“Uh huh, okay.” Yuki said slowly, nodding her head, after calming down and the blush on her face had disappeared. She tapped her index finger against her lips and stared at both Luca and I in deep thought, which meant she was seriously thinking about something.

See Yuki, Aria, Luca, and I have a four way interesting friendship. Luca is the instigator and most often he is also the one who teases us. I’m the leader, instigator, and most of the time victim of things like this, Yuki is the mediator and my comforter as well as my biggest support though at times she is a victim as well, and Aria…well she’s the one who yells at Luca and I, and incorporates pain on us. That’s our relationship, isn’t friendship great.

The room was dead silent as the mediator of our group slowly and carefully thought and we, the immature kids that constantly bicker, waited for her to say something.

Luca and I both glared at each other, just like rivals and or like really immature kids. I wore an annoyed expression and Luca wore an overconfident expression with a smug grin. If we were couple years younger I would be growling at him and he would be blowing a raspberry at me. And if were in a cartoon, sparks would be shooting out of eyes, if we were younger.

“So…Luca, you said that Shea has brain damage?”  Yuki asked Luca, causing the both of us to fix our attention back to her.

Luca smiled. “Yep. He actually thought that I was you, due to all the trauma that went to his head.”

I gawked at her, thinking that she was siding with him.

She ignored me. “Uh huh. And so he thought you were me?”

“I just said that.”

“Okay, so basically what your telling me is that because Shea had brain damage from falling, you took advantage of him?”

Luca’s smug expression rapidly changed to a surprised look after Yuki finished.”What?! No that’s not it! Not at all like anything as to what you said, no! I would never take advantage of my poor best friend!”

I snorted and quickly covered my mouth as they looked at me like I had yelled out something completely random. I thried containing myself but failed at it as my face was red and my shoulders moved rapidly as you could easily hear me snickering behind my hand.

They turned their attention back to the situation at hand.

“So you weren’t taking advantage of him?”

“No!”

“So you were taking advantage of him?”

Luca facepalmed. “I’m confused.”

“Your mom’s confused.” Felix said as he walked by, not even looking up from the old book he was reading.

At that point, I couldn’t help it anymore and I fell to my knees laughing and snorting as hard as I possibly could.  Soon Yuki started laughing as well while Luca rolled his eyes at us.

“Okay, okay, it’s not that funny, guys.” He said, sounding a little annoyed.

“Alright, just give me a minute.” I said while laughing.  Eventually I stopped and calmed down. I stood up and wiped a tear from my eye. “Okay, I’m good now.”
“Anyways, all I’m saying is that Shea hit his noggin a little too hard and may have possibly suffered some brain damage. So he needs special attention from you, spending the night with you might possibly do him some good.” He said with an evil smile on his face.

Yuki and I got what he meant by that and we both blushed.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Luca, that’s taking things too far, I’m not that type of guy.” I said, waving my hands around as anger started to boil up inside me. Why on earth would he mention that in front of us, was he trying to embarrass us? I turned to Yuki. “Right?”

Yuki didn’t say anything as she looked away from me.

She must hate me by now, thanks to Luca.

“Oh come on, Shea. You know you wanna.” Luca said to me in a sing song tone.

That was when my anger hit the roof. “THAT’S IT!” I yelled, trying to grab him. Of course though he escaped and he ran off with me close behind. We yelled out things as the stupid chase continued.

“You love her, you wanna kiss her.” Luca teased while laughing.

My face turned red again. “NO I DON’T!” I yelled out.

“Then why are you blushing?”

“I’M NOT BLUSHING!”

“Then why is your face red?”

“BECAUSE I’M PISSED OFF!”

Eventually things got really bad and I went back upstairs.

--Hours later—

Out on the roof garden, I stood leaning on the constantly changing fence, staring at the glass panels of this stupid dome covering New York from the outside world.

Ever since the nuclear attacks started and the old government failed thanks to it, all the major cities are now controlled by glass domes and are ruled by a selfish family, the Barons.

Thanks to them, no one knows what the outside world looks like.

On the inside of each dome, there is a digital sky that changes with the times in a day. Of course, to me for some known reason, I can easily tell that its fake and I hate it.

So recently I’ve been trying to glare through the dome to see what the outside world looks like.

Of course today, there was another reason as to why I am up here: I’m sulking. Luca went too far this time, and now Yuki probably thinks that I’m some kind of pervert, in short life now officially sucks.
I tried peering through the panels again towards the outside world but once again nothing.

I sighed and banged my head against the fence. Then I looked up at the digital sky. I had to admit, but it was really pretty today.

“Thought I would find you here.” Luca said, breaking the peace I had up here.

I hung my head in disappointment. “Go away. I’m not in the mood.”

“Oh so you’re still mad for earlier. I just want to apologize for my actions, so will you forgive me?” Luca asked. He sounded sincere so I sighed and smiled.

“Okay, I forgive you, and we’re cool.” I answered. Then I looked out at the Light District, where the “normal” people lived.

