Luca wakes up.mAnd for one horrible second, his heart stops.
LUCA
*He's gone.*
The thought hits before he's even fully awake.
LUCA
*He left.*
His breathing catches.
LUCA
*No. No no no.*
Then something shifts behind him. An arm tightens around his waist. A sleepy voice mumbles into his hair.
JULIAN
Five more minutes.
Luca freezes. Silence.
LUCA
*He's here.*
His chest hurts. Not in the bad way. In the way that almost makes him cry again. Because Julian came back. Because Julian stayed. Because sometime during the night, without even realizing it, Luca stopped holding onto the hoodie. And started holding onto Julian instead.
LUCA
*He's here.*
Luca snuggles into Julian. Julian smiles softly.
LUCA
Mmhhh.
JULIAN
Mhh?
LUCA
Mmhhh.
JULIAN
Morning to you to.
They just lie there holding echother. Then Julian sits up.
JULIAN
Ok. Get up sleepy head we need to get ready for school.
Luca is still curled up to Julian not wanting to let go.
LUCA
5 more minutes.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
That's what I said.
Luca hums. Still half asleep. Still holding onto Julian.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
Luca.
No response.
JULIAN
Sleepy head.
Luca snuggles closer.
LUCA
No school.
Julian laughs softly.
JULIAN
Unfortunately, school exists.
LUCA
Mean.
Julian laughs again. Actually laughs. Not the broken kind. The real kind.
JULIAN
Mean?
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
You're stealing my bed.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
You're stealing my hoodie.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
You're stealing all my blankets.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
And somehow I'm the mean one?
Luca opens one eye.
LUCA
Yes.
Julian smiles so hard his cheeks hurt. Because Luca's teasing him. Because Luca's talking. Because Luca's still here. And because, after everything that happened yesterday, hearing Luca complain about school feels like the best thing in the world.
JULIAN
Up or we will be late and Mr. Reed will make us suffer.
Luca shoots upright so fast he almost headbutts Julian.
LUCA
WHAT?!
Julian jumps.
JULIAN
Good morning to you too.
LUCA
WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT?!
Luca is already halfway out of bed.
JULIAN
I literally just did.
LUCA
HE'S GOING TO COOK ME AGAIN.
Julian bursts out laughing.
JULIAN
Sleepy head, Mr. Reed isn't waiting outside with a hit list.
LUCA
YES HE IS.
JULIAN
Luca.
LUCA
HE ADMIRED MY STUPIDITY.
Julian starts laughing harder.
LUCA
STOP LAUGHING! THIS IS TRAUMA!
JULIAN
You thanked him.
LUCA
I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS AN INSULT.
JULIAN
You said thank you.
LUCA
I WAS BEING POLITE.
Julian is laughing so hard tears form in his eyes. Not sad tears.aughing tears.
LUCA
AND THEN HE SAID THINKING WAS HARD UNDER PRESSURE.
JULIAN
Which apparently it is.
LUCA
TRAITOR.
JULIAN
You said a simile was an animal.
LUCA
I PANICKED.
Julian wipes his eyes. Still smiling. Because Luca's arguing with him. Because Luca's dramatic. Bpecause Luca's here.
JULIAN
Come on, sleepy head. Get dressed.Mr. Reed awaits.
LUCA
Cruel.
Julian climbs out of bed.
Luca follows. Half asleep. Hair a disaster. Still wearing Julian's hoodie. Julian grabs his clothes.
LUCA
Julian?
JULIAN
Hmm?
Luca hesitates. Immediately embarrassed. Looking at the floor.
LUCA
Can I ask something stupid?
Julian's smile softens.
JULIAN
Always.
Luca fiddles with the sleeves.
LUCA
Can we...
He pauses.
LUCA
Can we hold hands?
Julian freezes. Not because it's weird. Not because they haven't before.But because Luca asked. Luca immediately turns red.
LUCA
Forget it. That's dumb.
