Black and White

Chasing his dreams, seemed like something out of his league for Lucas nowadays, he didn’t find the same joy in painting as he did, back when he was a kid.

He was still following the path that would lead him to achieve something close to his dream, but somehow the shining destiny that he had once imagined in the innocence of his childhood, now seemed hazy and not worth achieving.

The presence of Evan was the only thing which was holding him back from calling his existence meaningless.

His baby brother was the solemn source of color in his life, that was otherwise, mostly black and white.

“Evy, where are your shoes buddy, we have to leave for day-care, we’ll get late.” Lucas called out from halfway under the bed, to a fully dressed Evan, who was sitting on the edge, his little bare feet dangling in air.

The raven haired kept searching for his younger brother’s bright yellow shoes for a few more minutes, until he finally noticed that the toddler was seated on the bed unusually quietly, his rosy lips forming a sad pout.

Evan was rarely expressive about anything, but the one thing he had shown open dislike for, was going to his day-care, often doing things like hiding his shoes, or hiding himself under the blanket or behind the couch, so as to not go.

Evy would stay with Austin for the time Lucas would be attending his university, but after that, the older boy had working hours and he too had his part-time job at the café, so there was nobody to take care of him during his shift, which is why Lucas and Austin had admitted Evan for a day-care facility nearby.

The day-care had a handful other kids and the environment seemed really friendly, the babysitters were very polite too, and it had been just a few weeks since he had started, but for some reason, Evan didn’t like going there.

Lucas exhaled a sigh and plopped down beside the pouty baby, lifting him on his lap.

“I know you don’t like day-care buddy, but I can’t leave you alone.” Lucas gently explained, as he stroked the smaller boy’s curly, auburn locks.

“Tin?” Evan asked, his big round eyes hopeful.

“Austin has work too, buddy, sorry.” The raven-haired answered with a sad smile.

“I’ll come pick you up early today, Lu will come back very fast for Evy.” Lucas assured.

“Yes, Lu fast.” Evan nodded, still sulking.

“Let’s get your shoes now, and because Evy is a good boy, I’ll get you a chocolate too.” Lucas said, while they stood up, dropping a kiss on the boy’s cheek.

“Choco!” Evy squealed, finally cheering up, as they disappeared into the hall, with his resonating giggles that brightened up the whole apartment.

Lucas dropped Evan with the babysitter, as the little boy obediently waved him good bye, and then he set off towards his own job.

The café he worked at was called ‘Pastries & Polaroids’ and it was run by a young man called Kyle Alders, who was very polite and caring, but was a little clumsy.

Kyle had taken Lucas under his wing when he was all out of options and desperate for a job, and just like Austin, Lucas looked up to Kyle too, who was always helpful and very dependable.

Pastries & Polaroids was a very aesthetic and well-maintained café, it’s environment flaunted Kyle’s cosy, nature loving taste, and the raven-haired loved working there, it was busy, but never hectic and the salary was perfect for his needs.

When Lucas reached the café though, he was met with a disastrous mess, Kyle had burned his hand and was still trying to work, worsening the situation even more.

It appeared particularly busy today, they were falling short of workers.

“Kyle, leave it, let me do it!” Lucas urged and lightly pushed the older away from the coffee machine.

“Lucas, at least let me help a little bit, the other waiter is not here too, you’ll get burdened!” Kyle fretted, supporting his bandaged hand with his other one.

“It’s okay Kyle, you can’t do it with the injured hand, please rest, I’ll manage.” Lucas stated already getting to work, which made the other sigh.

“But Luke,” Kyle started again, concerned for the younger, but he was cut off.

“No buts, I got this.” Lucas smiled at the tall, clumsy man, who reluctantly agreed at last.

Kyle was well aware of Lucas’s habit of wanting to do his best at everything and at the end he would overwork, it worried him sometimes, the younger always thought about everyone else, but himself.

By the time Lucas was finished, he was really tired, he didn’t even realize how the time passed by and it suddenly doomed upon him that he was almost forty minutes late, to pick up Evy.

He swore at himself in frustration, as he left the café that instant, how could he be so stupid to not keep track of time, especially today of all days.

The raven-haired rushed towards the day-care and he saw Evan standing right by the gate, all alone, as droplets of fat tears ran down his apple cheeks.

The moment he caught sight of Lucas, the toddler broke into loud heart-breaking sobs, and ran towards him.

Lucas immediately engulfed his little body in his arms, feeling awfully guilty.

“Lu, no fast.” Evan mumbled between sobs, clutching Lucas’s shirt, as the raven-haired felt his own eyes getting glassy at the words, his baby brother had asked one thing of him and even that he couldn’t fulfil.

“I’m so sorry Evy, Lu is very sorry buddy.” Lucas replied regretfully, hugging the little boy tight, while rubbing his back to calm him down.

He felt so helpless, holding the crying boy in his arms, knowing that he had failed his precious, little brother.

The sky was choked up with grey clouds, blocking all sunrays, reflecting Lucas’s stifling emotions.

The nineteen-year-old walked back home with heavy steps, holding Evan securely, who’s sobs had eventually turned into little sniffles.

When the duo reached the entrance of Adroit, they stumbled into Austin, who noticed the sullen expression of Lucas, as well as the dried tears on Evan’s sleeping face, at a single glance.

“Is everything okay, Luke?” Austin asked in concern and Lucas passed him a tired nod.

“Not really, but I’m too exhausted to talk about it right now.” Lucas answered quietly.

“It’s okay, go take rest.” Austin squeezed pat his back and let out a sympathetic sigh as he watched him walk away slowly with Evy.

Lucas had a lot on his shoulders, and Austin had always tried to support his burden, in hopes of lightening the weight, but somehow, it seemed like it kept getting heavier for the younger boy.

With things going this way the ginger haired was afraid, that Lucas would push him away too, and crash under the weight all on his own.

He only hoped for something better, a miracle or whatever that would help them through this.

Just then, Austin’s deep troubled thoughts got interrupted by his ringing phone, and the moment he saw the familiar name on screen, he immediately picked it up.

“You brat! got transferred to the London Institute branch, and didn’t even tell me.” Austin accused even before the caller could greet him.

“Don’t say it like that Austin, it all happened in a hurry, I didn’t get a chance to.” A deep voice answered with a nervous chuckle.

“Did you already fill the application for the dorm?” Austin asked.

“Not yet but,” the voice began.

“Great, don’t apply, I have a spare room in my apartment.” Austin spoke quickly, cutting him off.

“Ah but, I don’t want to trouble you.” The boy on the call hesitated.

“Just shut up and be here tomorrow, I already sent you the address.” Austin firmly stated and the person on the line burst out giggling.

“You haven’t changed at all Tinny, alright then, since it’s no use arguing with you, I’ll grace you with my presence, Mr. Lee.” The voice brightly answered.

“I’ll be waiting for you then.” Austin replied and hung up, with a wide smile on his face.

He rarely ever smiled, but then again, such things came naturally, when one was around someone as cheerful as, Augustus Hale.