Luke and the Boy Next Door | Muke

::Chapter 9::

Luke looked up from the crossword puzzle he and Abigail had been working on to see Calum strolling through the theater doors with a nervous Michael following closely behind.

Calum, of course, jumped behind the box office counter to attack Abigail's face with kisses. She was a giggling mess before she shoved Calum off her and onto the floor.

I snickered from the stool I was sitting on. Calum sent me a glare before he clung back onto his girlfriend.

"Don't give me that look, Hood." I rolled my eyes before scanning the puzzle in front of me.

"Says the one doing a crossword."

"I'm further educating myself. Abigail was helping me so shush." I replied.

The questions were tricky and we'd been stuck on the same question for awhile. We wouldn't look it up online, it was a goal for us to complete something as small as this without cheating.

"Summer Solstice."

I looked up to see Michael slouched over the counter. He was looking at my paper upside down.

"What?"

"The answer. It's Summer Solstice." He shrugged like it was no big deal.

I looked back over the question and then how many boxes I had left to fill in. It matched perfectly. "How did you know?" I asked curiously. I scribbled the answer in before looking Michael in the eye.

"Like I've said before. I had a lot of time to read."

I sighed. Michael surprisingly turned his attention away from me and over to Calum. They started laughing and joking about something that happened to them this morning. Since when did they get so close?

It's only been a few days since Ashton left and I've kept myself holed up in my room. It's not like Michael could have possibly taken Calum from me so fast. He wouldn't do that.

"-and then, Michael started hardcore flirting with this guy working at Starbucks and managed to get us free drinks." Calum was explaining, enthusiastically.

I suddenly felt sick. Michael can't do that.

I watched Michael cheeks flush a rosy pink. "It was nothing."

Michael turned to look at me, only to jump up and frantically run around the counter. "Luke! Are you okay? You look really pale."

I swatted his hands away. "I-I'm f-fine."

"No you're not. Here, Abigail will go tell your boss you're sick and I'll walk you home. Okay?" Michael was gentle, he had such a big heart and all I've done is be rude to him lately. But, I don't want to see him right now.

"No."

"Luke-"

"I said no! I can get home by myself." I shouted. Michael stumbled back, hurt flashed in his eyes.

Why am I like this? I'm such a terrible person. We used to be best friends. He was my life source.

I grabbed my things before running outside the theater. I pushed my way through the crowed sidewalks before slumping and sliding down the side of a building.

I buried my face into my knees and started crying. I haven't cried this hard since Michael left all those years ago. I haven't let myself feel all the emotions I felt way back when. Everything started to build up inside, I can't keep doing this to myself, to everyone.

I love Michael, but I'm in love with Ashton...

"Luke! Oh god, I should've known with legs like yours that you're still a fast runner." Michael chuckled lightly, he slumped down next to me. Pulling me close. I cried even harder.

"Why are you crying? Is it about Ashton? He'll be back soon." Michael reassured, rubbing his hands up and down my side soothingly.

I don't deserve Michael.

I shook my head no in response. "Why don't y-you h-hate me?" I hiccuped, tears were streaming down my cheeks. "I've been nothing but rude since you've been back." Michael smiled sadly at me, wiping away the tears.

"Because, you're my best friend."

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a/n: short chapter, but necessary. Luke is starting to come to his senses. Hallelujah.

Thanks for being patient, and sorry for the lack of updating last week. Everything decided to become hectic.

If you haven't already check out my new Disney!Muke story and then my other story Calendar I'll be starting that soon.

Thanks for reading. I love you guys!