"I suck at this shit," I grumble to myself.

"You do," Luna snickers right next to me.

As if I needed a reminder.

I look exasperated at the piece of clay in front of me. At some point, we were going to be asked to start to sculpt. I just didn't know the teacher would ask for a trial right at the second class.

Who am I kidding? I knew this could happen, I  was just hopeful that... I don't know I could magically be good at it.

Ridiculous, right? I know, that's what you get for doing shit before thinking about it properly. 

Believe me, it happens more often than not with me. I should've learned by now but...

Oh well, I got to get through this now.

"Guys, no need to stress, just do whatever comes to your mind.  I just need to see what you're capable of doing,"

Well, fuck me. 

Apparently, my only gift is painting, because I can't even make a fucking square out of this shit.

"It won't materialize itself if you keep glaring at it," she taunts.

"Fuck off," I whisper-yell at her. "I don't know what the fuck to do."

Side-eyeing her, I notice how her hands are now covered in this greyish colour and how her clay bar is starting to get a shape. A perfectly shaped horse head. How the fuck can she even do that?

"Just do whatever you want," she shrugs.

"If I knew the easiest stuff to sculpt, I would," I hiss.

"Do a duck or a swan," she advises. "Or even a snake those oughta be easy, right?" 

My face lightens up at her advice. 

They have to be.

I start to finally model the clay, starting with the biggest part of the swan, their body, leaving a piece for the neck and head later.

The first shape comes off fine, slightly smaller than I intended but it has the right shape so I don't even bother touching it further so I don't ruin it. I move to do the neck and roll it down and shape it to the width I want it to be before attaching it to the body with a watered-clay brush.

Lastly, I do the head: oval-shaped with the prominent bill.

Once I have it all put together, I examine it. A frown finds its way onto my face and it turns into a scowl when I hear hushed giggling next to me.

"What are you laughing at?" 

"I just... what bird is that?" She asks, covering her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter.

It's beautiful. 

She might be mocking me and my lacking skills when it comes to sculpting, but damn, her laughter is melodic.

"It's a... swan." I frown at my sculpture. 

It looks anything but.

"It looks more like a mix between a Brachiosaurus and a... pelican."

I look at the small clay-shaped animal and scowl at myself. She's right, it's awful.

"I-" I am cut off by her hysterical laughter, bringing the class attention to us.

I groan internally knowing full well the teacher will come here now and see my excuse of a... whatever it is.

"What's so funny Miss Abblesboom?" 

She sobers up almost immediately, mumbling: "Nothing, sir."

When his eyes flicker to my work, he sniggers. 

"Mr Davis, that's... interesting. What is it?" 

"Depends on the brain of the beholder. I like to think of it as abstract. But it could be an extinct species, a hybrid or even a mythical animal." I try to play it off.

"Well, that's a way to look at it, that's for sure," he replies. "But you lack technic, a lot of it. Since Miss Abblesboom is so intrigued by your sculpting skills, I'd suggest you work together through the semester. I am sure she'll help you a great deal." 

He glances at her before looking back at me and I answer him with a nod and a smirk.

"No way," she argues.

"It's not up for discussion Miss, in fact, I want the entire class to pair up in groups of two. This was we can help each other improve and teach techniques that have been helping you out so far." 

He walks away, back to the front of the classroom.

I sigh in relief.

Thank god it's Friday and it's the last class of the week. I've already had enough of this and all I did was an ugly figure.

I just want to go home for the weekend. I can't wait to see my parents and the little devils.

"There's no way I am going to stick with you," she grumbles, bringing me away from my thoughts.

"We have no choice, it seems." 

"Well, I'll work by myself, there's nothing you can teach me anyway." 

"Are you sure? Look at my masterpiece, abstract art is my thing." I tease, sporting a smirk.

"Right," she snorts. "That's what someone says about their art when it sucks." she tuts. 

Heat creeps onto my cheeks and I try to fight against the blush that's threatening to appear. Thankfully, I've inherited y dad's tanned complexion, which hides it sightly.

"Well, wait until you see me in action in the Painting Class," I huff.

"Sure thing, Picasso." 

Just then the bell rings and she doesn't lose time to gather her things, place the sculpture by the drying cabinet and start to leave. I stand and copy her actions to try and keep up.

"I am serious!"

"Men and their egos," she scoffs. "I bet you have some kind of talent, you wouldn't be here if you didn't." Her recognition makes me smile. "Happy now?"

When she looks at me and notices the satisfied smile, she rolls her eyes and keeps walking.

"Hey," I call. "You never told me if you solved that situation last weekend?" 

She blushes and looks downward. I find myself fighting the urge to tilt her chin up.

"Thank you for that. I'll pay you back," she promises.

"I don't want any money back. It was my fault you were short on money. Twice so, uhm, if there was someone indebted to someone, was me to you." 

Her chocolate orbs lock into mine, shiny with emotion.

"You're the first person who has actually done something for me without asking for nothing in return." 

