It's Just A Cafe || Luke Hemmings

chapter 30

Mac's POV

It has been a week since the laser tag adventure. I was still driving the boys to school and they were still being weird. Luke has gotten better though, with talking to them I mean. He doesn't hesitate to talk to them as if they have been friends since they were four years old. They mess with each other and joke around, ya know, just guys being dudes.

It has definitly helped Luke to have some guys around. He does have his brothers but they have been busy with school and more important things to waste their time on a younger sibling. (Luke's words not mine) We don't each lunch in the janitor's closet anymore. That stupid tradition had been long forgotten a while ago and it gives me some comfort knowing that slowly Luke is getting less and less worried about what others think about him.

Luke told me it was because of me, and the boys a little. He said that being around me has helped him focus on something else and forget about the judgmental people. I have never really bothered to think about what others think of me and clearly the others didn't either. Luke was making progress and that is all I ask for.

The event to lead to Luke and I's discussion about his shyness happened on Tuesday. Today was Friday, like I said a week since I kicked the boy's asses at laser tag. My old friends, Molly and Katherine, came up to me in the hallway to confront me about why I haven't contacted them since the beginning of the school year. I started to explain that they haven't made an effort to talk to me so I guess it was better if we unanimously agreed to stop all contact.

It's not as heart breaking as you may think. They weren't really good friends anyway and as much as we went through together I was starting to get sick of them. Spending time with Luke was not boring and I have a feeling that it never will be. But along with the confrontation between us, they started to throw hateful words at Luke; saying how this little shy boy couldn't get laid if the girl was blind and his intelligence level was not even close to a six year old.

I started to defend him until Luke himself covered my mouth with his hand and pulled me around the corner. He said he heard everything they said and he doesn't care about it, he just brushed it off and grabbed my hand to walk to the cafeteria. I was surprised and later that day he was even second guessing why he had pushed it aside so casually. He didn't change his thoughts and told me that since it was agreed to not contact each other that I don't have to give a shit either.

It was a nice change in Luke.

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The Friday school hours were over and Calum and Michael had been dropped off at their house. I was about to pull into my driveway until Luke told me to go back to the Halloween costume store. He had to direct me again since this would only be the second time I was driving to the store and we arrived shortly after getting lost for a few minutes.

"I told you to turn left on First Street. Technically, this is your fault." Luke sassed me and I started to defend myself.

"Yeah, well okay. But in my defense the street sign was hidden behind bushes and I couldn't see it." I sassed back as we both shut the doors to my car.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, love." He replied and intertwined our fingers. Luke had gotten more consistent with showing affection towards me and I asked if the boys said something to him but he claims that they didn't.

I pushed open the entrance door, signaling a little bell to ring. I looked around and furrowed my eyebrows as I had no idea where to go and why we were here. Luke led the way and guided us through racks and shelves of costumes. We approached the animals and it clicked as to the reason for this trip.

"We are getting your costume."

I laughed and shook my head at the thoughts I was having. "Luke, you do realize that we are seniors in high school getting Halloween costumes, animal ones to be more exact, and they aren't even for a party. Are we seriously going trick or treating?" I didn't know how serious we were about this but when he picked up a penguin costume in my size I shook my head and thought "what the hell".

"Fuck yes we are serious about this. I don't joke about trick or treating with my girlfriend, dressed as penguins. This is every man's dream." I tried to contain my laughter at his word choice and covered my mouth to silence it more.

"Luke, I highly doubt this is every man's dream."

"Well it's mine so, thanks for making it come true."

We approached the counter and placed the bag containing the costume on the counter. Nobody was standing behind it so we just waited patiently until someone came to help us check out.

Five minutes later we heard a man talking but it sounded like he was on the phone. A tall sort of fit man came out from the back room and continued talking on the phone. Luke looked up from his phone and he immediately tensed and his grip on my hand tightened. I looked to him with questioning eyes but the man finished his phone call and turned his attention to us.

"How may I hel- Luke? Luke is that you?" The man asked and I wanted to question further as Luke's face hardened and his fist tried to clench around my hand.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's me." Luke snapped back quickly and suddenly I saw a side of him that I haven't witnessed yet. He was angry. Luke's breathing was all messed up and his hands were to the point of shaking he was clenching them so much. He was biting the inside of his lips to stop himself from saying something rude I'm guessing and I tried to soothe him until I realized it was no use.

"Little Lukey, how have you been? Got a girl with you I see, what's your name sweetheart?" Something about this guy made me uneasy and suddenly didn't want to tell him my name.

"Mac. Her name is Mac." Luke answered for me and I was still confused as hell.

"Well Mac, Luke, what can I do for you?"

"Is there someone else that can help us?" Luke hoped angrily.

"Afraid not Lukey, you're stuck with me. Why would you want someone else when you have me? We don't spend anymore time together and I miss you." Alright, this shit was fucked up and Luke isn't gonna explain until we leave. In order to get this moving along and get closer to being told answers I pulled out my wallet and placed the correct amount of money on the counter.

"Thank you, sweetheart." The unidentified man said and I felt very uncomfortable.

"Don't you call her that. Her name is Mac and I advise you not to even speak to her. I don't need you ruining another woman in my life." Luke defended me and I honestly don't even know what to do at this point. You could actually cut the tension with a knife but I'm guessing Luke would rather cut this guy's throat.

"Oh that old memory? Come on Lukey, that was ages ago. I'm sure you're both over it." He scanned the costume and picked up the money to place it in the cash register. The man handed back my change and the receipt and placed the costume into a plastic bag.

"It wasn't a memory, it still is a nightmare." Luke not so calmly grabbed the bag and began dragging me towards the door.

"Tell your parents I say hello!"

"Like hell I will!"

Luke didn't stop dragging me until we reached my car and he slammed his door shut. I hesitantly got in because I don't know what Luke does when he is this pissed off. "Luke, do yo-"

"Please, just drive us home." He interrupted me and I realized the car wouldn't be the best place to get answers to the thousands of questions swarming in my head at the moment. I silently drove us home, going back to my house because we all knew Luke would be spending the night.

I pulled into the driveway and slowly turned off the car. My mom wasn't home yet, she probably had an overtime shift tonight so she wouldn't be getting home until later. We both slowly made our way into my living room and I set the bag down by the stairs. I stood still but Luke sat on the couch. He put his head in his hands and bounced his right knee up and down rapidly.

"That was my Uncle Jack. He is my father's brother and a shit uncle too." He began and it surprised me that I didn't have to initiate the conversation regarding our previous event.

"When I was seven, I heard screams that lead me to my parent's room. My mom sounded like she was screaming 'help' but the door was locked. I kicked it down and walked in on my uncle trying to rape her. He let her go and beat me until I swore I wouldn't say anything. My dad punished me for the door and I didn't get dinner that night. My mom and I both had to go to therapy for it."

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hola
longish chapter maybe kinda sorta??
im starting to update on my computer so expect longer chapters:))
HAVE A LOVELY DAY HOTTIES
-caitlin