Another Life (Sequel to Toxic) - Luke Hemmings

Chapter 9

I walked back to my dorm by myself, not really paying mind to the snow that was yet again falling around me. I didn't even know what I wanted to do with myself once I fell onto my bed, so I opted to text Sophie and Val and tell them to come over. I felt bad for leaving Val there, but like I said, she and Sophie were still close enough for her to not be alone. I was still going to apologize to her, but at least she wasn't left with a group of people she didn't even know.

I sat and waited on my bed, and once I got a text back saying they would be here in a half hour, I sighed and turned my TV on. I had no idea why it would take that long, but I started Fortnite to pass the time. Playing with Mike the other night got me back into it, and to say I was rusty would be an understatement.

After three failed attempts at singles, I threw my controller down to recollect myself. Right on que, I heard the knock on the door. I shot up and opened it, only to be greeted by a soaking wet Luke walking right past me. I didn't even have time to process it, but I realized he was covered in melted snow. I went right to my window and opened the shades, just now realizing that it was nearly a blizzard outside.

"I don't want you hanging out with Mike like that." He said, making my face drop. I didn't even answer, I just sat back against the side of my bed and shook my head.

"You'll never change." I said quietly, more saddened by this conversation than anything. I wasn't even mad that he was trying to be controlling, I was just upset that he proved me right yet again. His features softened, and I could tell by his posture that what I said got to him.

"It's a respect thing, I just-"

"All I wanted was for you to be a good person. All I wanted was for you to stop being a cunt. And you never stepped up to the challenge. You just kept proving everyone right." I started, and when he tried to interrupt I kept going.

"I wouldn't get back with you even if you were the changed person you say you are. The fact that you're not is what's laughable." I said calmly. I was at a point where the realization finally sunk in. What had I been crying over for the last 7 months? He made me happy a lot, yeah, but he treated me like shit way more. I didn't want that back, especially if he was acting the same way as before.

I don't think he knew what to say, since he stood there looking blankly at me. If I hadn't known better, it almost looked like he finally understood. It took him another couple of seconds to gather himself, and he headed straight for the door. Until he whipped back around and got in the last word.

"No, you know what? You can't get enough of me and you know it. If you weren't too busy worrying about what other people thought of you, we'd already be back together." He said, pointing his finger right at me. I wanted to ignore it, but I knew saying what I was about to say would send a clearer message.

"You're lashing out because you're not getting what you want." I said, keeping calm and trying my best to look as completely disinterested in this conversation as humanly possible.

My calm demeanor just pissed him off even more, though. Soon enough he hit the wall, making me jump up and open my mouth to scold him. Before I could say anything, he was already yelling.

"Why aren't you fighting back?!" His voice bellowed throughout my dorm, and he lunged forward the slightest bit as it did. It wasn't enough to make me flinch, but at this point I was waiting for him to do something.

"Because I don't care anymore." I said quietly, shaking my head at him. I gave him a blank look, and as if all the life left his body, his face fell. This was different than any other time we'd argued, and that's because I wasn't arguing in the first place. I think right then and there was when that realization hit him, but he didn't let it show for long.