JULIAN
Luca.
Luca stops. Julian walks over. Takes his hand. Intertwines their fingers.
JULIAN
You never have to be embarrassed to ask me that.
Luca stares at their hands. Still a little red.
LUCA
Okay.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
Besides.
I was planning on stealing your hand anyway.
Luca smiles softly.
LUCA
Traitor.
JULIAN
You keep calling me that.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
And yet you're wearing my hoodie.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
Sleeping in my bed.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
Stealing all my blankets.
LUCA
Mhm.
JULIAN
And holding my hand.
Luca looks down shyly. Then squeezes his hand gently.
LUCA
Mhm.
Julian smiles so hard his cheeks hurt. Because yesterday Luca ran away. Yesterday Luca couldn't look at him. Yesterday Luca was convinced he'd leave. And today? Today Luca asked to hold his hand. And somehow... That feels bigger than anything else. They walk to class everyone giving them wired looks.
LUCA
Why is everyone staring at us?
He whispers to Julian. Julian glances around. A few students immediately look away.
JULIAN
...I don't know.
LUCA
They're definitely staring.
JULIAN
Maybe your hair.
Luca immediately starts flattening it with his free hand.
JULIAN
Too late.
LUCA
Helpful.
JULIAN
Always.
Another group walks past. One of them looks at Luca. Then at Julian. Then whispers something before all three walk away trying not to laugh. Luca slowly turns to Julian.
LUCA
...
JULIAN
...
LUCA
Should I be concerned?
JULIAN
Probably not.
LUCA
That wasn't convincing.
JULIAN
It wasn't meant to be.
LUCA
Traitor.
JULIAN
There it is.
By the time they reach their first class, Luca has looked over his shoulder at least six times.
LUCA
I swear they're following us.
JULIAN
They're walking to class.
LUCA
...That would explain it.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
It usually does.
Lunch.
Ethan drops into the seat across from them.
ETHAN
So...
Luca points at him dramatically.
LUCA
You know.
ETHAN
Know what?
LUCA
Why everyone's looking at us.
ETHAN
...You don't know?
Luca and Julian exchange a look.
LUCA
Know what?
Ethan blinks.
ETHAN
Wait.
Seriously?
Julian frowns.
JULIAN
Ethan.
ETHAN
I thought you told him.
LUCA
Told me WHAT?
Riley sits down beside Ethan.
RILEY
Please tell me he doesn't know.
Theo arrives a second later.
One look at Luca's confused face.
THEO
...He doesn't know.
LUCA
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN?!
Ethan rubs the back of his neck.
ETHAN
Okay, so...
Apparently the school has a theory.
Luca narrows his eyes.
LUCA
A theory.
ETHAN
Yeah.
RILEY
It's really stupid.
THEO
Embarrassingly stupid.
LUCA
...Go on.
ETHAN
People think you don't own any hoodies.
Silence.
LUCA
...
JULIAN
...
LUCA
What?
ETHAN
They think every hoodie you wear belongs to Julian.
Luca looks down.
He's wearing Julian's hoodie.
Again.
LUCA
...
ETHAN
And...
Someone's been keeping track.
LUCA
Keeping track?!
THEO
There's a list.
RILEY
Color-coded.
LUCA
COLOR-CODED?!
ETHAN
Last I heard, you're up to nine.
LUCA
NINE WHAT?!
ETHAN
Nine sightings in Julian's hoodies.
Luca turns very, very slowly toward Julian.
LUCA
...
JULIAN
...
LUCA
Do I...
Own hoodies?
Julian tries not to smile.
He fails.
JULIAN
You do.
LUCA
Then why am I always wearing yours?
Julian shrugs.
JULIAN
Because you keep stealing them.
Luca gasps.
LUCA
I DO NOT STEAL THEM.
Julian raises an eyebrow.
JULIAN
Sleepy head...
You're wearing one right now.
Luca looks down again.
Long pause.
LUCA
...
