redamancy // l.h au

twenty-three

I stood on the pavement in front of Barnes and Noble, waving my hand out for a taxi, when my phone started to buzz in my jean pocket. I smiled as I accepted the call, "Yes, Luke?" 

"Hey," He breathed; I could hear the smile in his voice, and the urgency. "Do you mind if we talk at your place?" 

"No, of course not." I laugh, "Are the boys giving you trouble?" 

"Mm, kind of," They laugh, "they've just woken up. It's hangover central over here; not exactly someplace private." 

"Okay," I chuckle, "I'll see you at the apartment in fifteen minutes?" He mumbles a 'yes' and we say our goodbyes before I shut off my phone. After a few minutes, a cab pulls up in front of me and I climb in. 

The driver was young, and didn't come off as the usual pervert, but looks can be deceiving. I muttered one word responses to his attempts at conversation as we raced down the city streets. I would've at least been courteous, but my mind was clouded with thoughts of Luke. I'm sure he wanted to talk about what happened a few nights ago, but I was just hoping for the best. 

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I've changed into leggings and my Nirvana shirt when I hear the doorbell. Sam insisted that he stay in the apartment with us, but I waved him away, knowing he'd cause nothing but trouble. 

I pull my long hair back into a ponytail before I pull open the door. Just as my lights adjust to the darkness of the hallway, my mouth drops open at the sight of him. 

Luke wore a tight black t-shirt underneath a sweatshirt sleeve hooded denim jacket. His jeans were a plain black, as always, as well as black converse. His hair was as bright as sunshine, but he dressed like a rain cloud. This boy was a walking contradiction. 

His smile lit up as his eyes locked with mine, "Hey," I smiled at him, and gestured for him to come in, all while nervously pulling at the baby hairs that hung on the sides of my forehead. 

"Charlotte still at work?" He asks, sitting on the couch to pull off his shoes. I sit a few feet away from him, watching as he struggles to avoid knocking everything off the coffee table with his long legs. 

"Yeah," I say, cracking my knuckles. It was something I did when I was nervous, and right now was no exception. "she's stuck their all day. I'm surprised she let me out so early. I mean, it's not like the bookstore is so popular, but it's hard to keep up with, you know? She can handle it, though. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to--" I stop myself, and look up to see Luke stifling a laugh, "I'm babbling, aren't I?" 

He nods, biting his lip, "Nervous tick?" I nod, and he laughs, moving a little closer to me. We're only a foot apart now, and my heart begins to beat out of my chest. 

A few moments of silence pass before he begins again, licking his lips, "I wanted to talk to you about that night; at my place. I wanted to say sorry again." I shoot him a confused look, but he shakes his head, "I shouldn't have done that, Rhea. I know I hurt you. You were half asleep and I--" 

"Luke," I started, flustered. "please don't apologize." 

"Rhea, I care about you, so much. You're my best friend." He looks at his tangled hands, and sighs, "I don't know how I will ever explain how I feel about you. You drive me insane, you know that?" His ocean blue eyes meet mine, and I'm lost. "Hell, I don't even deserve you."

"I'm not sure about anything," He laughs, nervously, "but I'm sure about you." He leans in closer to me; his hot breath fans down my face, and a flush of red floods my cheeks. 

"Rhea," He breathes; his voice heavy and low. 

"Yes?" I answer, my breath caught in my throat. 

"Can I kiss you?" 

My heart beats in my throat, and I nod, slowly. He leans in farther, slipping his hand to the base of my neck, and presses his lips onto mine. 

His lips are soft, and I could feel the stubble on his chin brush against my own as he moved closer. His touch was fire, and I had never felt anything like it before. 

His mouth moved in sync with mine, gentle and careful. His hands slid down my back, tugging me closer. I slid my hands into his hair, pulling him to me. My pulse quickened as his tongue grazed across my lower lip, and I opened my mouth. 

I had only had one proper kiss before, and that was a seventh grade slobbery mess. Compared to that, kissing Luke was otherworldly. 

We kissed and kissed until we were out of oxygen. We broke apart, gasping for air, gripping each other. My legs had somehow wrapped around his, and I has half-straddling him. His breath was ragged, and I opened my eyes to find him already staring. His lips were swollen pink, and his eyes were flaming with desire. 

I touched my own lips, and smiled. 

"I've wanted to kiss you since the day I met you." Luke began, his voice was husky and his accent deepened. I lean forward and kiss his lips again, causing him to tighten his grip on my waist. I pull away far enough so that our noses are touching. 

"Is this a dream?" I whisper, as he pulls me onto his lap. He shakes his head, and chuckles. "Luke, I forgive you, you know that. I actually have for a while." He smiles at me, and his eyes flood with relief and happiness. "I know you; I should know you wouldn't mean to hurt me." 

"I don't want to lose you again," Luke leans forward and presses his face into the side of my neck, kissing me there. 

"You won't," I say, confidently. And I meant it. "You have me wrapped around your finger." I sing, and his body shakes as he laughs. 

"Quoting my songs, are we?" He murmurs into my hair, and I nod. I close my eyes, and listen to his breathing, as we both sit there, clinging onto each other. 

Minutes, or even hours, could've passed by before Luke spoke again, "Can I stay for a little longer?" 

I smile, biting my lip. I pushed my legs off of him, and stood up, grabbing his hand. I pull him up off the couch and lead him towards my bedroom, and once he realizes, he stops in his tracks, "Rhea-"

"Oh, get over yourself," I laugh, opening the door. "I just want to sleep, is all." He smiles at me, and follows me into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. 

I lie down on the bed first, and he walks around the other side to position himself next to me. "Can I be the little spoon?" He pouts, leaning on his head on his hand, and looking down on me. 

I roll my eyes, and nod. He bits his lip, and turns away from me. Immediately, our legs tangle together, and I can't help but laugh at the fact that his long legs dangle over the foot of my bed. 

I wrap my arm around his waist, and he join his right hand with mine, clutching it to his chest. The smile hasn't left my face since the moment he kissed me. I run my fingers through his hair, creating patterns with my nails. 

After a few moments, he twists back around, and pulls me into him. His eyes are shut, but I know he's awake. His left arm goes underneath my head, and his right arm snakes around my waist. He kisses the top of my head, and I reach up to lay my hand on his cheek, rubbing my thumb against the stubble.

He smiles, deepening his dimple. I hear his heart beating, loud and fast. Eventually, the rise and fall of his chest sings me to sleep.