focus on me | l.r.h

two

I jolted awake at the sudden realization that my sleep had been a little too leisurely. Rubbing my eyes, I reached for my phone on the bedside table to check the time. My eyes widened at my tardiness.

I had to be across campus in my music class by 10, giving me only fifteen minutes to get ready and to journey my way to the music building, which was already a 10 minute walk. I hurried out of my bed and to the desk beside me, swiftly running a brush through my tangled hair. Completely ignoring my face routine, I grabbed the first hoodie I could find, and swapped my sweats for a pair of already worn black leggings.
I grabbed my bag which was hanging by the door, slipping on my shoes on my way out.

Out of breath, I hurried down winding flights of stairs, reaching for my phone to check the time. 9:51.
I walked at a face pace through crowds of students and administrators, switching between a light jog and a swift walk. I repeatedly checked my phone for the time to find that the minutes passed faster than usual today.

I arrived at the door to my music class at 10:00 on the dot, swinging the door open. The loud snap of the doors hinges caused the class to turn their attention towards me, leaving my face red. I put my head down and briskly took my seat in the back of the class. My professor quickly glanced at me with a straight face before taking a seat on a stool at the front of the classroom.

"Good morning, everyone." He began lightly, "Today's going to be a little different, a guest will be joining us for class today. I let out a sigh and sunk deeper into my chair, hopelessly wishing that my professor forgot about the tutor overnight.

"A former student of mine, Luke, will be coming in to introduce himself. He's going to be open for guitar tutoring to any of you who would like some extra help in my class." The students mumbled amongst themselves about the new tutor, as if they new something that I didn't. Is this tutor going to be the same Luke that Leah was talking about?

For the next fifteen minutes, my professor continued to ramble about respecting the new member of our class, how this tutor would benefit, and other meaningless words that I payed no mind to. His rambling was soon cut short by the sound of door. The class turned swiftly in their seats, me following. My face contorted and my eyebrow raised at the sight before me.

An absurdly tall, blond man made his way into the classroom, showing a warm smile. His hair laid in messy blond curls atop his head, his bright baby blue eyes hypnotized my classmates. He dressed properly in a flowing white button up and slacks, leaving the too few buttons of his blouse undone. He was almost prince charming like. This cannot be the tutor. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that I've seen him before.
I watched in disbelief as the tall boy made his way past my seat and to the front of the room as the memory of the large boy who bumped into me yesterday flashed in my head. It was him.

He pulled a stool up next to my professor and took his seat, leaning his elbows on his thighs.

"Class, this is Luke." My professor greeted with a smile, gesturing to the boy next to him. Luke flashed a smile with a small wave before speaking.

"Hi, everyone." He began. His voice was one I wasn't expecting. His tone was much deeper, and had a hint of an accent I couldn't quite decipher. "I'm Luke, I graduated here in 2017. I basically lived in this classroom." He spoke with a chuckle. I looked around the room to gather the reactions to Luke from my class. The girls bit their cheeks and nails, staring longingly. The boys watching in admiration.

"I've always been in love with guitar, and I just wanted to share my love for it with other people." He explained. I watched the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled, and the way his hair bounced when he laughed. He was undeniably beautiful.

My professor and Luke shared stories of his past classes together to class, while the class talked to Luke and amongst themselves and I watched Luke closely, studying his every move. I have to be alone with him? He has to teach me guitar? I was too lost in thought to hear my name being called several times.

"Y/n?" My professor called once more. I flinched from my trance, connecting eyes with Luke before my professor.

"Sorry, yeah?" I shook my head.

"Are you going to be able to stay during your lunch hour for tutoring?" He spoke calmly. I glanced back at Luke who was looking back at me with a tilted head, his hands connected in his lap.

"Uhm." I muttered, "Yeah, I'll be here." I spoke shakily.
"Great. Luke's a great mentor, he won't let you down." He spoke with a wink and a smile. I let out a fake laugh and forced a smile, putting my head down on my desk.

My class period went by agonizingly fast, leaving my dreading my upcoming lunch hour. I had to spend sixty minutes with this intimidatingly handsome stranger. I prayed hopelessly that I wasn't the only one in need of tutoring that day.

I stayed put in my seat watching class members leave one by one, watching myself become increasingly more alone by the minute. I came to realize that I would be the only one in need of help today. My professor wished me a good session before exiting the room.
Luke gave me a glance before standing up from his seat and making his way towards my chair. My eyes wandered the floor aimlessly as my heart rate began to incline.

"Y/n, right?" He spoke softly , dragging a chair nearby to sit beside me. I looked up at him, our eyes meeting momentarily.

"Yes." I piped anxiously.

"You seem nervous. You don't have to be nervous." He reassured me generously. "I know playing an instrument in front of people, especially alone, can be a little overwhelming." He ran a hand through his blond locks as he spoke.

"Yeah. I'm not too fond of guitar, let alone performing it." I giggled quietly, my eyes glued to my hands in my lap. Luke let out a chuckle following with a nod.

"I understand. How about this. We'll just talk today. Yeah? I wouldn't want to be told what to do by a stranger either, especially about a subject I don't even like." He smiled softly. I looked back to him reciprocating the smile.

"We can just chill. Talk about why you chose guitar, what else you'd like to do besides guitar... Sound good?" He chirped. I nodded.

"I'd like that a lot." I sighed. Luke adjusted in his seat, leaning back.

"You weren't very keen on the idea of a tutor, were you?" He tilted his head. Trying my best to spare his feelings, I hesitantly responded.

"Well... No. But, you turned out to be a lot cooler than I thought. You're not some old dude who's passion is 80's rock." I giggled. Luke chuckled and shook his head.

"Definitely not some old dude." He exaggerated with a laugh, "But definitely passionate about 80's rock." He joked with a serious tone. He leaned down to adjust the cuff on his slacks, causing me to catch a whiff of his strong cologne. He smelled heavily of a desirable musk and hypnotizing scents I couldn't name.

"Y/n, I think you're gonna do just fine. I'm confident that I'll get you enjoying that guitar in no time." He softly reassured with a smile, patting me on my knee. I swallowed a lump in my throat at the feeling of his large hand upon my leg.

"I hope so."