moodswings, luke hemmings

america < australia

Being back in America was both relieving and stressful for Clover.

"Luke," Clover mumbled, rubbing her temples. "I don't want to continue my education here. Summer is just now starting for me. In February, I want to go home."

"I don't think it's the best idea, Clover," Luke said, taking a sip of coffee. "You'd have to see everyone. And by everyone, I mean Gav—"

"I know what you mean," Clover snapped lightly, not wanting to hear his name. "I just— I know what I'm getting myself into and I want you to let me choose what I want. I know what I'm doing."

"Clover, you don't." Luke argued. "Going back would potentially ruin your progress. Seeing G—" He paused. "Seeing you know who would just bring you back to square one. I mean, he called you once and you were a wreck."

"I cannot just pack up my life completely, Luke," Clover looked up. "I already did it for the summer, which was hard enough. I won't do it for a whole year. And I refuse to go to school here in America."

"I understand what you mean, but—"

"Luke," Clover snapped firmly, getting his attention. "I cannot stay here in your house for the rest of my year. It's near 2023 and I am ready for a new start. By February, I'll be fine and I'll be back at home."

Luke exhaled and closed his eyes.

"I don't want you to go back." Luke stated.

"I'm aware, Luke," Clover mumbled. "But let me choose for myself. I'm sorry, but I won't stay here when I have a whole life back home that I need to fix. Okay?"

Luke didn't say anything.

Instead, he downed his coffee and set it down firmly, grabbed a jacket and left. Before he left the front door, he said, "I'll be back."

Clover trudged back to her bedroom in defeat and slammed her head back into the pillows. She exhaled a sharp breath and mumbled. "Fuck."

The rest of the night wasn't easy.

She was stressing about picking classes for the next year, Luke hadn't been home yet, Sierra was at an event with one of her friends an hour away — everything was just stressful.

Around 10 pm, Luke came home and instantly walked to Clover's room.

"Lucky?" He mumbled. "Can I come in? Are you awake?"

After a beat of silence, Clover mumbled, "Come in."

Luke entered Clover's room gently and closed the door behind him. He gently went over to Clover, where she was sitting at her desk, and brought her into a hug.

He tucked Clover's head into his chest and mumbled. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said such mean things. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Clover mumbled into his chest. "I'm sorry too. I should've been nicer. I love you."

"I love you, more, Lucky."