The Perfect Sinner (cake boyxboy)

(VI) It's Gotta Get Bad Before It Gets Good

The wave came at an astounding speed, knocking him off his balance and forcing him to tumble off his board, his entire body submerging into the water. The salt water filled his mouth and clogged up his lungs, to the point where he swallowed some, which in truth made him want to vomit.

Luke danced around in the water, trying to make his head catch up with his body. He started digging his hands into the water, paddling his way up and quickly emerging into the sun, coughing water out as he planted his feet into the shallow sand. The powerful wave had flipped him and he was experiencing a loud headache. It was funny enough; when Luke was amped for surfing, the waves were mellow and dragging, but when he was in a hazed mood, the waves would come like powerful tsunamis. Funny.

He jerked his head back, pulling the darker stands off his forehead. "Fuck," he mentally slapped himself, smacking the surface of the water, causing weak splashes.

Michael came around, straddling on his board and guiding with his hands. He came to a halt in front of a pissed off Luke. "What's up with you, mate? You're so off your game today," Michael said, his faded blue hair shining under the bright sunshine. And it was true, this was probably the seventh time Luke was wiped out before even elevating on the actual wave. Mike jumped off his board, levelling himself with Luke and keeping a tight grip on his board.

"I don't know," Luke lied. But he knew exactly why he was kept from surfing his best, it was because of the constant thought that came to mind. The evil, terrifying thought of Calum Hood. He still remembered falling asleep with Calum in his arms, how Calum didn't spass at him or attack him, how he stood steady in his arms, soft and cuddly. The way his breath combined with his body and he inflated and deflated to tune, how his breath came to a halt every time he woke up mid night. The way Calum had soundless snores, the way he wrapped himself into a cocoon. He couldn't stop thinking about this, mostly because last night he had learned a new version of Calum. The night past, it wasn't the sharp, dauntless boy with a temper, but a much quieter, softer boy. But the thing was, this softer, cuter Calum seemed to be more devilish than ever, because he as attacking Luke, emotionally, in ways he never foresaw. Would Calum and Luke go back to being like they were the night past? He didn't know because that morning, when he woke up, Ashton and Michael wanted to go to the beach, and Luke went along, but Calum had refused and stayed in bed. And Luke hadn't talked to him ever since the night past but the thought of him would stay in his head, like a weight; lingering heavier and heavier with time.

Behind Michael, Ashton flashed into sight from the mist, swimming his way. Ashton had come along, and Luke and Michael were teaching him how to surf, but in his haze, Luke wasn't in a place to do anything really.

"How am I doing?" Ashton asked, an innocent smile on his face. His curls were wet and shiny around his head.

"Much better than Luke here," Michael taunted.

"Give me a break," Luke rolled his eyes, fighting the water and walking towards the shore. He gripped his board which was floating about on the surface and dragged it with him, Ashton and Michael followed him.

"Are we done surfing?" Ash asked.

"I don't really want to surf anymore," Luke said and sighed. When they reached ashore, they walked over the hot sand, reaching their stuff by the car.

Luke was the first to sit down, accommodating himself on his blue towel. Ashton sat beside him, and Luke watched as the boy took a towel and dried off his hair.

"Guys I'm kinda hungry," Mike grumbled, resting his arm on his hip.

"Same here," Ashton agreed, bobbing his head.