Sorry it's been a while, I've been stressed out and blah blah blah no one cares
//
I walked back in to the living room with my flower now in its vase, pretending I didn't hear anything because I'm pretty sure it was just Luke being dramatic. I sat in between them and turned on the TV. I put Netflix on and went straight to American Horror Story. No one had spoken since I came through so I decided to break the awkward silence, "have you guys ever seen American Horror Story?"
Lame, I know, but I couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Nope, never, is it any good?" Was Michael's reply.
"Yeah it's amazing. I honestly just can't even, that's how good it is," I tried to explain.
Luke didn't answer. I'm pretty sure he was in a sulk. I turned to him to find he was already looking at me. I gave him a warm smile which he didn't return. He just looked at me with a plain look on his face. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, wondering why his mood was so bad. I understood that he didn't like Michael but this was extreme.
"Have you seen it, Luke?" I asked sweetly.
He shook his head. He didn't even bother with a simple 'no'. Is that really all I get? We were just in the middle if a make out session and now he's not even talking?!
"I'm cold, I'm gonna go get a hoodie," I said.
"No, don't worry, I'll get it," Michael replied, "where is it?"
"Upstairs in the bathroom, hanging on the back if the door," I smiled. He was really nice to me.
Michael left to go and get my hoodie so I turned to Luke.
"Why aren't you talking?"
He sighed and turned his head away.
"No Luke. I want an answer."
"He... He just comes in here like he owns the place, like he owns you, and you're falling for him and I'm hopeless and I really like you but I can tell you like him and you want him and... That's what's wrong," he sighed and looked down with sad eyes.
"Luke, I... I'm not falling for Michael. He's being really sweet to me and I'm not used to guys being that nice so I guess it's just a nice change," I explained, "guys usually don't give me a second glance and if they do it's because they realise how ugly, or annoying, or how much of an easy target I am."
Luke placed his hand on my cheek softly and caressed my cheek with his calloused thumb. He looked at me with an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't quite place. His sparkling eyes wandered from mine to my lips and back. He licked his lips and leaned in slowly.
"Haylee, I wasn't sure which one so I brought all three," Michael laughed as he walked through the door to the living room. He stopped dead when he saw Luke and I. We weren't actually kissing but by his reaction you would think we were dry humping. "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!?!"
Luke pulled me closer to him and put his arm around me protectively. The action made butterflies erupt in my tummy. I could feel my cheeks tinting red and my breathing was slightly different.
"Just face it, Michael, she doesn't like you, she doesn't want to be with you and she likes me," Luke said.
Michael was furious. I don't know why, I'm not that desirable.
"I don't know why you're acting so protective now. It's not like you'll be able to protect her. You broke up with Lilly and she's still not safe! We both know that! You wanna know why I'm interested in her all of a sudden? I actually think she's decent, and I don't want her to be hurt. Or killed," Michael said, his face red from anger.
I looked between them as they tried to stare each other out.
"What's he talking about, Luke?"
"Go on, Luke. Tell her. See if she still likes you then," Michael challenged.
"Leave." Luke said sternly to Michael.
"I don't think so, I'm gonna st-"
"No, Michael, I think you should go," I interrupted, keeping my voice steady and trying not to explode with anger.
Michael frowned but grabbed his coat and left, saying a quick 'bye, Haylee'.
When the door closed I turned to Luke.
"Answers. Now."
"Um... Where do I start?" He mumbled to himself.
"Normal people usually start at the beginning," I said in a patronising tone.
"Okay, so, I used to be in this gang, I was the leader I guess. They used to look to me for instructions and blah blah blah. Calum and Michael were in it too, Ashton wasn't - he was too much of a pussy to join. But I left because I was getting in serious money trouble because of drugs and they weren't happy that I left them. They now hate me and are making it their goal to punish me and hurt me as much as possible. That's where Lilly is; the gang took her, trying to get a reaction from me because they had seen us together. That's what Michael was talking about," he exlained.
I was unable to speak. I couldn't even comprehend what he was saying. I couldn't believe it. I knew Luke was scary and tough but I never would have pictured him being the leader of a gang. He was so sweet once you got to know him - until you uncovered his secrets.
"So were you ever going to tell me this?" I asked, finally able to form a sentence.
"It doesn't really come up in conversation..."
"What are they doing to Lilly?" I don't know why I asked. She's the school bitch, why do I care? I don't care. I guess I just wanted to fill the silence. When silence fell over Luke and I after his confession it was hard to breathe, the air was thick with unanswered questions.
"I don't know," he looked at his lap, avoiding eye contact, "they've tried to get in contact with me but I won't pick up my phone or answer any texts."
I sighed deeply. I wanted answers, but I didn't know the questions that would lead me to them. I wanted the truth, but I didn't know if I could handle hearing it. I wanted to know more, but I didn't know if I could live with knowing what I already knew.
"I think you should go..." I said, just above a whisper.
"But I-"
"No, Luke. Just go."
And he did. He walked out of the room, walked out of my house, but that was not the moment that Luke Hemmings walked out of my life.
