The Year Luke Hemmings Came to Stay

Chapter 7

A few things I've noticed about Luke. He writes. But, when he writes, it's like he goes into this whole other state of mind. It's so intriguing to watch him. It's like his eyes get darker. And his bottom lip kinda goes in, taking his lip ring in between his teeth. I can tell creative writing will definitely be one of my favorite classes. Plus, our teacher is amazing. She's young and funny and like, never wears shoes. I honestly didn't want class to end but when the bell rung, I was so relieved. When me and Ry met up with Luke, we begin the walk home. Ryan and Luke are in a conversation about traveling, I'm not really paying attention. I look towards the city, and how I wanna get out. Then l think of how Luke hasn't been there. I wonder how he would react to a day with me and Ryan in the city when I'm interrupted by my thoughts.
"What do you think, Andy?"
"W-what?"
"Do you think Australia is better than England?" Ryan asks.
"Well, I've never been to either, Ryan you've been to England, so why am I in this conversation?"
"Cause I need another opinion." Luke walked closer to me.
"Well pick for me." Luke said Australia the same time Ryan said England.
"You seem distracted, are you okay?" Luke asks. I look at Ryan and shake my head, indicating not to tell Luke what Gabby said to me while we were waiting for Luke. Even though I doubt he knows who she is, I don't want him to think I don't know how to fend for myself. Ryan was even more upset than me. "No one should call you freakshow! She's a bitch!" I tried to push it to the back of my mind.
"Nothing, Luke. I'm good." I smile, even though I felt like crap.
We say goodbye to Ryan when we get to her house and me and Luke are alone. The walk is kind of awkward, until Luke speaks.
"I met a friend today who knows you."
I look up. "Really? Who?"
"Nathan. Yeah he said your really awesome and... uh, pure." Luke was trying to hold back laughter I could tell.
"He's such an asswipe!" I guess my comment gave Luke permission to laugh cause he couldn't stop. I join in as we continue walking.
"So anyways, as you can tell I'm a little different from everyone here, but tell me about you. What were you like 'down under'?" He laughed at my question.
"Uh, well I had a good amount of friends. The three best lads you could ask for. My parents are nice, older brothers are a pain in the ass, but I have a pretty good life. As you can tell I love music. And to write."
"Yeah, that was a little unexpected. But it's nice. Most guys think that's lame or gay, but all the girls love it." I joke. We cross the road and head towards my street.
"Is there a specific reason you and Ryan dress the way you do?" I knew he'd ask this.
"Not really. I mean, everyone's the same, and when I met Ry we were both too broke to go shopping like we wanted to, so we did our own thing and it suits us. We take old and new stuff and kind of morph it? I know it's kind of weird, though."
"No, it's not, just, different. But different is badass." He smiled.
I got a kink in my neck from turning my face so fast because I felt my cheeks heating up. Why is he so nice? There were girls literally unbuttoning their shirts at Luke and it's like he didn't even notice. I got out my key and turned the door open.
"I realize there's a problem, Luke."
"And what would that be?" He said, confused.
"You've never been in the city. Like, you have yet to see true San Fran. Me and Ry have to take you. This weekend."
"Will your parents mind?"
"No, it'll be fun. Unless you don't want to go. Gosh, I didn't even ask you. That was so rud-"
"Andy! I wanna go. It sounds fun. This weekend is good."
"Okay. I'll let Ryan know."
"Cool." He smiles and walks upstairs.
"Okay, it's a date. Shit! No it's not!" I sink in the nearest couch cushion. Christ, what is happening to me?