It's a Long Way Home (Luke Hemmings)

You Are What You Eat

When I woke up the morning after falling asleep by Luke's side, I was confused to open my eyes and find that he wasn't right next to me. I brushed it off thinking maybe he had gotten up to use the bathroom or make breakfast. I stretched my arms over my head and got up to brush my teeth. The sun shone right through my bathroom window, it was still low enough in the sky to know that it couldn't be past ten in the morning. I yawned and walked out of my bedroom with my hair messily thrown about and a tiny bit of leftover makeup smudged under my eyes.
My heartbeat started to pick up when I remembered the feel of Luke's chest and the way he ran his fingers through my hair. I heard him shuffling around the kitchen, probably trying to find something to eat.
"Hey Luke," I started happily, rubbing my hands over my eyes," why are you up so ear-"
I stopped short of my sentence when I opened my eyes and saw Avery leaning against the kitchen counter, glaring at me like I was some sort of intruder.
I darted my eyes to meet Luke's, but when I tried to look at him his head fell shamefully. No, he couldn't be doing this to me. I wouldn't believe it.
"Close your mouth honey. He's done with his little rebound. You knew that couldn't have lasted long, didn't you," Avery pretended to sound sympathetic.
"Aw, it's just too bad you aren't good enough for him. Back off, bitch. I knew you'd try to steal my boyfriend from day one."
I slowly stepped away from the kitchen and made one last desperate attempt to let Luke know what he was doing was wrong. I wanted him to say something. Anything, to defend me. He finally moved away from the spot he had been standing and stood by Avery's side reluctantly.
"Oh," I said, before turning away and darting as fast as I could back to my room.
I ran in to my room so quickly that I slid a little when I reached the doorframe. I slammed it shut and locked it in one swift movement. I couldn't even make it to my bed before my legs gave out. I sank to the ground and buried my face in my knees. This is so messed up, I thought.
This wasn't on me. This wasn't even on Avery. This was all Luke's fault. Just when I had come to terms with how I felt and I thought maybe, just maybe, we could be happy, he goes right back to the girl who's tormented him for over a year.
And to think, she said I wasn't good enough for him. I was angry. Beyond angry. So furious that I couldn't stay here. Not with her here.
I bit down on my bottom lip and tried my hardest to slow my breathing, then grabbed my phone off of the floor and dialed the only person who I thought could help me right now.
"Hello?" Michael asked from the other end of the line.
"Michael," I said unsteadily.
"Danielle? Are you okay, what's wrong?"
"I'm fine," I said, mentally cursing myself for not being able to keep my cool. I wasn't going to let this get to me.
"You don't sound fine," Michael said worriedly.
"Can you, um, just come pick me up? Don't come up to the apartment, just park out front and tell me when you're here."
Michael shifted on the other end. I heard the clink of his car keys and he said, "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
I whimpered a weak thank you before placing my phone back on the ground and changing into a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt. I pulled my hair into a loose ponytail but I didn't bother putting on makeup. I just wanted to get the hell out of here. I heard Avery and Luke laughing from his bedroom and I wanted to scream.
I grabbed a backpack from my closet and stuffed it with my laptop and a jacket. I pulled my phone charger out of the wall and tossed that in as well.
Michael called and I didn't even bother to pick up. I just walked out of the apartment and slammed the front door. I walked down the stairs two at a time and met Michael at the parking lot. He looked worried and his hair was a disheveled mess. He must have just woken up when I called him. I didn't say anything, I just held my breath and gave him a tight hug, hoping he wouldn't ask questions.
We got into his car and he pulled out of the parking lot. As soon as we got onto the freeway he took small glances in my direction every once and a while. I could see concern in his reflection on the car window. I didn't look back at him. I stared out the window and blinked away the tears building up in my eyes. My throat felt like it was closing in on itself and I made the mistake of taking a deep breath and exhaling a shaky sob.
"Dani," Michael pleaded, "Dani what's wrong. Did Luke do something to you?"
I shook my head no and gave up on holding back my tears. They streamed down my face carelessly and I pulled my sleeves over my hands to wipe them as they came.
When we got to Michael's house he parked in his driveway but neither of us got out of the car. He took hold of my right hand and squeezed it in his.
"Why are you crying?" He asked softly.
I pressed my lips together and let out a shaky breath.
"Please just don't worry about it. I need a distraction."
Michael nodded and got out of the car. He opened the door for me on my side and helped me out. He put his arm over my shoulders and brought me inside his house. It was just barely twelve o' clock so his parents were at work. He sat me down on his bed and came up right next to me. I wasn't crying anymore but I was still clutching on to his arm and burying my face in his chest. He rubbed his hand up and down my back to comfort me.
"I hate him," I whispered.
Michael pulled me in close and let me lie down on top of him while he reassured me that I was okay.
After ten minutes I finally peered up at Michael. He brushed his thumb along my cheek and smiled. I didn't know why but oh god did I want to kiss him. I grabbed a handful of his shirt and kissed his cheek thankfully. He let out a heavy breath and slid his hand underneath my chin. I looked at him and darted my eyes down at his lips before looking back into his eyes. He pulled my face even closer to his so that I could feel his warm breath on my face. I closed my eyes and he pressed his lips into mine. I ran my fingers through his brightly colored hair and kissed him again. He moved his hand down to the small of my back and whispered in my ear, "I like you, Dani."
I opened my eyes to meet his and saw just how much he meant it. I smiled back at him and kissed him one more time. For a brief moment, he made me forget the rest of the world.

Michael and I stayed on his bed practically the whole day watching reruns of The Office and listening to old Blink 182 songs. We held each other's hand and shared a bowl of popcorn and made lighthearted jokes about each other.
Michael's mom came home first with takeout Chinese food. She greeted me kindly and asked if I was Dani.
I nodded yes and held out my hand to shake hers.
"My name is Karen, Michael talks about you day and night," she smiled.
Michael hid his face in his hands, "mom, don't tell her that."
I giggled and took Michael's hand back into mine.
"Are you staying for dinner, Dani?" Karen asked kindly.
"I-"
Michael looked at me with puppy dog eyes, "sure," I smiled.

Dinner at the Clifford residence was a lot like dinner back at my own house. We all sat at the table together and started together and talked about our day. Well, I didn't, of course. Michael did share that he had a great day because he got to spend it with me. I smiled at the ground and tried to hide my blush.

After dinner I said my final goodbyes to Michael's family and we walked out together.
"It's not a bad idea for me to bring you back to your apartment, is it?" He asked cautiously.
"I'll manage," I said I uncertainly.
"If you ever need me to pick you up again, just call me. I don't know what's going on but you seemed really upset, Dani."
I sighed, "yeah. It's over now. It doesn't matter."

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"Bye," I said, giving Michael a small goodbye kiss and messing up his hair.
"See you later, Dani," he smiled.

The apartment was dark when I walked in. All of the lights were off except Luke's, which I could see from under the crack of his door.
Luke came out of his room with a frown on his face. He looked exhausted.
I rolled my eyes and started walking towards my room when he stopped me.
"Dani, wait..."
I crossed my arms over my chest and waited.
"Avery and I are back together now. You don't need to worry about me," he said hopefully.
I walked away and stopped at the end of the hallway. I turned around and faced him one last time.
"Whatever."

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A/n:

Hi,
This was a roller coaster. This story is kind of writing itself at this point. Anyway, this is the midway point of my story pretty much. It's cool to have come this far into it.
I hope you hate Avery as much as I do.
Much love,
Miss America