Chapter 20: Kissing The Ground

Luciana savored her own company at her house, eating from a gallon tub of vanilla bean ice cream, while having her eyes plastered onto the television screen. It isn't an everyday occasion for her to be by her lonesome in her own home with a tub of ice cream. Luciana enjoys a normal dosage of chaos, but she enjoys peace even more. She flickered her eyes at Jake and Rico's phones.

She wasn't even focused on what was happening in the show she was watching. Since she isn't much of a couch potato and decided to watch whatever looked mildly interesting. This television show was about a werewolf, who was in a relationship with a merman. The werewolf met the merman at their favorite deck, which they go to every full moon after gaining control of their supernatural impulses. They both enjoyed each other's company and did everything in their power to see one another. Luci thought of it as adorable, as she engorged herself with vanilla deliciousness.

She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulls it out and sees an unknown number calling her. She answers with mild reluctance. "Hello?"

"I've been calling Rico since school let out, and I know you're good friends with him — do you know where he is?"

"I'm sorry — who the hell is this?"

"Ken."

"Ken, how'd you get my number?"

"Rico gave it to me."

Luci becomes shocked, but that shock diminishes that it evens out the score, since she tricked him and Jake into going in that equipment room.

"Do you know where Rico is? I've been calling him nonstop and he won't answer, yet he—"

"Of course I know where he is."

"Okay."

"Okay," she replies back.

There was a moment of awkward silence until Ken inquired, "When I ask where he is, you are supposed to tell me exactly where. Where is he at?"

"He is where I know he is." For some reason, Luci felt the need to be playful.

"And where is it that you know he is?" he chuckles.

Luci grinned in amusement. He's actually playing along. "Rico is where I know he is, which is where I know he is."

He chortled. "Where do you know he is, where you know where he is?"

"I'll show you once we get there."

"What?"

"I'm on my way to your house to get you, so be ready."

"Luci, I'm so—" she hung up the phone before he could say anymore.

She arrived at his house and there he was, waiting outside on his porch.

"How did you know where I live?" he stepped into her vehicle and she began driving.

"I've given Rico rides to your house before. Remember?"

"Yeah," he remarks, with a grin. "That was some show you put on," he laughs.

"Yeah," she joins in laughter, "You have a nice sense of humor."

"I try," he replies, with a laugh, "And I'm astonished that you do as well."

Luci felt a defensive crease in her eyebrows form. "What do you mean?"

"You're just a very serious person."

"I'm not always serious," she says in defense, "I can be fun."

"Of course you can – of course you are," he agrees, "I'm sorry if what I said came out wrong."

"Just kidding," she teases; "See? I can be fun."

He uncomfortably laughs, "Yeah."

As awkwardness filled the atmosphere, Ken pulled out his phone and pretended to be occupied with it – Luci could tell he didn't know what to say or do and neither did she.

She looked ahead on the road and continued driving.

All of a sudden, Rico's phone starts ringing at a stoplight.

Ken peculiarly looked around, trying to find the location of the sound.

Luci grew tense and felt his eyes glued on her.

"Luciana, why do you have Rico's phone?"

"I have Rico's phone because it needed safekeeping for a bit," she fibs.

His eyes never leave her, as he observes her furthermore and he finally realizes something. "So, it was you who was texting me from his phone?"

She bites her tongue and keeps silent.

"I thought something was weird about Rico's texts." He takes his attention away from Luci. "You were too descriptive in the texts and besides, Rico hates texting and avoids it the most he can." He inhaled and exhaled. "I don't understand why you have his phone, or why you know where he is, but won't tell me. I'm so confused right now."

"You kept texting and calling nonstop," Luci breaks her silence, blurting, "I had to reply or else you would've ruined everything I planned."

"Ruined what?"

"My plans."

"Your plans, which are?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Yes it does matter," he argues, "This is my friend and I want you to tell me exactly where he's at now and why you have his phone!"

She glances at Ken's frustrated expression. "He is where I know—"

"No, I'm serious. Where is he?" he solemnly questions, "If you answer my question the way you've been answering them, I will lose my damn mind. Please answer me directly."

"I have Rico's phone, because locked him and Jake in the old Saundergate building, so they can admit their love for each other. I also have Jake's phone too."

He eyes her bizarrely, "So, to put it lightly, you kidnapped them?"

"No—"

"You locked them in a room against their will," he interrupts, "What is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me of all people? They're the idiots that wouldn't see that they're meant to be together."

He chuckles to himself, "So, you lock them in that rundown building?"

"I packed food and beverages for them in there and they have an air mattress, to get lovey dovey on."

"Wow," he laughs some more in shock. "You are full of surprises."

There's a long moment of silence until Ken's eyes are glued on her again. "Does that mean it was you who—"

"It was me who what?"

"—gave me your phone number?"

Luci freezes, but nevertheless, fesses up. "Yeah, I did." She stops at another stoplight.

"Why would you do that, after—" She grabs his face and kisses him. He kisses back almost immediately and also grabs her face.

Pulling back from one another, Luci confesses: "I like you."

Ken's face reddened as he looked away, grinning. "Woah."

"Will you reconsider going on a date with me?" she asks.

The stoplight turned green.

~*~

Arriving at the location, Ken was still taken aback from the events that occurred, as was Luci. She couldn't believe she actually kissed him and admitted her feelings, despite any future disapproval she'll receive in the future. They both entered the building and Ken followed behind her, dazed.

Ken wasn't paying attention to where they were walking until they were no longer moving. Luci was unlocking a door in the gym area.

As she unlocked the door and pushed it open, Jake and Rico were both gawking their way.

Both of them remained motionless until Jake sprang up and lifted Rico into his arms. "Baby, we're free!"

"Don't you dare drop me or I'll never forgive you!" Rico warns, as Jake jets past Luci and Ken.

Jake runs until they're outside and inhales the fresh air. Rico does the same. He puts him down and immediately gets on his knees and kisses the ground.

"Jake!" Rico exclaims.

"I told you I'd kiss the ground, once we got outside," he stood up, wiping at his lips. "Now, to kiss you."

"Hell no," Rico shoves him away. "Not after you kissed the ground!"

Jake makes a kissy face, making kissing noises with his lips, trying to grab Rico. Rico moves in time from his too close of a grasp. Each time Jake tried, Rico would slyly move out of reach. Jake began chasing Rico in circles, until he had Rico beat, once he tackled him into the grass and planted his face with kisses.