Disparaging future

Chapter 29

Birds are singing, the sun is shining; It's a perfect day. To Luke's suggestion, we decided to spend our Saturday at the park. 

On Monday, Luke and I will be going on the school's basketball trip, which I am crossing my fingers we can get recruited. And once, I'm back from the trip, I will start working at my job. 

I squat down to pick up a leaf and turn to Luke and Jess, "Do you think Stacy will like this one?"

Stacy and Honey had to run some errands; Stacy did however want to tag along with us to the park, but Honey insisted that Stacy had to go with her. So we promised her that we would collect some flowers for her scrapbook collection. 

"She's more into flowers, Abby," Jess ponders. Stacy has a scrapbook filled with very beautiful flowers that each have a quote. And according to her, Luke has brought her most of the flowers in her scrapbook. 

Luke picks up a clover nearby. "A clover maybe?"

"Isn't that still a leaf?" I inform him. 

He pouts, "It's a pretty leaf." He continues to admire it, "I think she will like it. I'm her brother I know her the best."

"Lavenders! Abby, I'll be right back," Jess runs towards the lavenders. 

"Stay close, O.K." I remind her. 

Luke and I continue to walk until we decide to side on the sidewalk where we can keep an eye on Jess. I look over to my left, noticing a few dandelions. I pick one up, "What about this one?" 

I remember back when my parents were alive, we had a bunch of these. You're supposed to make a wish as you blow on them, according to what I've heard. 

I show it to Luke. He scoffs a bit. 

"These are no good," he blows the dandelion right on my face. 

I gag wiping the seeds of the dandelion, "Luke!"

He burst out laughing, "What? You got  in the way."

I sarcastically mimick a laughing expression," Very funny."

Turning around, I grab another dandlelion, as Luke gets up trying to run for it. I take the dandelion to chase after him. 

He takes cover behind a tree," Come on. It was an accident."

Slowly, I make my way around the tree. Before he can run away again, I get close to him enough to grab his arm. As he tries to pull away, I slip on a stick. He tries to help me from falling, but we both end up falling on our bottoms.

"Ouch," I rub my back.

"So much for helping," Luke stands up, walking over to help me up. 

"So still thinking about going to Honey's University?" We walk back to where we found the dandelions. 

He nods, "Yeah, I talked with Taylor a few days ago and I think we might actually attend there this semester. What about you? Have you decided where you're going?"

I know where I want to go, I've actually known for some time now. But I was wishing he would think the same. I want to be able to look at those blue eyes that have shown that they care, be able to be around to the smile, I've come to enjoy. I want to be with Luke. I know very well that he won't be asking me to follow him, so I will. 

"Luke, I like you." My heart is about to burst out of my chest. My face is hot and my plans are sweaty. 

He chortles a bit but stops right after, "You're being serious."

With a serious face, I nod.

He looks away from me, glancing around anywhere but in my direction.

"I don't think you like me," I begin to interrupt when he continues. "I helped you for one reason, and one reason only. I want you to live your life. Live your life, with hope and dreams of your own. You would've said you like anyone who helped you get this far, but I know that you don't like me like that. You're comfortable with me and that's a good thing, but you don't like me."

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. "But-"

"Abby, even if you did and were 100% sure that what you were feeling was real, I can't return your feelings. I want you to know that if you ever need me, I'll help you but I don't see you like that. I want you to live and find someone you like on your own. You told me you were sick of living because of your house. That's gone now. Live for yourself, go to college, get married or don't get married, travel." Luke stands up, "Ima go get some ice cream, I'll be back."

I watch his back as he heads to the corner store, near the park.

So much for expressing my feelings. I let out a huge sigh and look around to avoid thinking of my own embarrassment. I know he wishes me the best- And maybe he is right- It may be that I just feel comfortable with him. I look toward where Jess is at picking some nearby flower-like weeds.

Maybe he's right. The only person I've been with was Taylor, and that was because he asked. If Luke wasn't the one there for me, no, if he wasn't the one I asked for help, would I have liked him? I wince at my thoughts. Luke is special no doubt about it, but then what would it mean if there were more to it. How would I know there is more than a feeling. 

I stand up and look up at the sun. My life is just beginning. Now I can do whatever I want.

I turn to the street side as I hear a car driving at full speed. I watch the car as it heads toward where Jess is at. I start walking toward Jess, ready to call her out to be careful but stop when I see a man step out. 

Approaching Jess; he grabs her.

Jess!

The next thing, I know I am running towards them.