Lucas accepted the metal stick from her but shook his head at what she was saying.

“No, no…” he said. “We don’t need to stop hanging out or anything.” He let in a nervous chuckle. “My friends do this every time I ever talk to a girl. They’ve just been pushing for it a little more. I guess because you’re…”

Lucas’s voice trailed off, and he realized he didn’t know how to finish that sentence exactly. He rolled the metal stick between his fingers as he quickly tried to think of something to say.

“You?” He finished somewhat lamely, but then he attempted to cover it up.

“I mean—It’s just—You’re really shy and stuff, and, you know… No one ever thought you would ever hang out with someone like me.” He looked down at his lap, feeling a little bad.

“Alice, are our powers the only reason we became friends?” he asked her innocently, finally looking up from his lap. He didn’t look hurt, just curious.