when to let go | l.h.

thirty five

i sat in the taxi on the way to my best friend and boyfriend's childhood home where i was about to meet his family for the first time in person. not only that, but thanks to calum, i may or may not know that luke loves me, but there is also the dilemma now about jessie, his ex high school sweetheart.

when did my life start to sound like such a soap opera?

i glanced at the time on my phone, seeing the last message from luke being before my flight landed and he told me to be safe. the most recent text i had received was from mrs. hemmings letting me know she was glad i was on my way.

the racing in my mind switched to my heart as the taxi came to a stop in front of a house that looked vaguely familiar to the pictures luke had shown me. i quickly paid the man and got my bags out as i timidly made my way to the front door. i took a deep breath to prepare myself and knocked on the door a couple times.

it wasn't long before i was greeted by a bubbly girl with bright red hair. "hi! you must be laila, i've heard so much about you!" her energy was contagious causing a smile to come to my lips although i had no idea who this girl was.

"i am," i chuckled, trailing off. "and you are?"

"right! sorry, i'm jessie. luke's friend!" i nodded as the pieces quickly fell into place and she stepped aside to let me into what seemed to be a small sitting room. i thanked her quickly and followed her in, only to be greeted by another face soon popping around the corner.

"jess, is that laila?"  a familiar voice called and i brought my lip to my teeth nervously.

"yeah liz!" she called back, gently taking my arm and hurrying me to the kitchen. i barely had time to grab my bag, but the next thing i knew, i was pulled into a hug.

"how was your trip sweetie?" liz asked pulling away.

"not too bad," i chuckled gently. "thank you for having me!"

"don't thank me! i've been dying to meet the girl that my son has had eyes for, for year." she smiled warmly and i felt my cheeks heat up at her words.

as if things weren't moving fast enough already, luke entered the room as if he knew we were talking about him. his face lit up brightly and he hurried over pulling me into his arms as he spotted me.

"when did you get here? why didn't you tell me your plane landed? i would've picked you up you know!" he grumbled into my neck, still holding me close. i kept my arms securely around his neck and ran a hand through his hair.

"because i didn't want to keep you from your family! i'm capable of doing things on my own you know, and if i told you, you would've came and picked me up."

he pulled away enough so i could see him roll his bright blue eyes at me, but he quickly pecked my lips. "i missed you so much."

"it was two days." i giggled quietly, knowing we were being watched not only by his mom, but also his ex girlfriend.

"so? you didn't miss me?"

"oh hush, yes i did."

he kept his arm securely around me as he turned to his mom. "you two have met already?" he smiles excitedly.

"yes, we were just talking-" liz began, only to be cut off by the tall blonde beside me. 

"great, we'll see you at dinner!" he smiled and took my suitcase from my hand as he pulled me along with him. "you coming jess?" he called over his shoulder.

"nah, i'm gonna stay and chat with your mum." she called back. without another word he pulled me into what i assume is his room and pressed me against the wall, quickly pressing his lips to mine. my lips melted against his, instantly calming my still racing heart.

"well hello to you too." i hum as he leans his head against mine.

"i'm so glad you're here." his voice was hushed as he leaned his forehead on mine, his lips hovering just above mine.

"me too lu. i'm excited to meet your family." i smiled softly, bringing my hand up to his cheek.

"and i'm excited for you to meet them. this really was a great gift baby, thank you. i didn't realize how much i was missing home until i've been back here. it's been nice to catch up with old friends."

"like jessie?.." i ask timidly. i didn't want to come across as accusing, but i was curious.

"yeah," he chuckled and shook his head. "we uh dated in high school, but trust me that's completely over now."

i nodded and moved my hands down to meet his, giving them a slight squeeze to let him know i'm listening.

"i wasn't aware she's been working on her photography with my mum. she went to school for it and she remembered how much my mom loved it, so she came one day and now they hang out i guess. a little odd, i wasn't expecting her to be here when i got home, but it's been nice to catch up."

i caught on to his rambling, becoming a little nervous as he went on and chuckled. "a little odd, but i'm happy you're happy." i smiled and leaned up pressing my lips to his cheek causing the blue eyed boy to smile back.

"but now you're here and i can't wait to show you around and make new memories." he hummed, pulling me to his chest and bringing his arms around my torso.

"me too! but maybe later, i'm exhausted." i tease and push away from him before taking a seat on his bed.

"of course bub. the flight here was okay?" his eyes softened as he sat on his bed with his back against the head board. the blonde patted his lap, gesturing for me to lay down.

i easily gave in and nodded. "yeah, it was alright. just didn't sleep much. i worked for a bit, then tried to sleep, but only got like an hour."

"well you my sweet girl, sound like you need a nap. you work too hard." he hummed and began to run his fingers through my hair. i smiled at the feeling and closed my eyes.

"i shouldn't be rude and i don't want you to feel obligated to stay with me." i chuckle and move to sit up only to be stopped.

"hey, they understand," luke said softly. "dinner is in about two hours. just rest until then."

i sighed but gave in, laying my head back down. "thank you lu."

"of course baby. now get some rest... i lo-," the rest of his sentence was cut off by jessie knocking and peeking her head in the room.

"sorry lu, your mum was wondering if you wanted us to make some those cookies you love?"

{author's note}
i'm back! maybe not better than ever, but back nonetheless.
this is not the best or most eventful chapter i have written, but I was feeling a bit stuck and just needed to move on. there is some important information scattered throughout though.
sorry i have been so inactive! school is a lot and i've been figuring out this long distance thing with my fiancé, but it seems like we've got a good thing going and i'll hopefully be able to write more. no promises though because school is really kicking my ass.
anyway, if you're still reading this, i love you guys and i really do appreciate and enjoy the comments and feedback you leave on my stories! let me know how you are all doing!
love you guys!
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