A Drop in the Ocean

Chapter 10

I was sitting on my couch watching the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special as was customary in my life.  Although Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in Australia, Nora and James insisted on celebrating it every year.  I was excited to be spending it with them, but a bit down about this being the first Thanksgiving without my mom.  I know I said my mom died a year ago, but that was just a rough estimate.  She died two weeks before Christmas.

Anyways, I was sitting on the couch with my feet propped up on the coffee table and eating a bag of Maui onion potato chips when I heard the doorbell ring.  I groaned and threw the blanket from my lap while standing and setting the bowl of chips on the table.  I opened the door to find the one and only Luke Hemmings.

"Hello, Lukey," I answered while leaning on the door frame.  He stood in shorts and a tank top due to the sweltering heat.

"Hi," was all he said.  I looked down at my t-shirt and shorts in panic, hoping I wasn't dressed in inappropriate clothes for the company of a boy.  

"So, what can I do ya for?" I asked in a slight southern accent.  His eyes widened in confusion, and I just shook my head and rolled my eyes.  I stepped off to the side and motioned for him to come inside.  He obliged and came into the kitchen.  He looked around the house for the first time ever with a curious look on his face.  "Sit," I commanded.  He sat at the breakfast bar.  "Would you like something to drink?" I asked.

"Whatcha got?" he replied, spinning on the stool like a little kid.  I opened the fridge dramatically.

"Lemonade, milk, iced tea, and agua," I answered with my head in the fridge.  I heard the squeaky stool stop spinning and turned to look at Luke's contemplative face.  I tapped my fingers on the door of the fridge in impatience.  "If you don't pick soon, I'll pick for you," I warned while giving him an irritated look.

"Lemonade sounds lovely, then," he finally answered before continuing the spinning of the chair.  I grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and filled them with lemonade.  I walked around the island to the bar and set both glasses on the counter before grabbing the sides of the stool and holding it still.

"Please don't make that dreadful sound," I pleaded.  He laughed and tried to do it again just to irritate me.  I held on tighter, and he continued to try to spin it.  Unfortunately, this whole ordeal caused the stool to lose balance.  Before Luke could fall to his terrible death (just kidding), I grabbed the bottom of the seat and steadied it out.  I gave him an irritated but amused look as I saw fear in his eyes for the almost imminent events that were to take place.

"You saved my life," he breathed out.  I shrugged, being humble.  "I am eternally grateful."  He then hopped off the stool and hugged me.  It was nice to have him hug me.  His cologne was something I'd never really smelled before, but it smelled amazing.  I could feel goosebumps where his hands rest on my upper back.  My heartbeat was quickening, and my breath felt short. However, I soon felt awkward as his arms were wrapped around me.

"Okay, Luke, you can let me go now," I said while patting his back.  He only held onto me tighter.  "Time to let go, Luke," I repeated.  He still held on and didn't say a word.  "Luke, let go of me before I break your arms."

"You saved my life.  I am eternally grateful," he repeated.  Why do I recognize that?  Then it hit me.  Fucking Toy Story.  I couldn't help but laugh.  In the process, I wormed my way out of Luke's grasp and ended up on the floor.  I crawled away as quickly as possible before stumbling to my feet.  I bolted out of the kitchen and into the living room in a fit of laughter.  I heard Luke coming from behind.  "I'm gonna getcha!" I heard him yell out in the fashion of Finding Nemo.  

"Are you just filtering through animated movies of my childhood?" I questioned while bolting for the stairs.  He laughed from behind me, ensuring that he was closer than I had originally thought.  I quickly sprinted to my bedroom and shut the door, turning the lock on the door and sitting in front of it on the floor.  I heard a thump on the floor outside the door and knew that Luke was sitting in the same way.  I decided it would be best to try to catch my breath, so we sat in silence.  I got up and moved to the chair next to my window and watched the door.  Soon, I heard a jiggling of the doorknob.  I chuckled knowing that he wouldn't be able to get in.

"Good luck getting in here," I yelled out to him.  I heard him swear while continue to jiggle the doorknob.

"Thanks, but I don't I need it," he said right before turning the handle and dramatically swinging it open.  In his hand, he held the key that every door had on the frame in case you accidentally locked yourself out.  I mentally face palmed myself.  I slowly and dramatically stood from the chair while Luke sauntered his way forward.  I put my hands up in defense while Luke carried a mischievous look on his face.  

"No harm, no foul," I told him.  He smirked and chuckled.  I'm doomed.  There's nowhere for me to run.  I could jump out the window, but that's too risky.  I'd just have to stand here and take whatever crazy thing he was going to do.

Before I knew it, Luke's hands were on my stomach tickling me like no other person ever had.  I instantly broke into a fit of laughter.  I stumbled over to my bed and fell down onto it with Luke leaning over, continuing to attack my skin with his fingers.  I could feel the happy tears running down my face.  Finally, he stopped, and I calmed down.  I was laying on my back while Luke leaned over me.  

I couldn't help but look into his eyes.  Beautiful and blue.  They were kind of like mine.  Suddenly, my breaths were short, but in a good way, and I felt my heart speed up and the blood rush to my cheeks.  Luke continued to look at me intently in the same way I looked at him.  Before I knew what was happening, Luke began to lean his head down toward mine.  I didn't know if I was ready for that.  Luke was attractive, but I saw him as a good friend.  

Luckily, Nora burst through the door, stopping Luke from advancing any further.  Luke quickly rolled over onto his side nonchalantly while I sat up.  

"Guess who's in town!" she cheered in excitement.  I didn't have any idea.  I'm so bad at guessing things.  How many M&M's are in the jar?  I don't know.  Twenty?  Seven billion?

"Don't expect me to answer that," I told her flatly.  She sighed but still seemed excited.  Just then, my uncle Brian walked through the door.  Brian is my only biological uncle.  He's my mom and Nora's brother, and he lives in Saranac Lake.  He would've taken me in, but he wasn't sure if he would've been able to be there for me enough.  He owns a very successful bar and lounge in Lake Placid that is very similar to Nora's restaurant.  Brian's been like a father to me since I never really had one, and I am very grateful.

"Brian!" I cheered, bolting up from the bed and into his arms.  He easily lifted me off the ground into the air, twirling me around like he used to do when I was little.  He set me down and kissed my forehead.  

"I've missed you so much, Bright Eyes," he told me, brushing his hands down my hair and hugging me again.  He's called me "Bright Eyes" forever, and I can't even tell you why.

"I missed you too," I replied.  

People always tell you that "Home is where the heart is."  Well, right now, my heart lies with this man, and it's so nice to be home.