The Jock Neighbor

Chapter 21

Briar's POV

Luke sits next to me in class, our last class together before we graduate. Normally I would be really emotional but Luke and our friends all decided on a college that would work for each of us so we won't be away from anyone. If anything, I'm really excited to graduate now that things are working out this way. I was really scared at the idea of graduating all throughout my high school years because I had no idea where any of us were going to end up, but now that I have Luke, and all my friends, and that we will be in the same place, I don't feel scared. 

I feel a nudge against my arm. Turning my head to see the culprit, I find a questioning Luke gazing at me. He mouths "Are you okay?" to which I nod my head with a content smile. He nods his head, pleased with my response before facing towards the front of the class again. 

Blindly, he reaches his hand over to my lap and grabs my thigh in a comforting gesture, a way, his way, of reminding me that he loves me and he's here. I hook my middle and ring finger between his hand and my lap, my thumb brushing gently against the knuckles of his fingers. 

We sit like this the rest of the class, comfortable in each other's presence as the teacher goes on about the last bit of material and advice he has for the graduating students. 

Finally it's lunch time. I go into the cafeteria and grab my food before taking our usual table as I'm the first here. Slowly my friends filter to the table, as does Luke's friends who I've become very comfortable with very quickly. I didn't think we would get along since we came from different sides of a coin and they never really seemed to notice me, but after I got to notice them, I realized that they were very similar to Luke and very sweet. 

Luke arrives a few moments later, looking just as dashing as usual, his smile lighting up his face when he sees me looking at him. He parks his body on the bench right next to me, our arms and thighs touching as he takes his place. Goosebumps shoot up my body causing me to shiver.

"Are you cold, babe?" I hear the familiar voice of Stacey, finding her eyes to be filled with concern. "I can give you my cover up."

I smile softly at her. "No it's okay, I just... got a chill was all." I can feel Luke's low chuckle fill my body. Smug asshole. 

I clear my throat before crossing my legs, my shorts riding up to the crease between my thigh and pelvis. I can feel the burning gaze of Luke's eyes on the action which causes me to smirk. He tends to forget that I'm not the only one who gets affected by things. 

Suddenly, we hear someone clear their throat. Turning our attention to the reason, we see Alex shifting in his seat next to John. He looks up at all of us who are patiently waiting for what he's going to say before he speaks. "I have an announcement to make. John and I... are dating." Alex and John look around to gauge our reactions. 

Without having a second to prepare, we also burst out in congratulations, the guys near them clapping them on the back in encouragement. "It's about time, I could barely keep my comments to myself at bay." Luke jokes. The entire time we all stayed quiet about knowing that they were talking to each other, Luke wanted so badly to interject and get them together. He was having a hard time watching the slow burn between them. 

I laugh at his brazenness. "We're happy for you guys." 

Alex nods his head shyly, a small smile on his face. John laughs before grabbing Alex's hand and holding it. 

After that we all fell into our own conversation, enjoying the rest of lunch.

Luke pulled my attention to him when he asked if he could talk to me about something. "What's up?"