Luke Hemmings - Roommates

Needed Some Advice

Today had been hell. Actually hell sounded like a better option than what I had done today.  All of the boys had college work to catch up on so I was left bored out of my mind with nothing to do. I did say I don't deal well with boredom. Michael seemed better today but it was quite obvious to tell that everything was still bothering him. By ten o'clock I had had more than enough. "I'm going to the gym don't bother messaging me because I'm not taking my phone." I spoke while slinging my gym bag over my shoulder. I didn't get any reply since they were still all busy so I just left hoping that they had heard what I said. When I arrived at the gym it was half ten and only one other person was there. "Hello Mr Matthews." I smiled at my PE teacher who was just finishing doing some push-ups before standing up to greet me.

"Hello McKenzie what are you doing here so late at night?"

"It's never too late to exercise."

"I would have expected nothing less from you." He chuckled. I began my stretches noticing the light reflecting from a chain around his neck and curiosity started to bubble within me. Many questions filled my mind but I bit my tongue not wanting to offend my teacher. It could bring back painful memories or it might just be a subject that he doesn't like to talk about. Eventually though it became too much for me to handle and I had to ask. "Mr Matthews sir?" I asked hoping to get his attention. He turned around to face me and it was now or never. "If you don't mind me asking sir, can I ask about your military career." I heard him inhale deeply before sighing and nodding his head slightly.

"Lets go for a walk." He suggested and I nodded my head following him outside. It was nearly midnight now and campus looked like a ghost town as we walked. "I was a navy SEAL." He started. "I loved my job, it was more than I could have ever imagined. Since being a child it was all I ever wanted to do."

"What drove you to want to be a SEAL?" If I was a male American I know for sure I would want to be a SEAL but my reasons may be different to his.

"I wanted to fight for and protect my home and the people I loved. It was what I lived for."

"If you loved it so much why'd you leave?" It just didn't add up in my mind. Instead of replying he rolled up the trouser leg of his fatigues to showcase a prosthetic leg. It didn't take long for me to put two and two together and he rolled his trouser leg back down. "Would you do it all again? If you had the chance?" That was the thing I wanted to know most. Was it worth the price he paid?

"I wouldn't change it for the world. My turn to ask you a question."

"Me? There's nothing to know." I shrugged. "I'm an open book but you can ask away."

"I see the twinkle of curiosity in your eye and only one thing can give that motivation. What drives you to want to join up?" It felt like all the air had been knocked out of me. "I can just tell." He shrugged answering the question before it had even had the chance to leave my mouth. "So what drives you?" He asked again.

"I always wanted to join the marines from a young age and I have never changed my mind, not even now but..."

"But something is holding you back." He finished for me.

"How did your family and friends take it when you told them you were leaving?"

"In all honesty not great but they came around."

"I don't think mine ever could. I've seen first hand how easy it can destroy people, I've been on the receiving end before. The whole point in joining would be to keep them safe and yet I would also be the one tearing them apart. What would you do in my position?" He thought about it for a minute.

"I would go for it. If you can come back from it and still want to join the marines then they can support you through it all. I nearly died and yet I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Don't let other people hold you back."

"Thank you sir." I started walking away before he called me back and I turned around so I was facing him.

"Go for it and don't let anything hold you back because you would make one hell of Marine someday. Even if nobody else does I think so. Semper Fi."

"Semper Fi." It was an American saying but he was American so it was okay to use it. As I walked away I couldn't keep the smile of my face. Finally I had found someone who accepted my choice and believed I could do it instead of trying to change my mind. When I walked through my front door there was only one person awake. "Do you have any idea what time it is?" Ashton yawned when I walked into the kitchen. God he sounded like Stephen, actually no it's worse than that. He sounded like my dad.

"Sorry dad." I mumbled. "What are you still doing up anyway?"

"I just came in to get a drink. What you been doing at half one in the morning?" He wiggled his eyebrows and I knew almost immediately what he was suggesting. "Or should I say who have you been doing at half one in the morning."

"You do realise my boyfriend is next door don't you." I scoffed rolling my eyes at him.

"I'm joking." He chuckled. "But seriously Luke was getting worried, you didn't have your phone with you." Well I did tell them that before I left had they been paying any attention to me then they would have known that.

"I was just talking to Mr Matthews. I needed some advice." He just nodded and walked away to go to bed and get some sleep. Me on the other hand, I sat up all night once again. For some reason I couldn't shake Mr Matthews words so now I had been up for more than fucking forty eight hours straight. Lets just hope I can get through today and get a full nights sleep.

This is just a really short filler because for once I wanted to update on time. Hope you like it. Please vote comment and check out some of my other writings. Love all you guys.