Self-Destruction • Luke Hemmings

Chapter 42

"My name is Imogen."

"Oh." I gasp, she notices my reaction and sighs.

"I guess you've heard a lot about me." She says, sitting down on the bed.

"You could say that." I say hesitantly.

"Are you with Luke or Michael?" She asks.

"Luke." I say immediately, I feel awkward that she could even suggest Michael as my boyfriend; sure we're close but not in a relationship way.

"Great, well this is going to be difficult to explain." She laughs, scratching the back of her neck slightly. I remain quiet, not sure what to say.

"Luke was really sweet and I could tell he was trying to flirt with me, but I did tell him multiple times that I was with Calum. I'd been talking to Calum for weeks and he did eventually ask me out, which made me so happy." Her eyes sparkle with happiness, and I already feel confused at the fact I've been told so many different versions of the same story.

"Then...everything went to shit. It was just after we'd taken our GSCE's (A/N I'm not sure whether Australia do GSCE's, it's basically the test you take when you're 16/17) so pretty much a year ago and me and Calum had an argument. I met up with Luke at his house and he was comforting me while I was crying and stuff and then we started kissing. It was too much and I told him to stop...b-but he didn't and then h-he...." She stops and looks away ashamed.

"He raped you?" I ask quickly, then wince slightly at the uncomfortably way I say it.

"Oh my god, no he just got really angry and hit me. He pushed me out and I broke my arm. It was just scary seeing how quickly he flipped." Her eyes go blurry and I'm unsure how to react.

"I don't even know you." I laugh slightly, shaking my head and standing up to back away.

"I'm sorry, you're drunk, look....here's my number just text me tomorrow or something and we can talk or something." She pauses to write down her number on a piece of paper on my desk. I watch her do this and then shake my head and leave.

"Faith, I was wondering where you were." A voice behind me says, I turn and see Michael, I smile softly.

"What's up?" I ask, he hands me a bottle of alcohol and I instantly take a swig.

"Calum and I talked to Ashton, and we're okay." He grins, then goes in to hug me. I receive the hug gratefully.

"Why were you in your room?" He asks.

"I was just checking to see if it was locked." I shrug, starting to walk away from the door but Michael stays standing there.

"Come on." I urge, he looks at the door once before following me downstairs.

I look towards the crowded kitchen and see Calum making out with some girl. Even though it looks pretty gross, I still smile fondly, realising this must be the girl he liked. Even though I can't really see her, she looks really pretty. Shoulder length, blonde hair which is curled slightly and she is quite small.

"That's his girl." Michael tells me, pointing to the couple, I nod, and follow Michael towards the main room.

I scan the room and see Luke talking to some girl. I don't get suspicious or jealous, I'm friends with Michael and Calum so why should I get defensive when he has girl friends? Instead I follow Michael over towards his other friends.

"Faith, great party." One of the girls gestures towards the room which. I nod in thanks and take a swig of my drink to realise that it's pretty much empty. As soon as Michael realises he hands me another bottle and I gladly take it. I listen to the group talk and occasionally add one or two things but I keep an eye on Luke in the corner with the other girl. It doesn't look like he's noticed me so I feel guilty that I'm watching him, but I feel dread in my stomach when she leans forwards and whispers something in his ear.

"Faith?" Michael asks, and I turn to him to see everyone staring at me.

"Yeah?" I slur, swaying slightly.

"Are you okay?" He asks, looking at me with concern.

"Hmm? Y-yeah? Why wouldn't I be....?" I ask. My head spins and I take a few steps backwards. The alcohol in my system takes over and I fall into oblivion, the last thing I hear is voices calling me as I stumble backwards.

The darkness doesn't keep me for nearly long enough, and I awake to a gentle voice I recognise singing. Luke.

"You and I,
We don't wanna be like them,
We can make it till the end,
Nothing can come between,
You and I,
Not even the gods above,
Can separate the two of us,
No nothing can come between,
You and I..."

I move slightly and he quietens.

"I hate one direction, but I love your voice. What a dilemma." I sigh. He laughs slightly and brushes his thumb over my forehead. I open my eyes properly and look around the room I am in. It's my room.

"What's the time." I grumble.

"Half 1. You was out for 15 minutes." He tells me. I sit up properly and feel the room spin. I can still hear the music downstairs and it's starting to make my head hurt.

"Do you want to go back downstairs?" He asks, tracing random patterns on my exposed arm.

"Who was that girl?" I counteract his question with my own. His fingers still but then he continues his patterns.

"A friend, she wanted more but I didn't. I was more worried about you." He kisses my forehead, and I roll my eyes.

"You don't need to worry about me." I sigh. Luke acting like this makes me totally doubt what Imogen told me, it seems absurd, all of it.

"I do though, you always keep all your emotions in." He sighed, looking at me seriously, for a second I doubt how much alcohol both of us have had as this conversation sounds like two sober people.

"Now come on." He stands and holds his hand out for mine. I stand and try to ignore my head spinning, I grab his hand and we leave my room to go downstairs.