The Future (On Hiatus)

Mystery Meat

Lacey Monroe

I started hyperventilating after I hung up the phone with Luke. I only had a few minutes to prepare and clean up around my apartment.

What if he judged me based on this crappy place? What if he didn't like the food? What if he just came over to yell at me about leaving?

Gosh, even I think I'm annoying.

Calm down, Lacey. 

-
Twenty minutes later Luke showed up with a bottle of red wine and a smile upon his face.

Currently we were engaged in a heated discussion on if Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids are made by the same company (which they totally are).

"No Lace, I'm telling you, they totally aren't! Swedish Fish are super old. Why would they come out with something new?"

I got major butterflies in my stomach when he called me by a nickname, but I brushed the feeling off.

"Luke, why wouldn't they come up with something new and better to appeal to their customers?" I shake my head and laugh, while stirring the sauce into the noodles.

"Well... I don't know." He sighed in defeat and walked over to me. "That smells really good." He stated while looking over my head at the food.

"Why thank you, it's a recipe I got offline." I chuckled. He laughed along with me and grabbed his glass of wine, taking a seat at the table.

"So why is a girl like you, all the way here at a place like Australia, alone?" He stirred the wine in his glass and then took a small sip, looking up at me.

I hesitated, trying to come up with a believable answer. "Well, when you explore the world, Sydney is a place you can't not go to.

He shook his head in agreement and dropped the subject. "So, Lacey, do tell me what kind of meat is in this dinner. For all I know, it could be horse meat."

I fake gasped and opened my eyes wide for a dramatic effect. "Luke Hemmings! Do you take me for a horse slaughterer? This isn't mystery meat!"

He laughed at my bad acting and shrugged his shoulders. "Well what is it then?" I looked over my shoulder, grabbing the container I got the meat from.

"Well, from what this says, it's 100% whole beef. Does that clear this up?" I laugh, setting two plates of food down on the table.

He nodded his head, and grabbed a fork. He dug in without and hesitation and moaned in delight when he chewed it.

"Is it good?" Even though I already had an idea that it was, I just wanted to be sure. "Good? Lacey, this is some of the best spaghetti I've ever had!" He exclaimed, while shoving more food into his mouth.

I relaxed, and picked up my fork, eating some myself.

-
It was currently midnight and we were still hanging out. We were watching some horror movie that we picked out together. Honestly, it wasn't scary at all, but Luke thought it would be a "good idea" to protect me by putting his arm around me.

Not that I'm complaining...

"Hey Lacey?" I mumble a response for him to continue. "I don't want to leave." I try to get up, only for him to push me back down into his arms. "What do you mean?"

I probably have to get going back to the guys, but I'm so comfortable. I don't want to leave." I laughed, looking up at him.

"You can still see me later. You're tired, Luke. Go home and call me later." I smiled. He sighed in defeat and got up, slipping his shoes on.

I follow him to the door. "I guess this is goodbye." He sighed. I laughed, pulling him in for a hug. "I'll talk to you later, weirdo."

When he pulled back from the hug, he stared down at my lips and then up to my eyes. I swallowed nervously and looked to his lips as well.

I noticed Luke leaning down and I started to flutter my eyes shut.

Oh my god, this is happening. 

Just as our lips barely touched, his phone started ringing, pulling us apart quickly.

"Damn it, Mikey. I'll see you later." He flashed me a quick smile and left in a hurry.

I close the door behind me and slip down it. What just happened?