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The sky had been bright and it was sunny when she made her way to her first class of the day. Lucy Carlyle wasn't a huge fan of morning classes, but she'd pretty much do anything for art. She wondered if her next piece should be a painting of the sunset. She'd have to get someone to come with her, it'd be nice to have some companionship while she snapped photos and got to sketching. However, when she left her class it was dreary and grey and she had a feeling that her mood was going to be similar.
As she waved goodbye to her classmates, Lucy wandered over to the vending machine that was set up across the courtyard from the building she had just exited. It had been a long day (thanks to the idiot that caused the clay pots to explode) and she had just gotten out of the studio; university was exhausting to go through and she needed a candy fix. Her eyes scanned the products inside of the vending machine before she settled on a packet of Skittles. She dug through her large bag and found some loose change. She inputted the coins one by one and listened to the satisfying clink as they fell down the shaft.
After that was done, she pushed the button for the Skittles and waited for the mechanism to push them out. The Skittles stopped moving and Lucy froze as well. She pushed the button again and again and again. The package didn’t move and she groaned in frustration. Lucy hit the button again before kicking the vending machine.
The kick didn’t do anything but cause her toes to ache and she released a curse so severe it would’ve shocked a sailor.
“Oh, come on !” She punctuated her words with several kicks, even though it’d been proven that it wasn’t going to help. “I just want my Skittles!”
She gave it an angry kick that was followed by an annoyed: “Let them out !”
Lucy gave the vending machine another several kicks that thudded dully and made an attempt to shake the machine, but her candy still wouldn’t budge. She was taken out of her thoughts by a polite cough behind her. She turned slowly and saw a tall, handsome man behind her.
He looked a year or two older than her with dark eyes and dark hair that looked messy, but she suspected it was made to look that way– like an effortlessly messy look. He was wearing a business casual outfit that consisted of a crisp, white button-up and black pants that looked a size too small. He also wore a long overcoat with sunglasses attached to the pocket.
“You have anger management problems.” Those were the first words he said to her. His tone was teasing and she fought back the urge to deck him.
Lucy stared at him for a moment, allowing her mind to catch up and process what he said. Once she realised what he said, her eyes narrowed and she tried to ignore the heat creeping up her neck. He wore a smile on his face and his eyes were crinkled in the corners.
“I do not!” Lucy indignantly exclaimed, her fists clenched tightly and she squared her shoulders as though she was ready to fight.
“You’ve kicked that poor machine about twenty times, from what I’ve counted,” he said smoothly, leaning against a column.
“It won’t give me my Skittles.” Lucy crossed her arms and glared at him.
“I’m Lockwood.” He moved forward and held out a hand. She regarded it cautiously, before sighing and shaking it.
“I’m Lucy.”
“Well, Lucy, do you want me to help?”
“What can you do that I haven’t been able to?” Lucy stepped away from the machine and gestured for Lockwood to try, an air of resignation surrounding them.
He smiled at her and proceeded to get on the floor. Lockwood stuck his hand up the retrieval flap, pushed it up, and let it fall back quickly, moving his arm out of the way. He did this a few more times and Lucy watched him, a feeling of confusion washing over her.
When it didn’t work, he let out a breath and grinned up at her. She stared at him and opened her mouth before closing it.
“What the actual fuck did you just do?”
Lockwood laughed. “I read somewhere that this would help it get more air so it’ll become unstuck.”
“Obviously it didn’t work.” Lucy glared at him.
“We’ll see about that, Luce.” Lockwood stood up and brushed the imaginary dirt off of his knees before giving the vending machine a good kick on the side.
Lucy’s eyes widened as she watched her package of Skittles move forward. It was on the edge, so close to teetering over before it stopped. She felt like she was punched in the gut and closed her eyes in annoyance.
She could hear the mirth colouring his voice: “Let’s see if another kick shall do it.”
A moment later, a whoop of victory slipped out of his mouth. Lucy opened her eyes and saw him reaching in and grabbing the package of Skittles. She grabbed them from his hand and stared at them before looking at him, wonder and amazement clear in her eyes.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you so so so much!” She flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “You’ve literally just made my day. How can I repay you? I’ll buy you one, if you want.”
“No need to repay me.” Lockwood flashed her a genuine smile that reached his eyes. “I just wanted to help you before you had to pay for the damages you inflicted on that poor machine.”
Lucy made a face. “You’re so hilarious.”
“I have my moments,” said Lockwood as he jammed his hands in his pocket. “Really though. I just wanted to help you out. I’ve had problems with this machine before, so I know all the tricks.”
“Let me still make it up to you,” insisted Lucy, hoping that her rapidly reddening face wasn’t too noticeable. “Does coffee sound good?”
“Not a fan of coffee, but I can be persuaded to get some biscuits with a very lovely lady.” The teasing was back, but Lucy didn’t mind it this time.
“Very well, then. I know the perfect place to get some biscuits.” Lucy grinned at him and when her eyes met his, she felt warmth flood through her being.
“Lead the way, m’lady.”