Luca leaned his back against the fence and stared at me. “Don’t worry about Yuki, I told her how you really are and said that I was out of line. What are you thinking about this time?”

“Just wondering about the possibilities that would follow if I was part of that.” I answered pointing towards the Light District. “Maybe if I wasn’t an orphan, then maybe Yuki would like me.”

Luca scoffed. “It would be exactly the opposite, haven’t you’ve noticed the way she acts around you?”

“Yeah, I just thought I was just scaring her. Why are you even up here?” I asked, changing the subject.  

“Guess now’s not the time to tease then.” Luca said, glancing up at the sky. “Ever feel like a prisoner here?”

“Yeah, almost all the time. Why the sudden deep question?”  I answered. ‘What the hell is he talking about? Even though I told him about how I feel about this place…oh wait that could be why.’ “Whatever stunt you are trying to pull, absolutely nothing will convince me of staying here.”

“I’m trying to convince you of anything.” Luca replied. “All I want to say is well your right about this place. Recently I’ve been feeling the exact same way, alright. Besides it was just a thought I had that felt like saying aloud.”

I looked at him with a skeptical smile. “Sometimes, Luca, you have absolutely the weirdest thoughts.”

I heard him quietly laugh at my comment. “You were always the most observant one of this group. Speaking of thoughts, do you think there’s another world out there?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Don’t know, though scientists have been trying to prove that for centuries. I would certainly like to think so.”

“Would you want to go to that other world?” Luca asked continuing to stare up at the panels of the dome.

“Shell yeah, I would, along with any other worlds out there. Honestly I want to see them all.” I answered, staring up at the panels as well.

Luca turned his attention to me. “Shea, you did it again. Really stop sounding like you some kind of dreamer, otherwise the Barons are going to take you away.”

I bashfully smiled. “Sorry I just can’t help it sometimes.”

Luca smiled and stared at the Light District. Then he started to laugh.

“What are you up to this time?” I asked him in suspicion.

“Oh, I got this amazing idea that’ll put you in a very good mood.” Luca answered with that Cheshire cat grin back on his face.

“Really, and what would that idea be?” I asked.

“Kissing the hottest girl in New York.” Luca answered.

My face flush but I acted like he hadn’t said that.  “Really?” I asked trying to sound aloof and I felt myself smirk. “And what makes you think….” I said turning around to see Luca grinning at me. “…that? Um…can I help you?”

“You like her.” He said slowly.

“Pardon?!” I said, my eyes getting a little wider and my voice cracking.

He started laughing. “Its written all over your face, Shea.” Then (of course) he broke into song. “You like her, you wanna kiss her…”

I started blushing again. “What?!”

“Shea and Yuki sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” He sang, while laughing. “sha-la-la-la don’t be scared, you wanna kiss the girl…”

“No I don’t and I don’t think that’s how the song goes.” I said, trying to deny it.

“Oh come on don’t be shy now, I know how much you would like it. And don’t you worry, I’m going to help you that kiss!” He announced giving me the dorky thumbs up getsure, while the evil smile was still on his face.

I rolled my eyes at him and groaned. “Great. Here comes another one of your crazed hare brained schemes.”

“Hey not all of my schemes are hare brained, and I prefer to call them foolproof plans.” He retorted.

“Oh really? Then why do your ‘plans’ always fail?”

“They don’t always fail!”

“They’ve done in the past!”

“Alright, name one plan that failed!”

“Operation: Solid Snake. Remember that one? We both hid in cardboard boxes so we could sneak into that video game convention like you see in the video game and we got caught by the janitor when we were 3 ft inside the building. We were turned into laughing stocks because of that!”

“Okay so some have failed in the past and gotten us into trouble, but just hear me out with this one, okay? This one will work perfectly, I’m sure of it.” He said grabbing me by my shoulders wearing a trusting smile on his face.

I gave him a skeptical look and groaned. “Alright.” I sighed. “What’s the scheme…”

“Plan!” He corrected me.

“Okay, what’s the plan this time?” I asked, knowing all too well that for some reason, I was really going to regret this.

“Yes!” He said under his breath as he gave me a big and unexpected hug. “I knew you would be interested!”

“No ass grabbing.” I said bluntly.

“Alright, whatever you say, buddy.” He said, stepping away from me with his hands still on my shoulders.

I smiled, totally oblivious to what was going to happen next.

He then grinned evilly and flipped me over.

I landed on my back and just stared at him, who was in fact, laughing at me.

“You’re on my list now, pal.” That was the only thing I could say.

“That’s nice to know.”  Luca said happily as he reached for my hand.

I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up.
“How ‘bout another hug?” He asked, ready to give me another one.

I laughed. “Yeah right, I’m not falling for that again.”

He snapped his fingers. “Drat.” He said sounding disappointed.

“Okay so tell me your ‘plan’ for getting the girl I like to kiss me.” I ordered nicely.

“You mean Yuki.”  He corrected.

