Starstruck (Luke Hemmings)

CH. 11 Why Does It Have To Get Crazy?

*LUKE'S POV*

"This is nice, isn't it?" Nicole said.

"Oh, man. I wish I could just stay here where no one can find me." I told her truthfully.

"Why?" She asked.

"Cause they all want something from me. A performance, or an interview, or a photograph." I told her.

"Even your parents?" She asked.

"That's complicated. You know, sometimes I feel like they only care about the business of 'Luke Hemmings.'' I said.

"I'm sure that's not true." She said.

"I don't know. I feel like all we talk about right now is this movie deal. They think it's my next big career move, so..." I trailed off.

"Well, what do you think?" She asked.

"Think if I get the offer, I have to take it." I told her.

"What about your tour?" She said.

"What about it?" I asked. What's she getting at?

"Well, 30 countries, 12 weeks. One million screaming fans. I mean, I'm not an expert or anything, but it seems like a lot, the tour and the movie at the same time." Nicole explained.

"I don't have a choice." I told her.

"Everyone has a choice. What do you wanna do?" She asked.

"Well, I know what I don't wanna do. I don't wanna disappoint anybody. Especially my fans. I wouldn't be where I am without them, so... I just never say no. To anything." I told her. We stayed quiet for a minute before she spoke.

"Maybe I don't understand." Nicole said.

"What?" I asked.

"Your life. I mean, it's so different from mine. Everything you do and say is so big and public." She explained.

"Not everything. Right now, here with you, I feel like I can just be myself. Not Luke Hemmings. Not famous. Just... You know, just me." I said and she smiled.

"How do you like it?" She asked smug.

"I like it a lot." I told her.

"Me, too." She said and I scooted closer to her.

"So tell me something about you." I said.

"What do you wanna know?" She asked.

"eh, Everything." I smiled.

"That could take a while. I live a very exciting life." She said and I chuckled, smiling at her again.

"You're doing it again." Nicole pointed out.

"Doing what?" I asked confused.

"That thing with your eyes." She said.

"You mean this?" I said crossing my eyes as she laughed.

"Okay, so comedy? Not your next big career move." She said.

"What? No, I'm funny." I defended.

"Funny-looking." She said and I scoffed.

"You like me." I told her.

"You wish." She said pushing me slightly.

"We should go." She told me.

"Yeah. Come on." I said fondly.

-

"We made it." Nicole said as we finally made it to the beach. We've been holding hands and just walking and talking the whole way.