Back to the Place Only You and I Share: Luke Hemmings//5SOS

Chapter 7

After chasing Tom for my towel and finally winning, I had wrapped myself up in the navy blue material and tucked the end in the top by my chest, forming an almost dress-like garment.

Gradually, people had begun to leave the beach until it was just George, Luke, Tom and I. Tom and I were going to walk back to the campsite and meet the others later.

However, it seemed he had no intention of leaving anytime soon as he was currently down at the water's edge, skipping stones with George, leaving Luke and I alone back up the beach. The two of us were sat on the edge of the seawall, swinging our legs back and forth; each of us were sipping from a cup of hot cocoa (he'd insisted on buying), topped with plentiful amounts of whipped cream and marshmallows.

"Okay, you bought these; I'm buying the next round," I said, picking up a pink marshmallow, dipping it into the cream and popping it into my mouth where it literally melted.

"Okay, deal," he agreed, running a hand through his still wet and tousled hair before looking out at sea and taking in the stunning surroundings of the hazy pink and lilac colours of the sky. "I can't believe we're actually here." He let out a sigh filled with contentment, still looking out towards the horizon and breaking the previous silence that was building.

"I know," I chuckled. "An entire year has gone by... and honestly, it feels as though we've never left," I sighed, hating the thought of ever leaving this haven. "When was the last time you came down?" I asked, wondering if him and his family had came for a week in the Easter break like they used to.

"Last time I came down was last August," he admitted shamefully. "I haven't visited since the last time we were all here..." He took another sip from his hot beverage.

"How comes?"

"It's not the same without everyone here," he replied admittedly, looking down and fiddling with his fingertips as a strand of curly hair fell adoringly across his forehead.

There was something I found weirdly attractive about the way he looked in that exact moment; perhaps it was the pink haze of the sunset highlighting the contour and features of his face or maybe the rawness of the situation. Whatever it was, I found myself soaking in the fine details that mapped out his cheekbones and jawlines. And those eyes...

"Besides, it's been one busy year... I guess, what with the band and all, I never really found the ti-"

"Wait, what? What band?!" I cut him off midsentence.

"Oh, um, it's nothing really," he stammered. "Just me and a few mates- four of us actually. We've performed a few gigs and stuff and went on a, well, I suppose you could call it 'a mini tour'..." His voice trailed off as he toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Are you kidding me!" I exclaimed. "Luke, thats fricking awesome!" I pulled him into a tight hug as I congratulated him and a genuine smile lit up his entire face as he timidly looked at the ground yet again. "So, can I hear you play sometime?" I squealed.

"Well my bandmates are actually coming to stay next week. We'll be rehearsing and shit, so you could come along if you'd like?..."

"I'd love to!" I beamed.

"They'll be staying at the apartment actually, as nan and everyone are all leaving that weekend, but they'll be back for the last week of course."

"My friend, Azure, arrives here in a couple of weeks too."

"Oh god," he mumbled.

"What?" I asked; my eyebrows furrowed.

"Keep her away from the boys!" he laughed. "Trust me- they'd hit on anything with a high pitched voice and boobs."

"What's to say they won't try and hit on me then?" I smirked.

"Don't worry, they've been warned," he laughed.

I raised an eyebrow as I took another sip of the hot chocolate. "By who?"

"Well, me, but mostly my mum!"

"Oh my gosh," I laughed. "I bet that was an interesting conversation."

"That's one way to put it," he chuckled, just as Tom and George returned, much to my dismay, with green, slimy, wet streamers dangling from their hands. I screamed as they neared me, their pace fastening until I was chased up and down the beach by the two idiots and froze when I felt the disgusting sea plant slide down the back of my towel.

"YOU DICKS!" I yelled back. All of them, including Luke, were hysterically laughing.

You see, ever since I first swam in the ocean, I had had a fear of seaweed. Pathetic, I know. But it made me cringe. They knew this, and of course, used it to their advantage.

A few hours (and another hot chocolate bought by me this time) later, we said our farewells to George and Luke, as Tom and I made our way back to the campsite. It was a good twenty minute walk but it didn't bother me. By now, the sun had almost completely faded, and only one streak of red remained in the increasingly darkening horizon.

I noticed Tom smirking at me.

"What?" I said, puzzled.

"Nothing." He let out a short mischievous laugh.

"Tom!" I demanded. "What is it?!"

"Did you enjoy your little private time with Lukeypoo?"

I gave him a questioning look in return. "It was alright," I scoffed. "Did you and Georgey-porgy enjoy your 'private time'?" I winked, which seemed to shut him up. Two could play at that game.

When I got back to the caravan, I immediately took a shower; it was nice to rinse off all the dried, salt water that had accumulated in my pores and hair throughout the day. As I washed, my mind wondered back to what Luke had told me. He was in an actual band. A successful band. In all the years I'd know Luke, I had no clue that he could sing! Guitar: yes. I knew he could played the odd chord or two but I was intrigued to hear him and what his sound was like. However, I did know one thing and that was that I was sure to love it no matter what.