Hope

Chapter 20

Hope POV
"Luke I can't... I just... I'm not ready." I said.
"Oh.. Um.. I just I thought you liked me back so....." he said quietly.
"Yes Luke I do like you.. As a friend, Luke you're my best friend." I said sternly.
"Oh.." he looked at the ground.
"Luke don't be sad, I love you just as much as you love me, just in a different way.." I said.
"I just wanna be with you." Luke said.
"I won't leave you Luke, you mean so much to me." At this point I was teary, I love Luke, and to think, he thinks I don't care about him?
"But you don't! You don't care about me.." He said.
"Luke! Stop saying that! I don't like you in that way. You are my FRIEND. I love you like a friend, a brother." I was so angry, and sad.
"I'm sorry Hope, but I love you like a girlfriend." he said.
"Well, I love you like a friend...So what's the plan?" I said.
"I don't know Hope." He said.
...........
It's been really hard. It's been a couple days since I had spoken to Luke, and I'm giving him space for right now because my private therapist told me to. But I think I'm ready to have a civil conversation with him.
"Luke, hi. I need to speak with you." I told Luke.
"Hi Hope." He said quietly.
"How are ya?" I asked.
"I'm good, a bit sad." He said.
"Don't be, nothing's changed between us Luke, and you know that. I love you Luke. I need you, as a friend. Luke, I have been through a lot, and you mean so much to me. You've helped me get through so much, and I would hate you if you left me." I stated.
"I just wanna be with you Hope." He said.
"I know that, but I don't want to date you Luke. I wanna be with you, as a best friend, a sibling almost. I don't wanna ruin that with you Luke." I tried explaining.
"I know... I don't know.. I just.." he tried giving hand gestures.
" Luke, hey, I love you. Nothing has changed. NOTHING. You're the best thing I've ever had since my other friend whom killed herself. I need you, seeing you like this makes me horrified." I said.
"I'm sorry Hope, I love you." Luke grabbed me, and in-braced me into a hug.
"I love you more Luke." I smiled. Finally, finally he's okay, again.
...........
"Hey give me that back!" I tackled Luke, fighting for my chicken nugget. Yes, he stole my chicken nugget.
"Fine, but I get half." He said.
"Fine." I rolled my eyes.
"Hey Hope! Whatcha doin?" My mom smiled. Oh my gosh.
"Mom!!!" I ran up and gave her a bear hug, gently. This is the first time she's gotten up basically since she woke up.
"You're so strong mommy." I said crying.
"No Hope. You are." Her eyes glistened. She looked fair, and beautiful.
"I love you mom." I was relieved that she was okay.
"I love you too." my mom hugged me continuously.
"Hey mom, this is Luke." I introduced them to each other. They said their 'hellos'. We were all going to eat lunch, as a family. My brothers were coming too! Finally, I'm allowed to leave this dang hospital for a decent meal. But we have to be extra careful, especially for my mom.
"Hoppy!" My brothers said in unison.
"Hey boys!" I smiled a genuine smile.
"You saved mommy!" They said, which made my heart melt.
"Mommy is very strong, I only helped her." I said.
"I miss you hoppy." They both said.
"I miss you guys too, but I'm here now, and everyone is okay." I said. And I finally believed myself. We ate a meal, we were happy, a family, including Luke.
"Oh my gosh! I remember that!" I said as dad took a memory from the past. Luke was laughing so hard, spaghetti went everywhere. I then realized that there were good memories from me, I had problems, but my family still loved me.
"I love you guys, I appreciate you so much." I said suddenly. Call us cliché and weird, but we all started holding hands across the table.
"We love you Hope. Family loves family know matter what. And you have proven to us that you also care, and how hard you worked to show us, shows us that you are an amazing human." My mom said.
"Thanks mom." I said blushing. I finally felt truly happy, and I felt as if all the puzzle pieces were finally coming together.