LUCA
This one doesn't count.
ETHAN
Why not?
LUCA
I slept in it.
RILEY
That's somehow worse.
THEO
The chart's going to need updating.
LUCA
THERE'S A CHART?!
ETHAN
Ya.....
LUCA
Well.....
He looks at Julian.
LUCA
I'm keeping this and I'm still wearing your hoodies.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
By this point there our hoodies.
Luca smiles.
LUCA
See!
ETHAN
This is your take?
THEO
Not the chart?
LUCA
The chart is weird.
THEO
Agreed.
The bell rings.
THEO
Saved by the bell.
ETHAN
Sadly.
The group stands, grabbing their backpacks.
RILEY
See you guys later.
THEO
Try not to get into trouble.
LUCA
No promises.
Julian laughs.
JULIAN
Come on, sleepy head. We've got science.
LUCA
Traitor.
The two head down the hallway together, still bickering as they disappear into the crowd. When they get to science Julian takes the seat next to Luca. Julian grabs Lucas hand under the table. Luca starts blushing. Then the teacher walks in.
MS. PARKER
Ok class take your seats.
Just as Ms, Parker is about to start Emma comes in late.
EMMA
Sorry. Sorry. I'm so sorry I'm late.
MS. PARKER
its fine just go take a seat I'm about to start.
Emma nods and takes the seat right next to Julian.
EMMA
Hey.
She whispers so Julian can hear but so can Luca.
JULIAN
Hey.
EMMA
You look good today not that you dont everyday.
JULIAN
Thanks. *that's so nice of her.*
EMMA
No problem.
LUCA
*She needs to back the hell off. He's taken. TAKEN I SAY.*
The rest of the class gose by with Emma flirting with Julian, Julian not realizing, and Luca getting more and more annoyed each second. Then the bell rings.
LUCA
Well me and Julian got to go. We have a project that's due tomorrow.
EMMA
Do you mind if I tag along?
LUCA
N-
Julian cuts off Luca.
JULIAN
Of cores you can.
They all head back to Luca and Julian's dorm and sit on the couch.
LUCA
So should we start?
JULIAN
Ya. Let's do it from the top.
LUCA
Ok.
JULIAN
Ok sidekick what's our mission today?
LUCA
Pirates mission today is to solve a riddle boss.
JULIAN
Well what the riddle?
LUCA
One knight a king and a queen went out for pizza and each ordered one pizza and the waiter brought out 3 why?
JULIAN
Mhhhh. Oh it must be a knight like the ones that fight.
LUCA
Oh boss your so smart.
JULIAN
Thank you.
The Luca and Julian both bow. Emma claps.
EMMA
Julian you did so good.
JULIAN
Thanks.
EMMA
No problem hey can I tell you a joke?
JULIAN
sure
EMMA
Knock Knock
JULIAN
Who's there.
EMMA
Where when.
JULIAN
Where when who?
EMMA
My place, 6 o'clock, just me and you.
JULIAN
Ohh that's smooth.
EMMA
Hahahah. You dont know how much I like talking to you do you?
JULIAN
I dot know do I?
EMMA
Hahahaha. Your the only one who can make me laugh like this.
LUCA
* I swear. She needs to get back. BACK I SAY! BACK AWAY!*
JULIAN
well its getting late I think I'm going to head to bed.
LUCA
Ok ba-*shit I almost called him babe I front of Emma.*
JULIAN
Ya im going to get pj's on.
LUCA
Ok I'll walk Emma out.
JULIAN
Ok.
Julian heads to his room to get changed and Luca walks Emma to the door.
LUCA
Bye
EMMA
Bye.
Emma walks away and Luca closes the door. Then practically sprints to Julian's room and opens the door a tiny bit. He peaks throw the crack and sees Julian shirtless. Luca smiles like an idiot.
LUCA
*He's so handsome. How did i get so lucky?*
Then Julian notices Luca and truns to the door and flexes. Luca practically dies.
