Vacant

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

            I couldn’t sleep that night. There were so many things running through my mind:

Was Luke okay? Who was that gang? Is Kyle alright? Questions crowded my head, waiting to be answered.

            I looked out my bedroom window, witnessing the navy blue sky. I watched the moon peacefully with the stars surrounding it. I wondered where Luke was, if he’s alright and to explain what happened. I exhaled softly, turning to my left side. I placed my hand underneath my pillow and tried desperately to sleep.

                                                *                    *                   *

            I woke up to the sound of the doorbell. Sunlight streamed through my purple curtains, slightly making my room a light violet. I then realized that it could’ve been Luke at the door. I pulled my bedspread off and ran downstairs. I remembered that I was wearing the same clothes I wore last night, but it didn’t bother me. When I got to the door I swung it open. And there he was, tall, handsome and wearing a black-eye.

            “Oh, my God,” I breathed. He looked ashamed like when you tell your pet that they did something wrong. He had his hands in his pockets and looked down, like always. He wore a plain white T-shirt, indigo jeans and white skate shoes. “What happened to you?”

            “After you left,” he started, hesitating a bit. It seemed like he didn’t want to tell me what happened to him. I cut him off abruptly.

            “You mean after you made me leave.” It came out a bit harsher than I’d expected, but I couldn’t take it back now.

            “Right, so after I made you leave, I tried to reason with the gang. Of course they didn’t listen. The one guy that was talking dirty at you took a swing at me. I quickly dodged it, but it was two against five,” he stopped there, maintaining his composure. He tried to look up at me, but decided against it. I just looked at him, trying not to intimidate him. He started again,

            “And then a whole brawl started. Most of the gang fled, but the leader stayed and caught me off guard while I was trying to help Kyle.” He pointed at his left eye where it bruised at soft purple-brown. It was a medium sized black eye, but it definitely looked as if it hurt- a lot.

I didn’t know what to say. I just stood there, processing all of my thoughts. I decided to feel sympathy toward him. He almost got knocked out and only wanted to protect me, which was a nice gesture. I reached out towards him with my hand. I stepped a little closer this time, but not so close as last time where he hugged me last night. I caressed his face, and as I did he looked up at me. His sky blue eyes were sorrowful and full of forgiveness.

            “Don’t ever scare me like that again.” I whispered to him. He seemed to have heard me because then he took me into a tight embrace. I felt warm against him, his chiseled torso made me feel safe and protected. He embraced me like he did last night with the same light force that I’ve grown to love.

            “I’m so sorry, Chloe. Please forgive me,” he asked politely. I only squeezed him earnestly, and that was enough for him to know that I truly forgave him.

                                                *                    *                   *

            After that moment, we let go of each other. He stared intently into my eyes, and I wondered what he would say.

            “Let me make it up to you,” he said. “Come with me tonight, I have somewhere I’d like to show you.” I thought about it, but so many thoughts came running back to my mind. What if we run into that gang again? Or what if they bring more people, and more weapons? And as if Luke read my mind, he said, “Don’t you worry about the gang, they’re long gone as far as I know. I promise.” And that was enough for me. I smiled at him and he gave me a luminescent one back.

            “Okay.” I said, and I went back inside to get ready for that special night that I wouldn’t miss for the world.