Home Away From Home

Chapter Seveteen

His words rang through my seemingly empty head, bouncing from one wall to the other.

I closed my eyes in agony. "We've barely known each other for a month."

"I'm in love with you." Luke challenged, first me and then himself. 

He had won. "I--"

"You don't have to love me back." Luke spoke with sincerity, his words soft and comforting. He wasn't hurt. 

"I want to. I just want to be sure..." I looked down at my lap, and my words seemed as small as I felt.

Luke's hand found a resting place on my thigh, and I looked up to see him giving me a lippy smile. "I want you to be sure too."

Why must he be so perfect? This won't work; this can't work. But, boy, do I want to try.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled as Luke began to drive away-- the silence following his confession was too much even for him.

"Never apologize for being honest, please. "Luke was harsh now-- quiet. But he had peaked my interest, and I wanted to keep talking.

"How are you sure-- you know, that you love me?" I cautiously glanced at Luke from the corner of my eye. 

I can tell he's stressed about what just happened, but he let out a deep breath, and his body visably loosened. "I just do. It's different from anything I've thought was love. And I know it's only been a short while, but you can't cap emotion with science."

He sighed and looked at me with caring eyes. I nearly melted. "I know I was kind of a dick when you first came here, and I'm not gonna say it was love at first sight because I genuinely did not like you at first."

"You're kidding." I said, my mouth hanging in faux shock as sarcasm dripped from my lips.

He rolled his eyes and continued. "It couldn't have been more than three days since you got here, but when you fainted, things kind of changed. I still didn't like you, but it wasn't for any reason other than that I was scared to be okay with you. This is going to sound so cheesey, hah, but as soon as you touched my hands the night I broke glass, I felt something, and it's been a poor attempt to ward off any further feelings since."

Luke's face pinked up as he cocked a smile in that crooked, nervous kind of way he always does. His hand found its comfortable place behind his neck, and I loved him-- I really did. I have; I just didn't want to admit it to myself because I'm independent, and I don't need to feel safe with anyone else. 

I didn't bother to say anything because I figured our mutual facial expressions were enough. Liz had texted me somewhere between his Confession and So Sick by NeYo playing on the radio. 

Luke parked the car and was about to get out, but I reached over to stop him. I grabbed his face lightly, pulling him slowly toward me, and we kissed. It was soft and earnest. I smiled, his head against my forehead ever so lightly and ever so cliche.

"I love you. For sure." I whispered even though we were the only ones around. 

Luke gleamed, and I never want to see him feeling anything other than this for the rest of his life. 

Luke leaned in even farther, whispering. "I'll ask you why later because I'm pretty sure my parents are watching us." 

His voice sent chills through my body, but my face swelled red at the thought of his parents. We looked up and both saw the curtains moving back into place. Wonderful. 

"Shall we?" I asked, excited for his surprise.

"We shall." 

We exited the vehicle and walked into the seemingly empty house. "SURPRISE!"
A bunch of poeople jumped out of no where, and I looked up at Luke who was already looking at me. 

"Happy birthday!" We both said at the same time.

My face contorted. "What? No. It's your birthday." 

"Yeah, but your birthday is next month, and we wanted to celebrate since you won't be here. That's why we stayed out all morning." Luke looked at me with sympathy as I tried to understand.

"No, we stayed out all morning because it was my job to keep you out of the house while your parents got the party ready." 

We both watched as Andy and Liz walked over to us in complete jubilee. "Double surprise!" Liz said, hugging us both.

"It's a dual party." Andy explained. It's not really a dual party because I only know about ten people here, but it's the thought that counts. 

"Well, thank you so much. You didn't have to do this, but I'm glad I get to celebrate my birthday with you now." I hugged Liz as she gushed, and then I hugged Andy.

"We got you a few things, but you can open them later." Liz whispered to me as she walked past to greet another family friend.

I bit the inside of my cheek, not sure what to do with all these strangers, and I looked up at Luke half expecting him to have an answer written on his face. 

"I'm gonna go say hi to some people. You can come if you want..." My shoulders slumped as we hit an awkward bump. 

"I think I'm just gonna go hang out with Michael over there." I pointed to Michael sitting on the couch playing his DS. "I'm not much for parties."

"You're cute." He whispered down at me, in a thick, deep voice. 

My eyes unintentionally widened in turn with my capillarious as a blush fluttered across my face. "Go say hi to your friends."

I plopped down next to Michael who barely even flinched. 

"I don't know if I'm supposed to tell people, but he told me he loves me." I said casually as I watched him play his game over his shoulder.

He paused the game, looking up at me, challenging my statement. "Please tell me you feel the same way because he is a fragile boy who has had enough diappointment for a lifetime."

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry inside. The thought of fragile, disappointed Luke tore me apart. "I reciprocated."

"Good. And congratulations." He smiled his little Michael smile and began his game again. 

I shook off the weird compliment and continued to watch Michael play. Pretty soon Calum and Ashton joined the Couch Party, and Michael casually blabbed to the two of them as if it were no big deal. 

They both looked really happy, even Calum. It was actually a little concerning how happy they are. Is there something wrong with Luke that they thought he would never find love or what?

Luke walked over with cake for himself and handed a piece to me. I thanked him, and we both smiled at each other.

"What the heck, Luke? I love you too, but you didn't bring me any cake." Michael joked, still not taking his eyes off of his screen.

Luke and I both resembled a tomato. "I'm sorry." I winced, taking in Luke's accusing expression. "I just told Michael, but he talks a lot, and it was a poor decision on my part."

"It's okay. Michael, get your own cake. There are girls over there." 

Without a moment of hesitation, or looking up, Michael removed himself from the couch and walked toward the cake. I couldn't help but laugh at the quirk he is.

Luke stole Michael's now empty spot next to me. I continued a conversation with Ashton as Luke spoke with Calum, and we ate our cake. Every now and then I felt Luke scoot closer and closer to me, and each time I had to mask my smile. 

"Time for presents!" Liz rang. Everyone gathered around the table, and Luke was the last to arrive.

It's cute that he's turning nineteen and having a legitimate birthday party.

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idk hope it's okay. xxxx thanks for reading