A sad smile appears on my lips. The fact that this girl has never had someone in her life to show her what kindness and caring for someone is, breaks my heart. 

"Well, if you want me to want something in return so much..." I trail off, forcing her to look at me puzzled. "You can teach me the sculpting gig," I smirk at her.

Luna swats at my chest and I can't help the chuckle that rumbles in my chest. 

"If that's your payment, I'll gladly do it." 

"It's a date then," I wink at her.

I'm about to speak again when a car horns.

"Stop flirting and get your ass inside, Davis!"

My eyes widen at the sight of uncle Jake, with his head popped out of the passenger's window. A knowing smirk on his face and in times like these, I swear I could punch him.

"I am not-" I stop myself with a silent curse.

"Go on, Picasso. I'll see you soon." Luna flashes me a smile and something flips inside of me.

"Y-yes," I stutter upon her bright smile. "I'm going home for the weekend. I'll see you Monday." 

Her smile falters, just for a second, and it makes me frown. She doesn't smile often but ever since last weekend she's been nice to me. Well, her version of being nice to me is to make fun of me and taunt me every chance she gets. 

But I don't even mind.

If that makes her laugh more, and be in a better mood, I'll be the clown every single time.

"We can text," I blurt. 

What the fuck is wrong with me? I am so fucking lame.

"Yes, sure," she shrugs her shoulder. "See you on Monday, Picasso."

She waves and turns around, leaving me standing in the middle of the sidewalk, watching her retreating figure.

HONK. HONK.

I jump at the sound of my uncle's car horn. Again.

"Stop daydreaming Romeo, and get in the car." 

"I am not daydreaming," I huff as I enter the passenger seat.

"Sure thing." He tuts. "Have you finally forgotten that you have a girlfriend? I'd advise a break up first but you do you, buddy." 

"I am not breaking up with Abby. I love her," I clarify. "Luna's just a friend."

"A friend that you gave two grand to, no questions asked. I wouldn't do that for just anyone kiddo, are you sure she's just a friend?" 

"Yes," I grit out.

She is. 

That's all she can be. A friend. I have Abby and I love her. 

Sure she can be difficult sometimes but what is love without commitment and hardships?

If my parents got through everything, we will too.

I solemnly believe in that.

The drive home is relaxing. Uncle Jake doesn't press the subject anymore, he knows when I get riled up and stops. The only sound filling the silence is our playlist, helping the three hours-drive look like a one hour one and before I can realize it, we're already parking in front of the house.

"Go ahead, I'll park up on the back and I'll meet you inside," he says, unlocking the car.

I nod and rush outside, eager to hug my parents and taunt Jeremy and Wilder.

However, when I get inside I am greeted with an eery silence. Something my house doesn't know it's silence.

Weird.

I drop my back by the entrance and trudge inside, looking for a sign that someone's inside. There isn't.

Until I hear something.

A faint sound coming from the kitchen.

With a frown, I come closer and the sound becomes clear.

It's a... moan?

"Like this baby?" A manly pant. "God, you feel so good!"

What the...

I round the corner, looking straight into the kitchen. 

The sight before my eyes scars me for life.

My mom's sitting on the kitchen counter with my dad positioned between her legs, fucking like motherfucking rabbits and I do the first thing my brain tells me to.

I cover my eyes and... 

"AHHHHHH!" 

"AHHHHHH!"  someone else screams.

"What the fuck are you guys doing?" I screech.

It burns. I'm blind, for sure.

"Oh my," My mom stutters. "Liam, oh my god, you told me no one was coming until dinner time," she cries.

I peek from between my fingers and notice my dad covering my mom up with his body. They're both flushed and look like they've been... I can't even think about it.

Shit, seeing my parents going at it it's just freaking traumatizing.

"Well, how long have you been at it? It's nearly 8 p.m." I can't help myself.

They both gasp in realization and I swear, if it weren't my parents doing the nasty, I'd be surprised at their stamina.

Fucking hell, this is awkward.

"Uhm, Dylan," my dad speaks, "Do you mind? We need to, uhm, move. We can't with you standing there." 

Oh.

Oh...

"Oh shit, yes! Sorry!"

I turn to climb up the stairs, only to crash onto Uncle Jake's chest.

"Oh my..." He smirks. "Good to see you still go at it like hormonal teenagers!" 

I splutter, trying to contain my laughter but it turns into a nasty cough.

"Come on dude, I am scarred for life. Let them get... presentable!" 

I grab his wrist and pull him with me up the stairs, desperately trying to clean my brain of the traumatic image that has just been implanted there. 

"Don't forget I want a niece this time around," he yells just before I close my bedroom door.

Jesus Christ, why do I have to have a crazy family like this?

⛓️ A u t h o r ' s N o t e ⛓️

I love this chapter. I have been missing Liam and Willow so much that just felt the need to add them to this chapter. And I also wanted to show you guys how in love they still are ahah 

There's also a change in Dylan and Luna's dynamic. I am so excited to know about your opinions, honestly!

The next chapter will be another Dylan chapter.