Lucas walked ahead of us, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. I didn't need to look at his face to know he was puffed up with irritation. His whole posture screamed that he was annoyed — like a kid who didn't get the candy he wanted.
I didn't understand why he insisted on bringing us to the mall if he felt like a fifth wheel. After all, he was the one footing the bill and had the most power here. Yet, now he acted as if our presence was a burden.
"Are we going to keep walking like this forever? I'm starving. What exactly are you looking for?" I muttered quietly to Felix, who was holding my hand tightly.
"His favorite clothes store," Felix replied with a half-smile, then turned his gaze toward Lucas. "Hey, brother, can we grab something to eat first? Aren't you hungry?"
Lucas finally slowed down and turned to face us, scanning us with sharp eyes like we were annoying flies buzzing around him.
"Los Angeles sucks," he announced, sounding petulant like a child denied a treat. "This mall doesn't have half the stores New York does. I've got to get out of here soon." He shot a disdainful look our way. "And you two just sit around, eating, sleeping, and chirping to each other like a couple of doves. Boring."
He was definitely not in a good mood today. I guessed he had come here hoping to lift his spirits by splurging at his favorite store. What confused me was why he'd brought us along if we were just in his way.
Felix didn't hold back. "And you do nothing but whine."
Lucas rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "What do you want to eat? Because I'm craving fast food."
"It sounded like you were asking us what we wanted," Felix replied with a smirk, "but really, you've already decided. We just have to obey."
Lucas shrugged with a cocky grin. "He who has the money has the power."
"So lead the way, King Lucas," I said sarcastically.
He squinted at me, biting his tongue to stop himself from snapping back something cruel in front of Felix. Instead, he sent me a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes.
It was almost funny — this self-important guy craving McDonald's.
We placed our order on the tablet and found a vacant table. I scanned the food court and realized it wasn't very crowded. Judging by the people around us, we might actually be the oldest ones here.
While waiting for our order number, I glanced at Felix. He rested his chin on his hand, looking ahead thoughtfully. His eyes no longer held that deep sadness or confusion I'd seen before. Instead, he seemed present, grounded — finally himself.
I was glad. Felix had finally found his footing. Thanks to the right medication and the people who mattered most standing by his side, he was no longer the lost teenager I'd met when I was ten — the boy I'd once protected from bullies.
This was the Felix who should have been all along. The Felix his neglectful parents had failed to raise. The Felix I almost lost to the darkness of untreated illness.
I hated his mother with all my heart. I wanted to scream at her for showing up now — just as he was healing, just as he'd become whole again. If she made him fall apart again, if her shadow returned to haunt him, I didn't know if I could control myself. She was the root of all this nightmare.
"Is that our number?" I snapped out of my thoughts and pointed toward the order pickup.
I nudged Lucas on the shoulder. "Get up, let's grab the food."
He barely looked up from his phone. "Can't you take two trays? I'm busy."
I rolled my eyes. "How can you be so lazy?"
I turned to Felix. "Let's get this to him, since he's paying."
My eyes lit up when I noticed who was working behind the counter.
"Hi, Hannah. Got a new job?" I asked.
She looked surprised to see us, glancing from me and Felix to the table where Lucas sat. Then, a wicked smile spread across her face.
"Small world, huh? Good to see you guys. Yeah, I don't have a choice — had to take this job after a certain moron made me jobless and broke."
Felix smirked. "Yeah, Lucas is a complete moron."
Hannah nodded toward Lucas's table. "I'm actually on my break now, so if you don't mind, I'll hang out here a bit."
"Waiting for this moron to get served, I hope," I said, grabbing a tray.
Felix took two trays, and we walked back to the table.
Lucas grumbled, "What's taking so long?" His voice was whiny again. I wanted to smack him — if he weren't the only one who could keep Felix grounded.
He put his phone down briefly to stir his drink, then lost himself again in the screen.
"Can't you be nicer since we're living together now?" I teased.
Lucas looked genuinely puzzled. "Are you ordering me to be nice just because I live under your roof?"
"It wouldn't hurt to get along," I said. "Why do you hate people so much?"
