The Voice (Luke Hemmings)

53. Piano

As soon as I stepped into the house I was in Marcus' arms. I smiled slightly and hugged him back. I saw Luke's concerned expression and almost broke out sobbing again. After a round of hugs and 'how-are-you's' I walked upstairs. "I'll be in my room for a while." I said and walked to my room. As soon as I was there I threw myself on the bed and laid under the covers. Sobs were escaping my lips again. I held the pillow tightly against me. How was I so stupid to think of escaping my past? Not like my father was chasing after me... Well, to Australia I mean. He might be looking for me right now... But I don't know if he was sober enough to find me. Hell, I don't know if he's sober at all. I thought I could forget about him. But I guess I can't. Someone knocked on the door. "Skyler?" I heard Hayley say. "Please... Let me be for a bit. I'll be okay." I said and Hayley was silent for a while. After that I heard her walking away. Was I going to be okay? I was so stupid. I build up this new life, new friends, new... Everything. And it was all wiped away within 2 minutes. I sighed deeply. I can't let him do this to me. Not again. Not after everything. I got away from him. Two times. It's not like he'd crash into this place at any moment. He has no idea where I'm staying. Hell, I think he doesn't even know mom and I love in Australia. He couldn't do anything to me anymore. I was 18. An adult. I shouldn't be sobbing about this. There was another knock on the door. "Hey, I know you want to be left alone, but if you need anything, let me know." I heard Charlotte say. "Thanks." I said and it was silent again.

I looked at the clock. It was 10.30pm. I've been laying here for one and a half hours, locked in my room while all the thoughts gave me a headache. I decided to get some fresh air. I walked outside, to the balcony with the sheets still wrapped around me. I sat on my usual spot, on the edge of the railing. Luke not being there to scold me. I looked down, to the sand under me. It was quite high... What if I pressed myself off the edge? I shook my head. These crazy thoughts again. I know I didn't have any reason to. There are people with much worse lives than me. I looked over at the ocean and sighed. I know I'd never do something like that. I liked my life way too much for that. I smiled a small smile and stood back on the balcony. I walked back inside and walked to the bathroom, to take a long, hot shower.

When I got out I heard voices from outside and saw everybody sitting around a campfire. They were joking and laughing. Charlotte, Luke and Hayley seemed a bit silent. Probably thinking about me and what happened. I felt guilty. I ruined their day. I shook my head and changed into sweatpants and a top. I put my wet hair in a messy bun and walked downstairs, careful not to let anyone know I was out of my room. On the other side of the beach house there was an extra room, where nobody slept. There were 2 guitars and a piano in it. Nothing much, but it was something I really needed. I closed the door behind me and sat down on the piano stool. I placed my hands on the keys and began playing. Halfway into the song I heard the door being opened silently. Whoever was there, they were just standing there, listening to the music coming out of the piano. "Sometimes words can't express how you feel." I said suddenly. "You wrote this song?" I heard Luke say. I smiled slightly. "Yea, a few years back." I said and kept on playing. He grabbed a seat and sat next to me. "It's beautiful." He said and I smiled. He watched my fingers gliding over the keys carefully and I kept on playing. We were sitting without saying anything, the sounds of the piano filling the silence. I played the last part of the song and laid my hands next to me again while lowering my head. We were sitting in silence. "I'm sorry." I said and looked at Luke. He looked really concerned. "I know you probably don't want to tell anyone and keep it for yourself, but... I'm here okay? I'll always be there." He said while pulling me into a hug. I nodded and sniffled, hugging him back tightly. "It was bothering me on the plane already. And you asked me if I was okay and I told you I'd tell you another time..." I said and he nodded. I directed my gaze on the ground. I don't want to tell him. Well, I do. But I don't want him to see me differently after this. That's why I waited so long. But I know that he was to know. But I don't want to tell him here. "Can we go to my room? I'll tell you there." I said while standing up. He nodded and stood up, intertwining our hands. "Is everybody still outside?" I asked. He took one step outside the room and looked outside. He nodded and we walked to my room. I hate this feeling. Feeling fragile. Like I can break any moment.