Learn to Change. / L.H

4 / Luke

As we walked into school I looked around the corridors. A few girls were sending us flirtatious looks. Michael and Calum winked back. I didn't care for them. I looked to the end of the corridor and saw Maddie stood against a set of lockers talking to Maya. Damn, that girl knew had to drive me crazy. The hem of her black skirt was sitting mid thigh and the white crop top was tucked into the skirt. One side of her knitted cardigan hung off her shoulder. I smiled noticing her Converse clad feet. For as long as I remember she's worn Converse. The only other shoes I've seen her wear are boots in the winter

"You know, Luke, you need to stop with this whole Maddie thing you've got going on or whatever it is. There are plenty of other girls who want to fuck you"

"I don't have a Maddie thing"

"Whatever you say" He said before walking off. I looked back at Maddie to see her coming towards me.
Before she could get closer enough, I walked away, pushing past her slightly as I did. Calum was right, I needed to stop whatever this thing with Maddie was. I went into homeroom and sat besides Michael.

"So, how's things?"

"What things?" I questioned him.

"Maddie"

"You don't have to worry about that anymore, I'm not gonna bother with her. We're just partners for our chemistry project, that's all"

"Good to hear, I was getting fed up of her and her stupid little friends" He said and I faked a smile.

***

After meeting up with Calum and Michael at lunch, I followed them. I had no idea what part of school they were heading to. They lead us to behind the science department and sat down. There was no one else around her and more importantly, no cameras. I watched as Calum and Michael both took out a packet of cigarettes. Calum offered me one and I took it. I hadn't been able to get my own lately. I used Mikey's lighter and took a long drag, breathing out the smoke. Suddenly, we all heard talking coming from round the corner. I looked to see Maddie, Brooke and Maya. Why the hell would they come round here?

"Ugh, dickheads" Maya said as they got closer.

"Hey, why don't you lovely ladies join us" Calum said as they walked past.

"We're good, thanks" Maddie replied sarcastically. She was pissed with me. I knew she was. She'd tried to talk to me three times today and each time I acted like a dick. The first time was to check that we were still on for tomorrow:

"So, you still good for tomorrow?"

"Sadly, yes"

"Ugh I know, chemistry"

"I didn't mean the subject"

She seemed to understand that the remark was directed at her and rolled her eyes and walked away. The thing was you could tell she was trying to make an effort with me. She disliked, I wouldn't go as far as hated, me and I'd only made matters worse. The second time was when I was stood talking to a guy from my geography class at his locker which happened to be by Maddie's. She came over once he'd left, already not happy with me:

"Is it easier if we have each other's numbers? For arranging when to work on the project?"

"Why would I want to talk you anyway?"

She slammed her locker and walked off. The third time she saw me outside my locker. She stood beside me and crossed her arms:

"I don't know what I've done wrong but I'd appreciate it if you'd make things clearer for me"

"The same thing you always do, be you"

"But you were being nice to me two days ago"

"We've known each other for a while now, I would've thought you would've learned to know that I can act when I want to"

"I can't believe you. I was actually trying to give you a chance but no, you're such a fucking dick. I fucking wish I didn't have to do this project with you. All those years in middle school that you bullied me, you made my life hell. You may think I'm the problem, but trust me, it's you so don't even fucking try to blame it on anyone else"

She stormed off after that. I sighed as I saw them sit down a good 10 metres away from us. I took another couple of drags from my cigarette. A few minutes later, Maddie walked past us by herself. I looked back over to her friends to see them standing up and coming in our direction rather than past us.

"Look, I don't what you did, Hemmings, but way to fucking go" Brooke raised her voice.

"I just told her the truth" I shrugged.

"She was so close to letting her walls down for you. She's not one of your little toys that you can ditch when you're fed up of it. I can't believe she was actually sticking up for you yesterday" She was what? Brooke was right. Way to fucking go, Luke.

"I knew there was no chance you'd change. Not in a million years. Especially not for Maddie, you've never got on. Why, Luke? Why is that?" Maya raised her voice too.

"We just clash, I guess"

"You guess? For fucks sake, you're an idiot"

"Why don't you guys just run off to your little friend and see why she walked away from you" I told them, turning my back on them. They both huffed before doing as I said.

"Shit, man, what happened between you and Maddie?" Calum asked.

"I fucked up is what happened" I told them as I took a puff of the cigarette. I could really do with something stronger right now.