"Only you and my parents," he said with a forced grin.
"And you hate me too," Hannah said, sliding in beside him and, without asking, stealing a few fries from his tray.
Now Lucas looked even more annoyed. I glanced at Felix, who quietly ate, watching us.
Lucas shot Hannah a glare. "What are you doing here, you nosy nut? Stalking me? Didn't I tell you that you've got Stockholm syndrome? If I'd known I'd attract a stalker, I never would've kidnapped you."
He turned to me, venom in his voice. "This is all your fault. Are all your friends this messed up? Eve is totally crazy."
I bit into my burger, amused by their back-and-forth. If Lucas ever fell for someone, maybe he'd stop being so protective of Felix. Maybe then I could finally breathe.
"You usually hang out with people like yourself," I said with a full mouth.
Hannah pushed further. "When are you leaving for New York?"
Lucas's jaw clenched. "None of your business."
"Didn't you say everything would be settled by next week? It's literally just a few days before we leave Los Angeles," I interjected, unable to keep the question from slipping out.
Lucas spun toward me, his eyes sharp and cold. "Can you shut that little flip-flop and just be quiet? One more word, and you're not coming with us."
I glanced at Hannah, who was watching us with an amused, sideways look as she bit into a French fry. "I like it when you talk like that — so commanding," she teased, arching an eyebrow. "When I leave with you, will you keep being this bossy with me?"
Lucas sneered, clearly unimpressed. "You don't entertain me at all. At first, you seemed interesting. Now you just irritate me. I don't like your company."
Hannah only pretended to burble in response, and I couldn't help but admire her for standing her ground — even if I pitied her a little. She had no idea what kind of fire she was playing with.
"Will you go back to work, or should I make you destitute again?" Lucas taunted.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Don't worry, I'll be leaving with you for New York in a few days anyway."
He smirked, hitting his own hand lightly in amusement. From where I sat, watching them was downright hilarious.
"How can you be such an intrusive woman?" Lucas grumbled. "I've met plenty who flocked to me for my looks and cash, but you cross the line."
"And who said I'm here for your looks and money?" Hannah shot back, eyes sparkling mischievously. "Can't you see the sparks between us? It won't be long before a fire breaks out. Temperamental guys like you get me all fired up. Honestly, if I could, I'd eat you instead of these fries."
Felix nearly choked on his Coke, and I couldn't stop myself from patting him on the back, thoroughly amused that someone could talk to Lucas like that.
Lucas, ever the drama king, retorted, "You've completely killed my appetite. You can eat all my dinner," sliding a tray toward her.
To everyone's surprise, Hannah picked at the food with a smile, not protesting at all.
Lucas rested his chin on his hand and watched her sideways, disgust barely hidden on his face.
"What?" she asked, licking her fingers with exaggerated sweetness. "Haven't you ever seen a woman eat? Or do you want me to feed you?" She playfully offered him a French fry, but he turned his face away indignantly.
"This kind of behavior isn't helping your case," he muttered. "You're just making me want to leave Los Angeles as soon as possible."
"Oh, stop," she shot back smoothly. "What you say and what you think are two different things. If you didn't like me, you wouldn't be so eager to give me your lunch. No chance. You know I work hard and I'm starving."
Lucas was looking away, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth — the kind of smile only I noticed. I said nothing.
"I'm going to look for the bathroom, finish dinner, and meet you in the parking lot," he said, standing up.
But before he could leave, Hannah grabbed his hand with a charming smile.
"We'll see each other again, won't we?"
"Certainly not in this life," he answered coldly, pulling his hand free and walking away.
Hannah turned to me, clearly pleased with herself.
"So, what do you think? Can I tame this beast?"
I smiled, considering. "It's hard to say, but he really does like you. Lucas is a tough nut to crack. He acts like a cold-hearted bastard, but I'm pretty sure you caught his eye a long time ago."
She glanced over at Felix with a teasing smile.
"You used to be such a little devil, and now you're as polite as an angel."
Felix nodded. "One thing's for sure — Lucas needs proper treatment, too."