It's a Long Way Home (Luke Hemmings)

Chasing Cars

"Hey, Dani. I'm outside. You better hurry up and get ready because we're going out. Put your shoes on and get your butt out here."
Michaels voice from my voice mailbox played on speaker while I forced my feet into a pair of already laced sneakers. I flattened my fly aways with my fingers and threw on a random shade of lipstick.
I bumped my arm on my bed frame when I walked by it and cursed to myself. I grabbed the purse hanging on the arm of the chair sitting in front of my window and ran out of my room.
"Where are you going?" Luke asked, sitting up from his spot on the couch where he had been messing around with his guitar. He spent a lot of his free time writing songs. He'd gotten a lot better over the past few months, with a little help from me, of course.
"Michael and I are going out. Don't wait up for me, I think he wants to celebrate."
Luke chuckled and stood up to give me a goodbye hug.
"I guess finishing your first semester of college is something to celebrate," he said sarcastically.
"Isn't it, pretty boy? Go back to playing your guitar and snacking on your stupid Vegemite toast," I stuck my tongue out at him.
He rolled his eyes and placed a kiss on my forehead, which was a normal occurrence as of this past month.
"Be safe, yeah?"
"Of course," I smiled.

It had been six months since Luke and Avery broke up. He and I were closer than ever, but I couldn't imagine anything happening between us. He just didn't seem to like me in that way. That was okay to me. We were such good friends and we did everything together. He was happy to be independent, though.
He took himself out to dinner once a month claiming it was because he loved himself. He had progressed so much that the boys and I were beginning to think he might actually try to marry himself. But we were happy. All of us.

I walked into the cool June air and spotted Michael standing in front of his car, spinning his keys around his finger impatiently.
"Geez Dan, I've been here for fifteen minutes."
"I was sleeping when you called," I admitted.
"Asleep at 7 PM, who are you, Ashton?"
I laughed and gently slapped his shoulder.
"Where we heading?"
He smiled and opened his passenger door for me, "we're going clubbing."
"Oh. Fun," I grinned, clicking in my seatbelt and looking at my reflection in the side mirror, making sure my hair didn't look as messy as it felt.

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"Round two," the bartender said, setting a shot in front of Michael and I. We downed them in one quick gulp. I laughed at the scrunchy face he made when the tequila made its way down his throat.
"So," he started, wiping his sweaty hair from his face, "how are you and Luke doing?"
I shrugged, playing with the necklace he gave me for Christmas around my neck, "we've been cool. It's like hanging out for days on end, living together. We just started a new series on Netflix," I smiled.
Michael laughed and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You guys are a total couple."
I peered at him confusedly. Luke and I were just really close friends. Besides, we lived together, what kind of roommates don't spend time together when they're both free.
"No," I said, "you and Kat are a total couple."
Michael laughed and signaled for the bartender to get us another round.
"That's because we are a couple. You and Luke still haven't admitted it, but I can tell by the way you look at each other."
"Mhm," I said, downing the next shot placed in front of me, "let's dance."
Michael took my hand and lead me to the dance floor. He wasn't as uncoordinated as I was but he was still bad enough for me to laugh at him when a Greenday song came on and he broke out his "best" moves. He took my hands in his and spun me around the crowded dance floor.

An hour of dancing later, Michael and I shared a beer and then made our exit. It was cold outside but I was feeling warm and tingly from the alcohol.
"Too bad Luke isn't here, huh? You guys would be holding hands the whole drive home."
I groaned and grabbed his shoulder to stop him from walking towards the car.
"Why do you keep brining Luke up? It's getting really annoying."
Michael grinned, "because Luke is just so dreamy."
"Come on, Michael. This was supposed to be about me finishing my first semester of college. Isn't that cool! This isn't about Luke!"
"Take a hint, Dani," Michael rolled his eyes.
Michael started on his way back to the car and unlocked it for both of us to get in.
We drove home in silence with exception of the faint sound of the mixtape that I made for his birthday.
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol was playing softly while my thoughts were swarmed with the way Luke would kiss my forehead when we were about to separate, even if it was just for an hour. I bit down hard on my bottom lip and pressed my forehead against the cool car window.
When we got back home Michael walked me back up to the apartment. I invited him in for a quick snack and a cup of coffee. We sat down at the kitchen table with coffee and two day old cinnamon rolls. Luke came out of his room and sat down beside me, taking a small sip of my coffee.

"Hey Michael," he smiled.
"Hi Luke," Michael smirked at the way Luke left his hand on my shoulder.
I glared at him before shifting so that Luke's hand would fall off of my shoulder.
"Did you have a good time?" He asked, placing his hand right next to mine so that they touched ever so slightly.
"Loads of fun. We were talking about how great of a time Dani has when she's with you."
I narrowed my eyes at Michael and stomped on his foot from under the table. He yelped and Luke looked at him confusedly.
"I mean, really," Michael continued, "she says it's been the best six months of her life."
Luke smiled at me warmly and I showed Michael my middle finger before smiling back at Luke.
"I'm gonna get to sleep now, okay? Goodnight guys. Michael, you're good to drive home, right?"
"Of course. I drove here," he said.
"Alright. G'night," Luke mumbled. He kissed my forehead before walking away to his room rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn.

Michael and I sat at the table awkwardly, finishing our coffee. When we were both done he said he'd better get home so that his mom doesn't yell at him about being irresponsible with time again.
"I'll see you later, Mikey," I smiled, hugging him tightly.
I pulled away and was about to walk him out when he grabbed hold of my wrist and looked me in the eyes.
"As your best friend I have the right to tell you this," he prompted.
"You're being an idiot. You have something that could potentially be really great dangling in front of your face and you aren't biting."
I shrugged and patted Michael on the back, "whatever, Mikey. I love you, drive safe."
He sighed, "goodnight Dani. Love you too... Don't be afraid to fall in love, okay?"

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A/n:
Hello lovely human beings,
I don't have much to say right now. If you're confused about the timing again 5-6 months have passed since the last chapter. Michael has a girlfriend (good for him, that sweet lil kitten).
Things are moving along. The story is nearly completed! I'm sad to see it go. Keep it alive for me when it's done, okay?
I love you so much
Miss America