Souvenir [Complete]

Twenty-one. The Return

Luke felt surprisingly well rested when he woke up the next morning. Enough to get out of bed and make his own coffee for like the first time ever.

He hummed to himself as he made the fresh pot and dressed up in his nicer clothes.

"Morning, darling," Liz cooed as she breezed into the kitchen. She smelled like her signature perfume and Luke felt comforted at that mixed with the smell of the coffee. "You look nice!"

He could sense the bit of relief in her voice. He was up early, and dressed. He hadn't been both of those things in a while. Anyone would have been blind not to notice. "Thanks, mumma," Luke grinned. "Want some coffee."

"Yes please," she smiled and held out a mug from the cupboard.

Luke poured it in the cup and smiled at her. "I've been thinking about getting a job," he cooed.

"Where?" This seemed to confuse her.

"The diner," Luke smiled.

"Why would you wanna work there? Singing lessons not going well?" Liz asked softly.

"No it's not that," Luke hummed, "I just think, you know, since they've been looking for a new waiter to pick up the slack, I figured why not step up to the plate?"

"Well I guess if you're sure," Liz cooed,  "then I say to go for it." She kissed Luke's cheek. "I gotta go or I'll be late for school. Love you!"

"Love you!" Luke called as she left, and Luke smiled to himself in the entryway mirror right over where the coats were hung. "It's no big deal," Luke hummed. "It's just seeing an old friend."

An old friend he didn't know if he still had a crush on or not.

No. No. He was with Brian. He didn't have a crush. More like a fascination. He had a fascination with Ashton. Yes he'd kissed him, but that was nothing. He was dramatic. He liked to romanticize things more than they ought to be. Ashton was just a friend.

Luke rushed off to the diner. He wore his best silky shirt, and those pants he loved so much. He felt clean and fresh, and every step was bouncier than they had been for a while. And if he happened to run into Ashton it was fate.

Or...maybe not fate. That was too romantic. What would be a better word for it...?

The bell to the diner rang as he pushed it in. Inwardly, he felt like his limbs were jelly, but outwardly he glowed. No sign of his friend.

Karen welcomed him in and sat him down at a booth. "Lemme get you some coffee, Lukey."

"Actually, I was hoping I could talk to John today. I'm happy to get coffee too, but...I wanted to apply to work with you," Luke gushed. He couldn't hold it in, he was wondering if Karen would be thrilled to hear of this.

Instead her face contorted into sadness. "Oh hun, I'm afraid you're too late. Someone else swooped in and got that job this morning."

Luke had a few ideas who that was. Actually, that was better news. He wouldn't have to work to see him. He could just come by again.

"I probably shouldn't tell you, but since I love you like you're my own son, it's Ashton." Karen whispered the last part, like saying his name too loud would make him appear.

Luke feigned shock. "What?" He gushed. He liked to listen to the drama. "No he's in New York..."

"That's what we all thought, but Mikey told me he saw his car last night, and then this morning I couldn't believe my eyes to see he was telling the truth." Karen sat in the booth across from Luke and took his hand in both of hers. Her hands were warm and soft and Luke found that comforting. "I completely understand if you wanna avoid my shift."