“Whatever, just tell me your plan.” I said, getting annoyed.

Luca grinned. “Excellent. So here’s the plan: I’ll call Yuki up here and when she come up here, you’ll strike up a private conversation…”

“Wait, you know I can’t simply talk to a girl with babbling like a five year old and passing out within the first ten seconds. And where will you’ll be during all of this?” I pointed out to him, interrupting him.

“Passing out is not good for your health and just so you know, I, the master genius shall be hiding. And you interrupted me.” He answered back.

I snorted. “Master genius my ass!”

Luca gave me a disappointing look.

“Okay.” I sighed. “Please continue with the master plan O Great One.”

“Thank you. So then after you two have a heartwarming conversation, you two will be filled with passion and will be kissing in no time.” He smiled, getting dramatic.

“So why would you be hiding if you should be inside while I’m doing all the work?”  I asked, sounding unsure of his plan.

“Just so I can make sure that plan goes smoothly and that you don’t chicken out at the last minute.”  Luca answered.

‘Ha, bullshit.’ I thought to myself but I would never say that to my best friend. “Sounds kind of fishy to me.” I said. “And I won’t chicken out at the last minute.” I mumbled.

“Do you trust me on this?”  He asked.

I was hesitant. “Well I uh…”

“Well do ya?”

I sighed. “Yeah.” I looked up at him and smiled. “Okay I’ll trust you.”

“Alright let’s put Operation Amour into action.” He said happily and started taking a deep breath.

I stopped smiling. “Wait ‘Operation Amour’, what are you talking about…”

“YUKI!” Luca yelled out.

I started panicking. “Luca, what on earth are you doing?” I whispered hoarsely.

“Relax this is the plan.” He said turning towards the door that lead the inside of the orphanage. “HEY YUKI COME UP HERE, THERE’S SOMETHING COOL I’VE FOUND UP HERE!”

I panicked even more.

“Dude just relax. Everything is under control. YUKI PLEASE HURRY, ITS GETTING AWAY!”

I was about to protest when we both heard footsteps coming up the stairs.

Luca started backing away with a big smile on his face. Then he my shoulder. “Good luck, my friend and remember: act natural.” He whispered in my ear. Immediately after that, I felt a cool breeze behind me.

“Wait a minute, what do you mean…” I started asking, turning around, only to find that Luca was already gone. “…act natural?”

I started looking around (while staying in the same spot)for (the trouble making hyper active slightly insane schemeing no good bisexual 19 year old monkey squirrel that I happen to know by association as my best friend) Luca (sorry for the quick rant there I’ll explain that another time) hoping that he could give me another clue.

“Luca.” I whispered.

Nothing.

“Luca!”  I whispered out again.

Again, nothing.  (This would be the part where you would hear a wolf howling and several tumbleweeds rolled through the area if this was once again a cartoon).

I sighed. ‘Luca must be a ninja assassin/ spy person. That or he’s really good at hiding.’ I thought. Okay so I was being really skeptical of his “master plan” at this point, but as Nana always says: Be positive and smile. “Well at least she isn’t here yet.” I told myself in relief. (FYI: I have a tendency to talk to myself, so y’all can deal with it.)

“Who isn’t here yet?” Asked a very familiar female voice.

I jumped in surprise and quickly whipped around to see… “Yuki! Well isn’t this a pleasant surprise, I honestly really hoping that you wouldn’t…really…show…up.” I nervously said.

Yuki raised an eyebrow in confusion to my strange behavior. “Are you sure you’re feeling well?”

“Me, oh, I feel great! Absolutely perfectly normal!” I answered with some nervous laughter.

She looked unsure. “Really cause you’ve been acting very strange today.”

“Oh that, its just nerves! I mean Friday is my 15th birthday, plus we’re going back to school tomorrow and things are changing way too quickly.” I said, waving my hands. “You know what I mean?”

“Yeah, perfectly. I mean your right.” She said slightly happy.

“I’m right?” I stupidly asked.

“Yeah I mean it feels like I’m seeing things differently now, it’s really weird, right?” She answered.

I scoffed. “Absolutely.” I said confidently. ‘More than you’ll ever more.’ I thought. I felt more confident than ever before with her so maybe things would work out.

“So you know how I feel?” Yuki asked.

I nodded my head. “Say about earlier, I’m very sorry for what happened, hopefully you don’t hate me.”

Yuki looked surprised. “Hate you?! I could never hate you, Shea. You’re the nicest, coolest, amazing guy I have ever known.”

I blushed and looked away. “Gee thanks.”

The chain link fence that Luca and I were leaning on had changed into a medium sized iron gate, similar to the one at the old haunted mansion at the decayed Disneyland Park.

I leaned on it the fence, closed my eyes and smiled as a fake breeze came by.

“So what was it that you wanted to show me?” Yuki asked curiously.

“What?” I asked, sounding stupid again.

“Didn’t you call me up here to show me something?” Yuki said, tilting her head.