let me go || l.h.

f o u r t e e n

luke smiled down at me. "well, i'm sorry that, but i was only trying to make sure that my girlfriend's mum liked me!" he said. i shook my head at him again, and bouncing a kiss softly on his lips. i opened the front door, where we found michael and katrina waiting. "calum walked elena home," michael said by way of explanation. i looked down at their linked hands and smiled at katrina. she smiled back at me, looking genuinely happy. i was glad.

i kissed luke again, and saw michael and katrina do the same. i couldn't stop smiling. katrina and i waved as the boys walked down my driveway. before crossing the road, luke turned around to look at me one last time. "i love you," he called out. i smiled, and heard katrina laughed next to me. "i love you too!" i called back.

***

i wrapped my arm around katrina's shoulder as we headed back into the house. she hugged me- one of those awkward sideways hugs- as i opened the door. mum was standing in the front room, hands on hips and eyebrows raised. katrina laughed out loud, "tiahn has a boyfriend!"

i hit her on the arm, feeling bad when i saw her wince. was i really that strong? mum shook her head at us, but then laughed. "i know!" she replied, smiling. "aren't you angry?" i asked. surprisingly, she shook her head. "luke seems like a really good kid. he's polite and i can see that he respects you. besides, i know that calum wouldn't have set you guys up if he didn't approve of him." she said. i was so happy that mum accepted luke.

***

katrina and i headed upstairs to pack up our things from the sleepover. i couldn't wipe the smile off my face. while we were folding a blanket, katrina started talking. "i'm really happy for you and luke," she said, smiling at me. i smiled back and walked over to give her a hug. "thanks, kat," i replied, wrapping my arms around her. she tightened her arms around me and sighed. "michael seems like a nice guy, too," i said tenderly. i felt her nod. "he is," katrina said, "he really, really is. i like him a lot." she smiled up at me, but her eyes were sad. "i just hope i don't fuck things up," she said quietly. i shook my head at her. "you won't kat, i promise. he'd be crazy to let you go." i said, giving her one last squeeze. katrina laughed, shaking her head. "it's not a secret that i'm just a reject."