Selfish Appetite [5 Seconds of Summer]

[37]

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

         - -

Sloan

The last time I went on vacation with my friends, I kept an imaginary diary. Needless to say, it didn't end so well. This time, though, I remembered to bring my actual journal—just to be safe.

"Whatcha writing?" Ally's voice pulls me from my thoughts as she steps into the room, a bright smile on her face.

"I wanted to dot a few things down but when I opened my journal and clicked the pen, nothing came out. Now I've been staring at this blank page for ten minutes." I let out a long, defeated sigh.

"Let it marinate for a bit longer in your mind. It'll come to you." Ally suggests, her voice drifting as she walks into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her. "Are you showing your face at breakfast today?" she calls, speaking loudly so I can hear her.

"Yeah." I mumble absently, clicking the pen in frustration, hoping the words would follow.

Nothing. 

Only Luke's eyes burning a hole in my mind. 

Outside, I spot a group of people walking down the beach with roller skates slung over their shoulders.

They pass in front of the house we're staying in and stop to take a group photo.

I watch as one of them arranges the pose, directing everyone in the kind of way that only a natural leader could. It's the equivalent of our Mina. Another person sets their roller skates down on the sand to pull the brunette next to them into a tight, affectionate hug.

Big smiles under the sun.

That's the memory I want to carry with me from this vacation.

Even if things with Luke are... weird right now.

Bad, maybe. I'm not sure how pissed or disappointed he is. I've been expertly avoiding him since the beach.

"Luke's already downstairs, just so you can prepare yourself." Ally's voice filters through the door, quieter now.

"Thanks." I mutter, pulling a t-shirt over my head. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to tame the mess, then slip into a pair of old basketball shorts that Mina gave me ages ago.

"Is Adam Sandler your fashion inspiration for the day?" Ally asks, raising an amused eyebrow as she reappears.

"What?" I blink at her, confused.

"Nothing, never mind. You ready?" she checks with a smirk.

"No." I sigh dramatically, my shoulders slumping.

"Great. No one ever is." she shrugs with a grin and motions for me to follow her. "Let's go."

I chuckle despite myself, trailing behind her with a halfhearted step.

When I reach the top of the stairs on the first floor, I stop in my tracks, my heart racing. My eyes flick to Ally's, panic creeping in.

"It will be okay." she assures me, offering a comforting smile just as Mina exits her room, Michael trailing behind her.

"Oh my God." Ally and I both utter in shocked unison.

"Is that? Are they...?" I murmur to Ally, trying to act casual as our two friends emerge from the room—Michael holding his shirt and shoes in his hands.

"I think so." Ally smirks, clearly entertained by the sight.

"Oh, Lord." Mina's hands fly to her face, a deep blush coloring her cheeks.