JULIAN
You like what you see?
LUCA
Hot! I mean... handsome! I mean... you're... mine! I MEAN... AHHHHH! *2HAT AM I SAYING SHUT UP!*
Luca covers his face.
JULIAN
Mine?
LUCA
I said nothing.
JULIAN
You definitely said something.
LUCA
I hate you.
JULIAN
No, you don't.
Luca groans and drops his hands.
LUCA
You're annoying.
JULIAN
And you're still staring.
LUCA
Because you're handsome!
He immediately covers his face again.
LUCA
Oh my God.
Julian laughs.
JULIAN
Come here, sleepy head.
Luca rolls his eyes, but walks over and climbs into bed beside him like it's the most normal thing in the world.
He curls up against Julian immediately.
JULIAN
Comfortable?
LUCA
Mhm.
Julian pulls the blanket over them.
Luca is still bright red.
JULIAN
You're adorable.
LUCA
Don't.
JULIAN
Cute.
LUCA
Julian.
JULIAN
Flustered.
LUCA
Go to sleep.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
Goodnight.
LUCA
Goodnight.
Luca snuggles closer. A few seconds pass.
LUCA
...Still mine.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
Still yours.
Luca finally relaxes.
JULIAN
And still shirtless.
LUCA
I dont care I'm tired.
JULIAN
Goodnight sleepyhead
LUCA
Goodnight.
They fall asleep shortly after. In the morning Luca wakes up first.
LUCA
hmmm. *He's so handsome.*
He watches Julian's chest rise and fall.
LUCA
*Emma. I hate her.*
Luca takes a deep breath.
LUCA
*its fine. Calm down.*
Luca wakes Julian up.
LUCA
We got to get ready for the day.
JULIAN
Mhhhhh. Fine.
They get up and get ready for the day. Then head to school. They enter the school and Ethan runs up to them.
ETHAN
Heyyyyyyy.
LUCA
Heyyyyyyy.
JULIAN
Hey.
RILEY
hi.
THEO
Hello.
MIA
Hey.
EMMA
Heyyyyy.
ETHAN
Guess whattttt?????
LUCA
What??
ETHAN
Emma invited all of us to the movies tonight. You guys free.
JULIAN
Oh ya we are. What movie are we seeing.
EMMA
Hoppers
LUCA
Fun. *i will not survive.*
Then the bell rings.
JULIAN
Well see you guys later we got a project to present.
ETHAN
Ya see you later.
Luca and Julian walk to Mr. Reeds together. They sit down next to each other like always.
MR. REED
Ok class your 2 weeks is up. I'll be picking the pares who come up. First Luca and Julian.
Julian and Luca walk to the front.
JULIAN
So sidekick I got something to tell you. *hes Going to be so embarrassed.*
LUCA
What is it boss?*hes going off script.*
Julian looks at Luca and smirks. Only Luca understands the smirk.
JULIAN
I like you.
LUCA
I.....I like you to.
The class claps.
MR. REED.
Well I must say that was amazing acting. Class right there that is an A+.
Julian and Luca walk back to their seats. Luca sits down and immediately looks at Julian.
LUCA
You did that on purpose.
JULIAN
Did what?
LUCA
You know what.
Julian tries not to smile.
JULIAN
I have no idea what you're talking about.
LUCA
You went off script.
JULIAN
Maybe.
LUCA
Juju!
JULIAN
What? You liked it.
Luca's face turns red.
LUCA
...Maybe.
Julian smiles.
JULIAN
Thought so.
The bell rings.
LUCA
Come on. We have PE.
JULIAN
You excited?
LUCA
Absolutely not.
JULIAN
Why?
LUCA
Because Coach Taylor hates me.
JULIAN
Coach Taylor does not hate you.
LUCA
He made me run laps because I "looked suspicious."
JULIAN
You were hiding behind the equipment shed.
LUCA
Exactly. Suspicious.
JULIAN
Let's go.