the increasingly difficult task of keeping a smile on his face as he felt the Texan’s emotions, first suspicion, probably me, and then the unhappiness, and he thought he could feel some disappointment, but he was uncertain as he couldn't read the boy’s thoughts. He lost all hope of not dealing with Lucas usual mess of emotions, and he didn't know how to back out of the conversation.

He was silently cursing himself for initiating as he heard the boy talk about college, and then the sudden rush of emotions as he assumed the Texan’s thoughts began to wander. “Yeah, actually I've seen a couple kids from Hammel around the campus. I think I actually saw Marnie th-” Louis suddenly cut himself off as he remembered that Lucas used to date the girl, he then tried to change the subject quickly, “So, uh, where've you been since leaving?” It was fairly obvious from Louis’s tone and worried face he didn't want Lucas to start digging up some old feelings.

[Lucas Blacke]

Lucas still had no clue to this guys name, but obviously the guy knew stuff about him as he mentioned having seen Marnie and then immediately cutting himself off like he knew he was getting to a painful topic. One which actually didn't warrant any stop of any kind nor was it a painful memory. Though once more his mind wandered but not because of what he did say but for trying to figure out the reason behind the stop. He knew he and Marnie had been a train wreck waiting to happen but was that really a reason to avoid talking about them? It wasn't in his eyes.

''No need ta change th' subject.'' He offered with a bit of a smile as he looked at the guy before him. He asked about what Luke had been doing and he answered, and in return for not telling all that much he simply began talking about what he thought interested the Texan. Which at some point would definitely be Marnie, but for now it was simply the fact the guy stopped talking about her for whatever reason.

''She an' I actually had a pretty good talk th' other day.'' He offered in the hopes that he'd take the hint and go back to talking about her. As awkward as Luke could be he didn't want people to tip-toe around him.

Not to mention he actually kind of ignored the last question made by this guy.

[Louis Scott]

Louis was confused for a moment as he didn't feel any of the painful emotions flowing out of the Texan that had come the last time he was near Lucas and someone mentioned a previous girlfriend of his. The confusion grew more as he listened to Lucas explain that the two of them had patched things up slightly, this was not a Lucas that Louis was used to. He was used to the Texan having problems, mostly girl problems, and an excess of emotional buildup, but now, now he seemed to be more stable, and finally having a experience with a girl that didn't turn out negative. It was a little too strange for the Seattle native to handle, causing his response to sound not very convinced, “Well, it's good to hear you and Marnie patched up.” The next question burst from his mouth unable to be controlled, “Are you sure everything's alright? I mean I remember some bad emotional stuff coming off you at the time.” As soon as the words left his mouth Louis regretted it, he knew how Lucas could get, even with his seemingly peaceful emotional state.

[Lucas Blacke]

Within a few seconds it came back to Lucas; who this guy was and why he didn't remember him. Luke was in the habit of forgetting people who annoyed him, and outside of being a guy this dude seemed to put his nose into stuff it didn't belong. Or maybe he was that guy that liked getting a rise out of him at the expense of the Texan feeling bad. The only thing that had really changed there was that he was now able to hit a lot harder, and knowing where to hit was a big plus, too.

He still didn't know his name though, and he was sure that when left to his own devices he wouldn't figure it out on his own either.

When the guy asked if he was sure things are okay he laughed, thoughts bordering on being annoyed and how to best leave the area without him being upset. Even annoyed Luke tried to spare people, it seemed. Unless it meant hitting them, he liked that. ''So yer th' guy that used ta pry in me head? Good ta know.''

This guy should have known he was used to not showing what he felt, and while Empaths usually came close to him spilling the beans, the fact remained that this one was a guy. ''Might wanna keep ta yer own mind fer a while.'' He replied as his stance changed and his arms crossed over his chest.

[Louis Scott]

Louis’s face fell as he felt the anger and annoyance in the Texan start to grow, he had known something like this would happen as he remembered a few encounters that Lucas had had with people who had similar powers to the Seattle native. They had not been very pleasant meetings. The fact Lucas had suddenly laughed while he was feeling these emotions didn't make Louis feel any better about his situation. Louis held his hands up in a non-threatening way as he felt the growing feeling of annoyance from the other boy as he talked, after Lucas finished speaking Louis tried to talk in a reconciliatory tone while he kept his hands up, “Hey, I can't control that I feel your emotions, it's a hassle just to ignore everyone else's in the room. Anyway, I didn't mean to upset you man, I just wanted to make some friendly conversation.” Louis added the last part as an attempt to diffuse the situation, he didn't need to get into a shouting match today.

