break the heartbreaker : luke

fern

8:36pm

"huh?" i say immediately, not even trying to hide my annoyance, "right now? why?"

i let go of the sachet i was holding, hearing it drop inside the box.

"luke, please," she answers, sniffling, "you haven't replied to my texts all day. i just need to talk to you about something."

"does it have to be right now?" i answer, trying my hardest to make her realize that i'm in the middle of something, "i'm busy."

"please, luke," she says, sounding like she's started crying again, "i'll leave you alone after this. i promise."

i sigh, and run a hand through my hair. fuck it.

"fine." i answer simply, before ending the call.

i get up from the carpet, still not believing everything that's happened today. why is everyone suddenly in front of my apartment?

i reach the front door and swing it open, and am immediately greeted by the person i was talking to a few seconds ago. she's really is crying.

"hi." fern says, wiping the tears away from her cheeks.

without saying a word, i gesture for her to come in. she takes a seat on one end of the couch, and i head over to the kitchen to grab a glass of water for her.

she takes it, and gulps all the water down immediately, inhaling and exhaling before she calms down completely. she sets the glass down on the table, and looks at me.

"yeah?" i say, breaking the silence. i fucking hate this.

"we need to talk." she says simply.

"about what, fern?" i answer, "couldn't we have talked over the phone?"

"you haven't been answering my texts all day, luke," she answers, frowning, "and i don't think i can sleep on this for another night. or do it by phone either."

she actually sounds really serious. "what's going on? should i be nervous?"

i feel like something's wrong. like she's about to tell me life-changing news or something. this is the first time i've seen fern this serious. as a matter of fact, i think this is the longest time we sat down together and actually talked. we always ended up having sex within three minutes of being alone together.

i can't say i'm entirely proud of what's going on between me and fern. right after prom, she just wouldn't leave me alone. she was next to me wherever i went, so this and that happened, and, well, we've been fucking almost everyday since then.

"no, you don't need to be nervous," she answers, looking down at her lap, "if anything, i should be the nervous one here."

"just tell me what's going on, fern," i sigh, "i told you, i'm kinda busy right now."

the words that come out of her mouth next make me entirely speechless. i never thought she'd ever say those words.

"i like you, luke."

since i didn't expect this to ever happen, of course i say the number one response anyone in my position would say. "what?"

she looks up from her lap, and her eyes lock with mine. i thought maybe she was messing with me, but her eyes are getting watery again. she's serious.

she gulps. "i said i like you."

what the fuck do i say?

"are you..." i talk slowly, my brain still processing this, "are you sure?"