I Still Love You.

Chapter 20

1995 December 16th.
They have only just one week to perform at the orpheum. They practice hours. Luke's parents already started arguing with him. Because he is spending more time with band practice. But he simply just doesn't care. He wants to be perfect when he's gonna play at the orpheum. It's his dream. All of they dream.

"It was great, guys. Let's start again." Luke said.
"Uhm...Luke. I think we should take a little break.." Bobby said. Feeling tired. They are rehearsing for 5 hours straight.
"No. My parents wants me home by 20:00 pm. Until then I still have time to rehears."
"Luke. We still have then 5 hours. It's only just 15:00 pm.." Reggie said.
"We have only one week to play at the orpheum. We need to practice as much as possible."
"But a little break won't kill.." Bobby said.
"No. We can't." Luke shook his head. And Bobby looked At Alex, it was a *talk to him* look.
"Hey, Luke." Alex said walking to Luke and put his hand on his shoulder. And Luke looked at him. "We are all tired. If we are forcing ourselfs it's just gonna get worse. Just let's take 15 minutes break. Okay? Let's drink and eat something." Alex said smiling at Luke.
"Okay. Let's take 15 minutes break." Luke said, holding Alex's hand.
"I like to hear that." Alex smiled. "Let's go to buy something to eat." Alex said and him and Luke went out holding hands and Reggie and Bobby followed them.

They went to a restaurant close to Bobby's house. Reggie suggested for them to buy pizza. They all agreed. So, they ordered and now they are waiting.

Later (sorry for the time skip.) they finished the food. And went back to the garage. Luke straight away went to his guitar.

"Okay guys. Let's start the practice. We lost track of time, and that 15 minutes became one hour." Luke said.
"Okay. Let's start." Alex said walking to his drums.
"But please. Let's not rehears for 4 hours straight." Bobby said.
"Bobby... we need as much practice as we can. We still have just one week." Luke said.
"Ugh...fine.." Bobby said and him and Reggie went to their instruments and Alex started counting them in.
"1, 2, 3."

2021.

So...Alex was really weird about that bracelet. Luke and Reggie noticed.
Alex never wanted to take it off.
And they don't know why. It's just a bracelet. No?

"Reggie. Somehow we need to take off that bracelet off Alex." Luke said. Just the two of them we're in the garage. They don't have band practice today.
"Yeah. But how?" Reggie asked looking at Luke.
"You gonna distract him. And I'm gonna take it off, quickly."
"But, why not you are distracting him?"
"Because I'm still mad at him."
"Come on, Luke. You know he didn't mean to say it, right?" Reggie asked.
"How should I know?"
"Because, you know him. I think even better than me. Which is weird, because I'm his bestfriend." Reggie said and left out a soft laugh. "But, i know him aswell. And I know he would never say something like this. I don't know what happened with him, but he's like not himself." Reggie said. And Luke looked down.
"Yeah...but still. He hurted me. I don't know if I can't get over it that quickly. It was still him, who said it." Luke said. And had tears in his eyes.

Flashback. 1995 December 17.

Luke was home. He just finished  band practice. Now later than yesterday.
Now he got home at 23:00 and he was supposed to be home at 20:00 like yesterday.
He went inside and hoped that nobody is awake. It was dark inside. So he supposed nobody it's in the living room.

"You know what time it is?" His mom said. turning on the light. Of course he couldn't get away with this.
"Yes. Mom, i'm sorry. I just got distracted. We finished practice at 20:00 but I just stayed a little bit more."
"Little bit more? 3 hours Luke. You should have been home at 20:00." His mom said. Angrier.
"I'm sorry."
"You are grounded. All week."
"You can't do that. I need to practice. This week I will play at the orpheum."
"I don't care. You are not gonna play at the orpheum. This week is Christmas. You gonna be with your family."
"Mom...please. To play at the orpheum it's my dream. You can't take that away from me." Luke said and had tears in his eyes.
"Yes. I can. Until you live under my roof, you do what I tell you. Now you go to your room." His mom shouted now.
"Unbelievable." Luke said and run to his room.
This can't be it. His mom can't do this. The orpheum it's his dream. He needs to find out something. He layed on the bed and was thinking. After a little bit. He stand up. And started packing his things. Quickly. He packed what he needed. And he looked back at his room, and run down.