Luke Patterson Imagines (JATP)

The Ex Friend (Part Three)

Luke sits across from the girl he loves. They're fresh out of one of Y/N's gigs, talking about all the things in the world. He's holding her hand, absentmindedly tracing patterns with his thumb. Ever since Luke found out he could actually touch her instead of simply passing through like everything else, he's rejoiced at the chance to use this power as much as possible.

They've been sitting peacefully for the last half hour or so, but Luke notices that Y/N's face has recently changed from content to quiet, as if she's thinking about something. There's something stuck on her mind, something more than him. He has to know what it is, although Luke already has a feeling that he might have figured it out.

"What's up?"

Y/N glances up hastily, as if she hadn't noticed that she'd descended so completely into her own head. "Oh, sorry. Zoning out, I guess."

Luke reaches forward to poke her on the shoulder with his free hand. "You want to tell me what's on your mind?"

Y/N sighs. "I keep thinking about Julie. In all honesty, I haven't stopped feeling bad about what happened to our friendship ever since those first fights between her and Carrie. I didn't want to lose what I had with Carrie, so I chose her side, but it doesn't mean that I don't regret it."

Luke nods slowly. "I thought you and Julie were doing better. I saw you guys talking a few times after our shows."

Y/N lifts a shoulder. "Kind of, but it isn't the same. We're kind of dancing around the whole issue, like we're acquaintances who've just met instead of people who've been friends since the first grade. Every time I try to apologize or get closer, Flynn shows up out of nowhere and escorts Julie away, or Julie makes up some excuse to go. I don't know what to do."

Luke inclines his head. "Have you directly addressed the fights, or are you just trying to move around it?"

Y/N's brow furrows. "Now that you mention it, I haven't directly apologized. I could try that, I guess, I just don't know how to be alone with her long enough to manage it. Flynn should be there too, I guess."

Luke presses a hand to his lips contemplatively. "Julie and the Phantoms has a show coming up. If you come to that, I can find a way to get Julie and Flynn to hang around long enough for you to get them alone."

Y/N's eyes shine. "You'd do that for me?"

Luke chuckles. "I'd do just about anything for you. I thought we already covered that."

Y/N rolls her eyes, but she's grinning. "You're so dramatic."

Luke clasps his free hand to his heart. "Dramatically in love, maybe. I can't believe you'd call me out on that."

Y/N giggles. "I had no choice but to call you out. I haven't seen this many theatrics since Sour Candy's last show."

Luke arches an eyebrow. "You're comparing me to Carrie, the sworn rival of my own bandmate? Out of friendship, I feel like I have to cut you off now. Starting now, I may never look at you again out of spite."

Y/N smirks. "You're still holding my hand."

Luke shrugs. "I don't see your point."

Y/N's laugh might be one of the best sounds on the planet, second only to the angelic chorus when she sings. "Of course you don't."

She leans forward to kiss him, ducking away just as quickly when Luke tries to kiss her back.

"What was that for?" He asks.

Y/N laughs. "I'm proving that you can't let band rivalries come in between us. Also, I won't be letting these rivalries come in between Julie and me anymore. I'm going to do it, Luke. I'm fixing this."