[Lucas Blacke]

Just some friendly conversation? That pretty much wasn't possible unless you were a girl, and this still unnamed guy was.. well, not a girl so there had been a feeling of annoyance to begin with. In other times he would have just annoyed the crap out of him to get a laugh himself, but when this guy had started by almost instantly mentioning Marnie and the Texan, despite things being good between them, Lucas couldn't help but raise a brow. They'd gone to the same school, so if he had paid attention he would know what happened between them back then and realize that it wasn't the best topic for 'some friendly conversation', it'd be like someone talking to him about Karalie, or Zoelle, or Anthy even. (not counting the fact Anthy was the only one in that list he hadn't dated)

Oh! And then there was Serena! If for some reason this guy mentioned her.. well, his fist would probably end up occupying a face somewhere. Yes there were lots of topics to avoid with Luke if you wanted a nice talk and happened to be a guy, but there were also plenty of topics to talk about and remain friendly with him.

No, this one was all on that Empath kid.

''Right now ya have no idea how in check me emotions are.'' He almost growled at the guy before him. He wasn't making things better by saying it was hard to ignore. Lucas knew from experience he was one of the easiest people to ignore!

[Louis Scott]

Louis moved a step back as he felt the anger in Lucas begin to rise, he could feel that the Texan was close to blowing his top and the Seattle native didn't want to be within striking distance of him when it happened. “Alright, you're right you got control of them, sorry about mentioning an old girlfriend. I don't want to trouble you, I just want to hang out with a former classmate.” Louis spoke in a nervous tone as he tried to defuse the building anger in the other boy, deciding to stretch the truth a little to help his cause. He then spoke, rather loudly, under his breath, “I should've just called Serena.” He knew that at least with the French girl it would be a more fun time, especially with what happened the last time they were in this building.

[Lucas Blacke]

It was close, but the guy was right in that he was about to blow a gasket. It wasn't the fact that he had mentioned Marnie or anyone else, but the fact that he tried to diffuse the situation as if he had done something wrong. Which he obviously had, but he was doing it in such a way that told Luke he was actually afraid of him, nervousness resounding every word that he spoke. It was actually quite funny to the Texan if he wasn't about to lose it.

Hanging out with a former classmate his ass, if he had wanted to hang out then where had he been the entire time he attended Hammel? This guy wasn't helping his cause by saying those things, and Lucas was growing more angry by the minute. At least he apologized, so that was a thing and just enough for Luke to try and not beat him up. Still annoying though.

But then some more words came that nulled every attempt he made at diffusing the situation, that he should have called Serena. It was obvious the words weren't meant to be heard but Lucas still did, Empaths weren't the only people who could be dicks and listen in. ''Oh.'' He merely reacted with his jaws firmly clenched together, that was what this conversation missed, obviously, the mention of a girl he had fun with and who basically told him he was in the friendzone after fucking him.

''Oh.'' He repeated. ''Should've called Serena.'' Whatever this guy was doing, it wasn't healthy, neither for him or for Luke. Feelings of anger mixed with sadness as he thought about Serena and this guy together. Hell, with the background Lucas had he should have fucking known Lucas went there before him. Or after him. Who cared, Serena was a lost cause anyway. Just friends his ass.

''Good fer you. Oh so very good fer you!'' Lucas replied in a pretty sarcastic tone.

''Fuck you.''

[Louis Scott]

Louis kept a safe distance away from Lucas as he noticed the Texan getting angrier and angrier. He knew that talking about anymore of Lucas’s old girlfriends would just make the situation worse, but Louis couldn't remember many other events that happened during Lucas’s time at Hammel. Louis felt a tiny sense of relief as he noticed the smallest hints of amusement in the Texan, but that feeling disappeared as he felt a sudden spike in anger and sadness from Lucas. Louis could only think of one reason that the other boy would feel these things, he and Lucas had had similar encounters with Serena. Louis flinched back at Lucas’s words, knowing that when someone came between the Texan and a girl problems usually started. That being said Louis experienced a tingle of jealousy flow through him at the thought of Serena and the Texan together and tried, failing disastrously, to keep it out of his voice as he spoke assertively, “Hey, I'm sorry if you're mad I know a girl that you've slept with, but you don't need to be a dick. Besides, me and her are just friends who occasionally work out together.” The last sentence wasn't exactly a lie, more of a half-truth, but Louis still felt a little bad saying it as he did like the French girl quite a lot.