Wide awake

Chapter 2

Luke woke up tangled with Alex. Their legs were crossed over each other's and Luke's head was on his shoulder. He didn't want to wake Alex up, so he just laid there, enjoying Alex's comfort and warmth. Why did he enjoy it so much? I mean yeah, his love language was touch. That explains why he likes being so close to Alex....right?

Luke slowly moved apart from Alex when he realized he was waking up. "Good morning sleepy head." Alex yawned, "what time is it?" Luke checked his watch. "9:30. The boys are coming over for rehearsal at twelve." Alex climbed down from the loft. "Perfect, that leaves us time to get ready and go get some breakfast." Luke climbed down right after Alex. "Yeah.....Wait, what about your parents? You should probably go tell them where you were last night." Alex sighed. Something was up.

Why was Alex being so weird about seeing his parents? "I guess you're right. What about you? Aren't your parents worried as well?" Luke rubbed the back of his head. "Nah, they know where I am, they're just mad I'm not coming home. They'll get over it though." Alex wanted to give him some advice, but he didn't know what to say. "Okay well I guess I'm going then. See you at rehearsal." Luke waved goodbye as Alex walked out the door.

The truth was, Alex wasn't sure why he was nervous to go home. His parents loved him. They were caring, kind, and they even supported him financially if he needed it. So why was he so fucking scared to walk through the front door? He opened it and walked in, seeing his mom on the couch reading her Bible. Bingo.

It was that damn Bible. That was the reason. He was gay, and obviously his super religious parents wouldn't approve of that. But why was he nervous? He didn't have to tell them anything. So why wouldn't that feeling in his stomach go away?

His mom closed the Bible and got up. "Oh son you're home! I'm assuming you stayed with the boys last night?" Alex set down his bag. "Yeah, Luke didn't want to stay alone so I stayed with him." He got butterflies even saying his name. He thought about last night how Luke laid on his shoulder. Sure, he was sleeping, but it had to count for something. Right? He shook his head, it didn't mean anything. "Alex's mom nodded. "Well okay son, I'll be in the garden if you need me. Love you!" She kissed him on the cheek and Alex made his way upstairs towards his bedroom.

He still had another two hours until rehearsal, so he decided to write some song lyrics. That was usually Luke's forte, but he enjoyed it too. He just didn't know what to write about. He wasn't big on sharing his feelings, because he himself didn't even know what he was feeling. All he knew was that the butterflies in his stomach weren't going away, and neither were the nerves. The nerves we're definitely from the homophobic parents. And the butterflies? Probably Luke. Definitely Luke. How come out of all the people on the planet he had to fall for his best friend? Fuck it. That's what he's gonna write about.

He wrote until it was time for rehearsal. Then he packed his bags and headed over to the garage. "Hey guys" Bobby and Reggie looked over to him. "Hey" they said in unison. Luke was too busy writing in his song book to even notice Alex walking up to his drum set, so when he started to play them Luke got startled and fell backwards. A loud "ouch" caused the three other boys to laugh at luke. "Guys thats not funny." Luke retorted. "You gotta admit, it was a little funny." Luke stood up and Alex twirled his drumsticks. "Okay to be fair Reggie, you think everything is funny." Reggie looked at Alex like he just betrayed him. "Hey no I don't!" The three other boys all responded with "yes you do" in unison. Reggie just rolled his eyes. "Okay let's start guys." Luke said as he walked over to pick up his guitar.

They rehearsed six old songs twice each, and four new ones three times each. By the end of it, everyone was exhausted and drained. Reggie raised his hand. "I vote we're done for the day." Bobby shot is hand up "agreed."

Luke looked hurt. "Guys, if we wanna make it big we have to practice even when it gets tough. I want everyone in the world to hear our voices one day. That can't happen if we quit practices just because we're tired. This is our dream, and we have to make it come true. We have to make it big to prove it to everyone that these rehearsals are worth it. So come on, one last song and then we can stop. Okay?"

Alex just stared in awe. He loved it when Luke got so passionate about things. It inspired him. Luke was like the sun. He outshone everyone and everything, and he was bright and brought warmth to everything.

"Alex? Oh great he zoned out again." Alex snapped out of it. Luke was right in front of him, his hand on his shoulder. "Dude we're gonna practice that last song one more time, come on." Alex smiled and Luke pulled Alex off of the couch. Reggie and Bobby gave each other a knowing look. It was so obvious that Luke and Alex had something going on, but neither Bobby nor Reggie had the guts to confront them about it. They'd realize in their own time. Hopefully.

The band poured their heart and souls into that last song, and when they were finally finished they all went completely silent. Reggie walked up to the couch and collapsed on it. Bobby, Luke, and Alex just laughed at him. "Shut up you dorks I'm trying to rest."
Everyone tried to be quiet while he slept on the couch. Bobby put on his jacket and pushed open the doors. "I've got another date, see y'all tomorrow" he half whispered so he didn't wake Reggie up. "Another date? Never knew Bobby was such a romantic." Luke quietly laughed at Alex's statement. "To be fair, it's probably a different girl. He sees a new one like every week." Alex nodded. "Yeah probably." He looked back at Reggie. "We should probably go so we don't wake him." Luke nodded and they walked out of the garage.

"Wanna go to the beach?" Luke asked the blonde. "Sure, but only if you buy us ice cream when we get there." Luke shoved him. "Aren't you literally rich? I think you should be buying me the ice cream." Alex shoved him back. "I'm not rich, it's my parents you doofus. And yeah, they give me money but I'm saving up and I don't want to spend it on stupid things." They started walking to the pier. "What are you saving up for?"

Alex wanted to tell him the reason but he just didn't know if he could. "Well... I might have to leave soon." Luke stopped walking. "What do you mean leave? like move?" Alex shook his head. "I was thinking about it earlier and.....I'm gonna tell my parents something they probably won't like. I don't know if they'll even let me stay there anymore." Luke was confused. "What could you possibly tell them to make them want to kick you out?" Alex took a deep breath.

"I'm gay Luke."
Luke froze. Oh shit. Why did he freeze? Why wasn't he saying anything? Should he not have said that? Did he just lose his best friend? Why did he have to blurt it out like tha- suddenly he felt Luke's arms wrapped around him. "Luke wh-" Luke cut him off before he could say anything. "I mean, it was kind obvious, but I'm glad you told me. You're still the Alex I know, and who you love doesn't change anything. " He pulled away from the hug and smiled at Alex. Alex let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He was so relieved to finally tell someone. Luke stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Also were you serious about me buying you ice cream? I don't have any money." Alex laughed. "Don't worry Patterson, I got it."

They arrived at the pier which conveniently had an ice cream shop right by it. Alex got one strawberry scoop and one vanilla scoop, and Luke got two mint chocolate chip scoops. "I think this is the best ice cream I've ever had." Alex nodded, "Agreed."

They walked around the pier in silence after that, just enjoying each other's company and the beach view. There were barely any people there, so it was a peaceful walk. Every now and then their hands would accidentally brush up against each other's. Alex wanted to just grab Luke's hand, but he didn't have the guts. Luke could feel it though, so he did it for him. He grabbed Alex's hand without saying a thing and interlaced their fingers. Alex could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. Friends hold hands right? Or dude Luke want to be more than that? He was too afraid to look over at Luke, so he kept his eyes forward. They walked hand in hand in the silence for a while, but Luke being Luke needed to say something, so he stopped walking. "Would you mind if I did this more often?" He gestured to their intertwined hands. Alex smiled. "Not at all Patterson."

A/N
I literally hate this chapter with all of my heart ✨ I did like the end though. I think I'm kinda rushing this? Let me know if I should slow it down.