Oceans Between - L. Hughes

Two

"They say she was seen on occasion. Pacing the rocks, staring out at the midnight sea."

~*~*~

A knock on my door woke me out of my hangover induced sleep. Isobel groaned deeply from her side of the bed and slammed a pillow over her head.

I dragged myself out of the bed and practically crawled to the door. I swung it open and rolled my eyes as Mark stood in the doorway with a tray of drinks and what I assumed was food.

"Goodmorning to my favorite ladies!"

We both groaned loudly at the upbeat tone in his voice. I have never understood how he could drink tequila like a fish and not have a hangover.

He follows me to the bed after setting down the things in his hand. I let out a loud grunt as he lands on my body while trying to jump on my bed.

"Sorry, Lainey." I try to push him off but he is so much bigger than I am. The effort is futile so I give up quickly. He's lucky he didn't land on Isobel or she probably would have killed him.

"Mark please, it's too early for your shit. Why can't you go bother the guys?" Isobel complained.

"Shut up you snarky shit, I come bearing good news for our dear friend." Mark and Isobel have always had a tumultuous sort of relationship. Isobel doesn't like him, she think's hes a good for nothing douchebag and well, Mark think's the same about her.

I love Isobel and I hate to say it but Mark and I come as a package deal. I just met Isobel last year and we have grown so close in the short amount of time we have spent together but, feelings aside I can have more than one bestfriend. And Mark is here to stay.

"Be nice to her. We are hungover as hell and you came barging in here with your loud energy. Spill the news or I'm gonna kick you out."

Mark snuggles his head into my stomach. His hair tickled the bare skin that my shirt didn't cover. "I talked to Lukey."

"What!" I slap his head in excitement. He rubs the now sore spot. "What did he say?"

He peaks up at me from his spot on my stomach. He had a satisfied little smirk on his face. "He said he would consider it."

"Oh my god you got me all excited for nothing." I pout. This boy could be so clueless sometimes.

"Wait what? I talked to him. Like you asked, and he said he would consider it."

"Wow you are such a fucking idiot." Isobel pulls herself out of the bed that we are all occupying and moves to leave the room.

"And you are a grumpy, prickly bitch!" Mark replied as she slipped on her shoes and left, the next thing I hear is the door slamming shut.

I turn to face Mark who is staring up at me with a small grin. "You have got to start cutting her some slack."

"I don't have to do anything my dear friend. I can't stand her and she can't stand me, that's never going to change."

Mark rolls so that he is now laying on his back. He pats a hand on his chest to signal me to lay down. I snuggle up against him, my head laying on his bare chest. "Please just be nicer to her. For me?"

He sighs softly, being just a tad dramatic. "I'll work on it."

~*~*~

My afternoon classes went by smoothly. I am on my way to meet Mark at the rink so we can go grab food after his practice. I figured this would be a good chance to talk to Luke. I'd corner him if I had too.

The ice rink on campus is beautiful. I've spent so many nights here that this place has become a second home. The smells and sounds are so familiar.

I spot Mark as he heads off the ice towards the locker rooms. There are a few guys left who are mindlessly skating around. My head perks up as I see Luke's number slide past my view.

Running towards the glass I tap on it to get his attention. He whips his head around to look at me, eyebrows drawn tight over his eyes in confusion.

"Can I talk to you?" I yell hoping desperately he heard me so I don't have to stand here and yell again like an idiot.

He still wears the same confused expression but nods, motioning me towards the tunnel that lead towards the locker rooms. I flash him a bright smile and haul ass over to it. I don't want him waiting on me.

"Beaumont? What can I do for you? If you're looking for Mark he just went to the locker room."

I have to tilt my head to look up at him. He is already tall as fuck to begin with but slap some skates on that boy and he absolutely towers over me.

"Hi, I'm so sorry to bother you but I figured now is a good time as any. Have you had a chance to look over the project?"

Luke flips the cage of his helmet up so that I can see his face better. He is dripping in sweat and it is distracting the hell out of me. He has always been gorgeous. Girls from all over campus practically worship the ground he walks on so, the heart fluttering attraction isn't anything new to me.

"Estapa told me that we are partners. I haven't looked at anything yet, I've been busy." He tosses his weight from one hip to the other. I can't tell if he is nervous or just really impatient and wants this conversation to be over.

"I would like to start on it sooner rather than later. I get that you aren't thrilled to work with me. No offense, you weren't my first choice either but we don't have any other options."

Luke chuckles softly. The noise vibrates through my body as I watch him run a hand over his mouth. "None taken. I understand."

"So, I would appreciate if you could look it over and get back to me soon. I'm not above begging if I have too." I probably sound so stupid to him but at this point if he asked I'd drop to my knees right now and beg him, I would do it. I reach out and stuff a paper with my number into the cuff of his glove.

He looks me up and down quickly. I feel myself blushing under the heat of his gaze. Oh god I should not have brought up the begging part.

"I'll get too it soon."

Without looking back he stalks off down the hallway. I loosen a breath that I have been holding. I did my part and asked him now all I had to do is wait. I hate group projects because I hate waiting on people.

Mark's loud ass laughter shakes me out of my thoughts. "Hi Lainey Mae."

"Hi Mark, are you ready?"

He drops an arm over my shoulders and tugs me into a walk. I laugh at his sluggish movements. "Rough practice?"

Mark shivers harshly, "Let's not talk about it,"

My laughter fills the hallway as we both leave the rink. Stomachs grumbling in search of some food.

~*~*~