The next morning, Raven awoke as per her daily routine. Her mother rose early to make Raven breakfast and lunch before leaving for work. After Raven got dressed, she came downstairs, ate her breakfast, washed the dishes, and headed to her bus stop. When she got there, she saw a familiar face.

“Lucas!” she shouted.

Raven ran to him, hoping to ask if his injuries were better. Gasping for air, she prattled out, “Are you okay? How’s your arm? Leg? Any pain? Did you have to go the--”

“Stop!” he interrupted. “Calm down, please!”

Seeing it proper to follow his advice, Raven took a deep breath to cool off. “Okay, I’m fine. So, how are you?”

“I am fine,” Lucas replied. “Waiting for the bus, I see?”

“Yeah, I am. Are you?” she smiled.

Lucas had to be careful with his words. After all, lying to Raven was the last thing he wanted to do. “Yes, I am.”

“So,” she began curiously, looking behind him, “where’s your backpack then?”

“Oh, we have an assembly today and, after that, we are out of school,” he lied.

“Really? What school do you go to?”

“Creek High School.”

“Cool.”

“…Yes, it is...I suppose.”

The awkward silence took over, but Raven felt Lucas was staring at her. Trying to break the silence, he coughed. “Raven.”

“Y-yes?” she answered snapping back to reality.

“Tell me about yourself.”

“You want to know about me?”

“Is that wrong?”

“N-no, it’s not!” she laughed nervously. “It’s just I want to know more about you, too. After all, the first time we met you almost got hit by a car.”

“Fair enough,” he said lightly.

On the outside, Lucas was smiling, but on the inside, he was freaking out. “I did not want her to ask about me! I only wanted to know about her! ...But then again. She wanted to know about me,” he paused, hope rising with a mixture of dread. “She wanted to know me. Clearly, the truth must remain untold, so I must come up with a believable story. And quickly.”

“So, to decide who goes first, best 2 out of 3 for rock, paper, scissors,” she grinned.

Lucas burst into laughter at the thought of such a game. “Rock, paper, scissors? What a childish game! Raven…you intrigue me more and more.”

“I’m sorry, I thought it would be fun. We can decide another way,” she said embarrassed.

“No, no,” he interceded, “it is just…I have not played that game in years.”

They looked at each other for a moment then started the game. Raven counted to three then drew scissors while Lucas drew rock. They went again, and this time Raven drew rock and Lucas drew paper.

“I thought you said you haven’t played this game in years?” she asked frustrated.

“I haven’t. Guess it was just luck,” he said cockily.

Her face puffed up with frustration. To Lucas, she looked cuter. “Alright, Mr. Lucky Pants, since you won you can ask me a question.”

“Very well, Raven. My question is what grade are you in?” he questioned.

“I’m a sophomore, so 10th.”

“I see.”

“Alright! My turn. What grade are you in?” she questioned.

“I’m a sophomore as well,” he lied. “I’m just tall for my age.”

“Don’t worry. I understand. A lot of kids at my school are the same,” she laughed.

The more they continued; the more Lucas lied. Some things were true, but the only truth was his name.