C12 Dinner

When I drop off Alinn at her house, we see Lukas sitting on the couch in the living room and talking to Mrs. Avery. Alinn retreats and is about to return to my car when I hold her arms.

“Where are you going, little lady?” I ask, almost gagging at my own laughter. “This is your house.”

“Alinn, welcome back!” Mrs. Avery greets. “You have a visitor.”

Lukas’ gaze turns toward Alinn, and his lips curl into an embarrassed smile.

“Congratulations,” he says.

Alinn grimaces. “What are you doing here?!”

“Alinn! Learn to treat your guest better.”

She turns to her parents and purses her lips. “Sorry,” she apologizes, and Lukas grins.

Alinn turns to look at me to ask for help. However, this time, I can’t. Lukas is a guest like me at her house. And so, I pat her shoulders and walk toward her parents.

“Teacher Cassie, welcome to our house.”

“Good day, Mrs. Avery.” I glance at Mr. Avery and bow my head at him. “I just dropped Alinn off, but I will leave soon.”

“Stay for dinner,” Mrs. Avery says. She leans toward me and whispers, “Ain’t he a handsome young man?” she asks, referring to Lukas.

I only smile. Besides, Alinn’s parents will soon learn that Lukas is more than that.

“The young man brought some cupcakes for us and my daughter. He learned that our Alinn won first place on the science quiz.”

I nod. “All her classmates and friends from school were notified of her win.”

“Ain’t it great?” she says. She turns towards her daughter and orders, “Alinn, prepare the table. Let your teacher and classmate have dinner first.”

Lukas and I thank Mrs. Avery while Alinn walks away to prepare the table. When we enter the dining room, we find a table ready with two extra places.

“My daughter always wanted to invite you for dinner,” Mrs. Avery divulges.

She sits and gestures for us to do the same. I sit beside her while Lukas takes the seat next to Alinn—something that Alinn grimaces about.

“Thank you for inviting us to dinner,” Lukas says politely, while Alinn rolls her eyes.

“Of course! We are happy that our Alinn has new friends.”

Alinn shoots a look at me, then quickly looks away. This time, Lukas catches it and grins at her. I cough to hide a laugh again. She really is getting restless.

“Your daughter is a nice friend. I would like to be her friend for a very long time,” he answers.

Alinn’s face pales, and she looks at me again as if begging for help. I shake my head in exasperation. He is not wrong about Alinn being a nice friend. Alinn is normally an amiable person and a good friend to those she likes. However, Lukas has been acting creepy toward her, which makes her feel disgusted at him.

“Alinn is one of our best students,” I continue. “She will soon graduate with top honors.”

Lukas looks at me. “What?”

“Alinn is a senior student,” I inform him.

“She’s not younger than me?” he asks.

“She is. But she studied early. Right, Mrs. Avery?”

“She did. Our Alinn liked books even before she started school. Wouldn’t you believe it? She learned her numbers at the age of three!” she exclaims proudly.

Lukas looks at Alinn. “Mrs. Avery, are you allowing Alinn to have a boyfriend now?” he asks, changing the topic. “I would like to apply.”

Alinn spurts out her food, and I chuckle. I shift my attention to Mr. and Mrs. Avery. Their mouths are agape. I move towards him and hit the back of his head. I pull him up and say, “I am sorry about this little man, Mr. and Mrs. Avery. You know how teenagers are.”

Mr. Avery rubs his head and chuckles softly. On the other hand, Mrs. Avery looks at Lukas and then at Alinn. “My daughter can decide about that. We don’t mind if she has a boyfriend. As long as she is happy.”

Lukas beams and looks at me. “You heard that? I am allowed!”

I sigh. “I am happy for you. But you need Alinn to like you.”

He turns to Alinn and gives her a warm smile. “I will wait for you,” he says with a wink at her. “I’m sure you will like me once you get to know me more.”

Alinn grimaces. “Ma, I lost my appetite. Can I go?”

“Okay, dear,” Mrs. Avery says reluctantly.

Alinn pushes her chair back and leaves the room. Lukas follows her with his eyes. But when she disappeared, Lukas continues to talk with Alinn’s parents, his happiness obvious throughout the dinner.

“It’s dark already. I will bring you to your house, Lukas,” I offer.

“Okay,” Lukas says with a nod. He’s being easy to handle today.

Lukas and I say goodbye to the Avery’s. Afterward, I walk to my car and slide into the seat before turning the ignition key. Once Lukas is safely in the passenger seat, we drive away in silence.

When we arrive at his house, I glance at the clock. It only takes twenty minutes to reach our destination, since traffic is not an issue in this town. After Lukas enters his house, I say my goodbye. I am halfway towards my car when he calls, “Teacher Cassie!”

“Hmmm?” I ask, turning back to him.

“My father is here. Do you want to meet him?”

I glance at my wristwatch. It’s already pretty late.

“It will be quick since my father is a busy man,” he adds.

“Okay then.”

Lukas grins. He opens the door wide, and I enter. He ushers me into the living room, which is spacious and inviting. I sit in one of the soft leather chairs. There is an elegant wooden table and a cozy rug, which gives the room a sense of luxury.

Lukas disappears from my sight to get his father. While waiting, I think of everything I can discuss with his father. His academics. His behavior. His life at school.

Five minutes later, Lukas is back. This time, he is accompanied by his father, who is wearing a white shirt that appears impossibly attractive on him. A smile spreads across his face while his eyes linger on me… a bit too long for my liking.

My eyes widen. This is the same man that I thought was Mr. Ellis!