Lie To Me • lrh

Stars around Scars - Val

The boys had flown from LA to open for me at MSG.

"Hey Valentine. I missed you so much." Michael hugged me from behind.

"Hey Mike...are you guys ready for your set?" I asked as he was still hugging me from behind, I didn't mind. I was standing in the wings looking out to my fans. They reminded me why I do this. They are my everything. I was wearing a pink flowy dress with little silver hearts and strings for straps, and of course I wore my black converse.

"Yeah. How about—" He got cut off by Luke saying "Hey, watch your hands Mike. Don't touch things that aren't yours." He said as Mike backed away from me.

"Shit. My string came undone." I tried to tie the strings on my shoulder back together. I couldn't get it. "Here I'll tie it for you babe." He was funny, I'll give him that. Michael looked pissed at the word. I looked up as Luke tied my strings. He was wearing black pants with a button up white shirt and a red and black leather jacket.

"I can't believe you made me wear these shoes with this dress. I look like an early 2000s Disney kid wearing converse with a dress." I laughed.

"Well, I think you look stunning. And I know that you're going to do amazing tonight. You're amazing Val." He said as he kissed me on the forehead. Did he really believe that? That I was amazing. That I was so amazing that he just had to say it out loud and make my heart burst into a million butterflies.

"Thank you Luke." I said as I looked up at him. "I'm excited to see you guys perform. Which song are you doing? I really like Easier and Independence Day!" I was genuinely excited since I'd been listening to a few of their songs.

"I'm excited to see you perform. The last time you performed I—" I remember it like it was yesterday. How all of this started with him leaving...what's stopping him from leaving again. He looked upset, like he regretted leaving. Before I could respond their name got called and they were on stage.

"Hello New York! Wow, I've been in your beautiful city for quite a bit now! The views here are incredible! My favorite view though, has to be, by far, my stunning girlfriend, so Val, this is for you." He said as he pointed to me and he started the beginning of easier.

I love you so much that I hate you

Right now it's so hard to blame you

Cause your so damn beautiful, so damn beautiful

Is it easier to stay? Is it easier to go?

I don't wanna know, oh

They ended their set and Luke thanked the crowd and ran into my arms. "That was amazing Luke! Thank you...I loved it." I said. For a second, just a second. He looked like he wanted to kiss me.

"Yeah...let's make a bet..." seriously...that's what you say back to that? There's the Luke I know.

"Name it." I crossed my arms as he had that mischievous smirk on his face.

"For this set...I want you to only sing sad songs. I haven't heard you sing any sad songs except...you know...Death By A Thousand Cuts." Seriously, all these fans, crying because of a stupid bet.

"Fine," I said as I turned and walked out on stage.

"Hello everyone! Let's give another round for 5 Seconds of Summer! They are brilliant huh? Especially that tall curly headed blonde with blue eyes...hmm what was his name again?" I asked jokingly. "Oh that's right? Luke!" I sat down on the edge of the stage. I loved talking to my fans. "He's a cutie isn't he? Doesn't have much fashion sense though, I mean who wears black converse with a pink dress? I can't hold it against him though, he's an amazing kisser." I laughed as I looked at Luke in the wing, he was blushing like crazy.

"Anyways. Let's get started...this one's called seven." I said.

"Love you to the moon and to Saturn" I sang as I looked at Luke.

And I've been meaning to tell you

I think your house is haunted

Your dad is always mad and that must be why

I finished singing my first song of the night, I sang as I looked at Luke once more.

Passed down like folk songs

Our love lasts so long

I got a feeling like that could be true, like Luke and I could last. I pushed it away as I started the next song called champagne problems.

She would've made such a lovely bride, what a shame she's fucked in the head.

I kept singing

You won't remember all my champagne problems

It was song after song. Next was the 1

I persist and resist the temptation to ask you

If one thing had been different

Would everything be different

I continued like I had before.

For digging up the grave another time

But it would've been fun

If you would've been the one

Those last words hit my heart, thinking of Cameron. I would've married him...he was the one, but he's gone now, forever.

"The next song is Cardigan."

You drew stars around my scars
But now I'm bleedin'

'Cause I knew you
Steppin' on the last train
Marked me like a bloodstain, I I knew you
Tried to change the ending

Peter losing Wendy, I I knew you
Leavin' like a father
Running like water, I
And when you are young, they assume you know nothing

I finished the song as I looked over to Luke who was now sitting on the floor with tears in his eyes that matched my tear stained cheeks.

"Goodnight everyone! Thank you for having me!"
I said as I walked off the stage into Lukes arms.

"I'm so so sorry Val." He said as I sobbed into his chest.

"Can we go home?" I asked as he nodded. I felt like I could feel everything yet nothing at all. My heart hurt.

I lay in bed next to Luke. Thinking about Ryder, Cameron, and Matt. Thankful for the man laying next to me right now.

"Hey...do you want to lay with me?" Luke asked through the darkness, I was hesitant as I moved to lay on his chest. All night, he laid there holding me close, it almost felt like home.