a perfect contradiction • lrh

chapter four

There's a pattern: hurt people, hurt people.
If you never heal from what hurt you, you'll bleed on people who never cut you.

It was day three of being in San Diego.

Luke had moved into his apartment on the top floor which provided one of the most stunning views over the city.

His apartment had two bedrooms, a spacious living area and a balcony which boasted amazing views and a hot tub.

Luke was very fortunate during his teenage years, so money wasn't much of an issue anymore- but what is money without people to spend it with?

So far Luke had not gone any further than the convenience store on the corner for many reasons, one being his car had been delayed and was still stuck halfway around the world, and two what was a man with Luke's socal ability supposed to do in a city only giving attention to those in the center of it?

Luke was annoyed at himself and the whole situation. Moving country, even moving continent, was supposed to change things but here he is stuck, alone in another apartment. Frustrated and annoyed at everything, Luke decided a walk into the city would help clear his head.

After hours of walking, due to being lost which he refused to admit to himself, Luke stumbled upon a record/book store: Retro Records.

The window had a poster stuck to it- Part time job, no experience needed.

Contemplating it for a while, Luke didn't need it for money but it would be a good way to get to know someone in this city and have a purpose to get up and outside his apartment.

The store was covered floor to ceiling with records, vinyls, art work and collectables. It was bursting at the seams, but everything was coordinated.

There was a wooden spiral staircase leading to a second floor- loft style, visible from the shop floor. At first glance, Luke could see a keyboard and various guitars hung on the wall and what he thought to be a recording booth.

At the front of the store several big, brown couches with soft, coloured throws draped over them were arranged to create a perfect spot for music-lovers and literature-lovers alike to sit together and enjoy a hot drink from the vending machine in the corner.

The smell of coffee was strong and danced through his nose.

Music lulled gently in the background from the vinyl player and made the atmosphere relaxed and inviting.

Awkwardly, Luke walked up to the counter and behind it he could see an athletic built man with tattooed arms and he looked to be slightly older than Luke. He was talking to a younger man who was tall, had light brown hair styled in a smooth manner however, he was slightly more well dressed in a shirt and trousers, his arms and neck dripping with gold chains.

Both of them stopped their conversation, looking at Luke and studying the blonde boy from head to toe.

"Can I help?" the tattooed man replied whilst waving to his friend as he left the store.