let me go || l.h.

t w e n t y t h r e e

"babe, i love surprises and all, but where exactly are we going?" i asked luke, pulling down the sleeves of my, wait no, luke's jumper. luke just laughed. "you'll find out soon enough," he replied mischievously. luke drove past the shopping centre and onto the freeway. i relaxed into the seat. i knew luke. he wouldn't take me anywhere stupid.

we sat in silence, listening to luke's voice and his guitar, calum's bass, michael's electric and ashton's drums. i found myself singing along to every song. "you really are a dedicated girlfriend," luke said when i began singing along to 'don't stop.' i shoved his shoulder and laughed. "no," i said, "i'm a dedicated cousin." luke laughed. "ouch, tiahn," he said, holding a hand to his heart. i laughed and continued to sing along.

***

eventually, we reached our destination. where exactly that was, i didn't know. we seemed to be in the country, although i could still see the twinkling lights and buildings of the city on the horizon. luke came around to my side of the car and opened the door for me. "here we are," he said proudly. "and where exactly is here, luke?" i asked. he laughed, "when i'm trying to write a new song, i usually come out here. the quiet helps me think," luke said. that was fair enough. "but why haven't you been out here recently?" i asked. he had just written a whole album, and luke hadn't mentioned this place once.

"i haven't had trouble writing, as of late," luke replied, giving me a small smile. "why not?" i asked. luke, once again, began playing with his lip ring. why was he nervous? "because of you," he said softly.

"me?"

luke nodded, "yes, you. you've turned me into a different person, tiahn. a better person. i'm a better writer, better at guitar, a better singer. you've turned me into the guy i want to be, just by being you. you're so amazing. you're too busy being who you are that you don't even realise how great it is. you make me so happy. i love you so much."

i didn't know what to say. was all that true? i smiled at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. luke pulled back, holding my hands. "i got you something," he said, reaching into his pocket. he pulled out a silver necklace. it was the shape of a guitar pick, with a cross on one side, and the word '5sos' on the other. i recognised the design. i had seen it before, but i just didn't remember where.

luke smiled, and pulled out a matching necklace from underneath his t-shirt. "they let me design my own necklace," he explained, fingering the pendant in his hand, "they're limited edition. it will be released when the tour starts. they made me two for myself." i looked up at him. the gorgeous boy in front of me. "thank you," i whispered, turning around so that he could put the necklace on me. as the cool metal touched my neck, i shivered. i turned around to face him, giving him a quick kiss.

"i thought it would be like our token. while i'm on tour. so you know that i'm always here, and always thinking of you. i haven't taken it off since i got it." luke said, smiling.

"then won't take it off either," i promised.