Selfish Appetite [5 Seconds of Summer]

[53]

"Somewhere between here and there."

- -

Sloan

A nightmare woke me up at five in the morning. It has been a while since I shot up from bed like that, not knowing if I was back into reality or still dreaming.

The house was quiet, save for a few snores here and there.

I didn't know what to do with myself to spend the time until the others woke. I was anxious and tired, but still managed to drive to the cemetery. After talking to my parents for a while I came back home, to find everyone still asleep.

At nine, they started to wake up.

The sound of footsteps echoing through the halls feels different now with everyone packing up to leave.

The others are already on their way, making their goodbyes, ready to head back to real life.

I've been doing my best to act normal, but my mind keeps replaying last night's moments with Luke.

I glance toward the doorway as the last of them head out.

I watch as Ally waves, a knowing look in her eyes. She's been more accepting of Luke's presence, something I never expected, but it's a relief to see her letting it go.

Then I feel his presence behind me.

"Not joining them?" I ask, turning to look at Luke, who's leaning casually against the doorframe.

He shakes his head, his eyes narrowing playfully. "I'm good here. I think you need someone to stick around, just in case."

I raise an eyebrow, half-amused. "Just in case of what?"

"In case you decide to get too nostalgic about this place and forget that the world doesn't stop turning." His grin is teasing, but there's something else behind his eyes-something softer. "Besides, I'm not letting you be alone. We've a truce going, remember?"

I swallow the sudden lump in my throat.

"Alright, fine. But only if you promise not to complain when I drag you around all day."

Luke grins, leaning forward slightly. "Lead the way."

*

We spend the morning walking through the town. I show him some of my old haunts-the places that used to feel so familiar, so comforting when I was growing up.

There's the small diner with the best pancakes in the world, the corner shop where I used to buy candy with my mom on rainy afternoons, and the tiny bookstore tucked away in an alley.

I point out spots with an ease that feels strange, like I've lived here forever, and yet, in the quiet moments, it all feels so distant.

We keep walking, past the park where I used to swing as high as I could, trying to touch the sky. The faded memories feel sharp, but not painful. Just... distant.

Luke's quiet for a moment, watching me as I stop by the swings. "This is where you used to run wild, Bennett?"

"Yep. I'd race around this whole park, thinking I could outrun everything." I give him a wry smile, turning to face him. "Turns out, you can't outrun your past."

He steps closer, his face softer. "You don't have to outrun it. You just... have to face it."

He says it like he knows what it's like, like he's been there too.

Because he has been.

I nod, swallowing hard. "Maybe."

He watches me for a long beat, then changes the subject, his usual playful smile returning. "Well, if you're done being all philosophical, how about we get some of those pancakes you promised me?"