Damn, You're Cute (Michael Clifford)

Chapter 69

Regret.

It was all I felt while my heart hammered in my chest. Abigail was long gone and I couldn't find her anywhere, not that I wanted to. I was more focused on Luke, but discovering him was no easy task. It took me awhile to find him on the courtyard bench with his old friend Jack, who was chattering away as always. I hadn't spoken to Jack since the beginning of the year when he was one of the only students I knew, so it was awkward to say the least when I walked over with a weak smile.

"Hey guys." I greeted them and noticed that Jack appeared much older. His round face was now more angled and his eyes seemed fuller. It really had been awhile since I last talked to him.

"Leah," Jack arched his eyebrows in surprise before allowing a kind smile to take over his features. "Its been so long! How are you?"

"I'm okay," I lied and allowed myself to steal a glance at Luke. He was already watching me with his inquisitive blue eyes, one corner of his mouth turned down. "What about you?"

"Great," he grinned and ruffled his brown hair. It seemed as if these few months had done him some good since his arms were more toned and less scrawny than before. His smile was wider and I realized what a great friend I had let slip away. I really should have gotten to know him more. "I was just telling Luke how I got this new internship."

"Oh, really?" I was genuinely happy for him despite my wave of emotions that were clawing at me from the inside out. All I could see was Abigail's hot tears that streamed down her cheeks as she hurried away from me.

"Yeah, I'm going to be helping out at this dealership. Cars are kind of my thing, so I'm pretty excited." Jack explained and rubbed his palms together with enthusiasm.

"That's so great! You'll have to tell me how things go." I said sincerely.

"I will, but what about you?" Jack insisted, tilting his head at me like a therapist would. "Anything new happening?"

My grin faltered momentarily as I shook my head. "Erm, no, not really."

"Ah, well, I'm sure something will come your way soon," he assured me although he had no idea that a storm had already come my way by the name of Abigail, and she had destroyed everything in her path. Luke must've noticed the uneasy shiver that rolled through my body because he spoke up.

"Jack, will you give us a moment?" he cut in and tore his gaze away from me, smiling gently at his friend. Jack nodded and took a step back, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.

"Yeah, no problem," he said. "I better get going anyway, but it was nice to see you, Leah. Maybe we can catch up sometime."

"Definitely," I smiled back at him, though at the moment, the last thing I wanted to do was smile. I wanted to get all the guilt off my chest, and who better to do that with than Luke, especially since it pertained to him?

Jack walked away toward the science building, which left Luke and I alone. I nervously peered over at my friend while he sighed and stuffed some books which were previously on the bench into his backpack. Once he was done, Luke played gently with his lip ring between his teeth.

"What's wrong, Leah?" he asked me after a moment.

"Who says anything is wrong?" I countered since I had much rather watch him chew softly at the metal in his lip than talk about my problems.

"I know you," Luke poked my side and earned a small laugh from me which instantly caused him to smile. "Tell me what's up."

"Nothing is up," I muttered, obviously avoiding the subject. I came to him so ready to talk, but now I was nervous. I knew I shouldn't have been because Luke was always so understanding with me, but it is not easy to confess something you aren't proud of.