All About You / Luke Hemmings

Twenty Six: Interesting

AILAINA

After we ate breakfast, Luke and I walked to the park a few blocks down to watch the snow fall and families bond.

The snow was light, wind was peaceful, and the company was perfect. Looking at Luke, I wouldn't have guessed he was the guy I disliked most a few weeks back. Now he's here - we're here - enjoying each other's presence by the man made pond in such a comfortable silence. It made my heart warm and stomach butterflies flutter knowing that I'm the reason behind his smile. He has changed so much - for the better I should add.

"I'm starting to get cold," he says. He looks at me and huffs just to watch the smoke come out his mouth and float away into the sky.

"Let's go back?"

Luke nods in agreement, taking my hand as we begin walking. He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand and I can't help but to smile at myself.

"What's with the smile?" he asks.

"Nothing," I say.

"No, come on, tell me."

"You're going to laugh at me."

"Doubt it. Just tell me!" he whines while gently nudging me with his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it." I stare at our feet while walking, still smiling.

"Just tell me. No secrets, remember?"

"Fine," I groan. "You're going to laugh at me, though."

Luke just raised his eyebrows and have a small side smirk in response.

"I'm-" I begin, followed with a sigh. "I'm just feeling content right now."

A small chuckle escapes from Luke's lips.

"See, I told you!"

"No, no!" he laughs and wraps his arm around me. "That's just how I feel all the time when I'm with you."

I feel my cheeks beginning to burn. I wrap both my arms around his body. "Since when did you become such a cheese ball? When I first met you, you were some type of bad boy who didn't give a care about anyone in the world including himself."

"Well when you first met me you thought you hated me, but I guess you realized two things, huh?"

"Oh my god," I laugh and playfully slap him.

We reach the entrance of the park where the path meets with the sidewalk parallel to the residential road. On the way out, Luke and I pass two guys who were leaning against a light post, sharing a cigarette.

I hold in my breath and begin to cough once distance grew between us. "Did you smell that?"

"Yeah, I miss that smell," Luke says.

I push myself off of Luke. "You don't mean that."

"You should try it with me sometime," he says, not making any eye contact with me.

"Luke, you're almost two months clean."

"I have an emergency box hidden in my  room," he interrupts, completely ignoring what I had just said.

I shake my head at him. A large grin plasters across his face as he sees my reaction. "I'm just joking, Lains," he laughs as he tries to hold my hand.

Irritated, I retract from the gesture. "You shouldn't joke about that." My paces quickens.

I can't believe he would even say that. Yeah, he said he's joking, but either way. He's made it so far, I wouldn't want him getting back into the habit. He knows how I feel about him smoking and how I physically can not take it.

"Come on, Ailaina, you're not really mad at me are you?"

He receives no form of response. My phone vibrates from my pocket and I take it out to see who it is. Mom.

Mom: Calum told me something very interesting

Me: Did he?

"Ailaina!" Luke runs up next to me and holds my hand. "Please, I was just kidding. Please don't be mad at me. Please."

My eyes don't leave my phone screen.

Mom: Are you or are you not dating Luke Hemmings?

My stomach immediately drops and my heartbeat races. Calum must've told her. He's the only one who knows.

Me: Mom, he's not who you think

Mom: I can't let you do this to yourself

Mom: You are a beautiful, smart girl who is going to go great places in life

Mom: I cannot let you allow him to hold you back

Mom: You are to tell him you can't see him anymore

Mom: I'm coming home now

At this point, tears begin to fill my eyes.

"Ailaina, what's wrong?" Luke grabs both of my shoulders, stopping me in my tracks. He moves his hands to cup both sides of my face. "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean what I said. I'm sorry I was joking about that, I shouldn't have. I know how you feel about it. I made it so far and I don't plan on turning back."

I shake my head telling him that it wasn't what he said that has gotten me feeling that way. I look up at him, worry plastered across his face. A tear escapes my eye and rolls down my face and onto his hand.

Luke wipes the tear away with his thumb as I sniffle and shove my phone back into my back pocket.

"What's wrong?"

"I have to get home. You should, too." I say weakly.

"You're not mad at me, are you?"

"No, I'm not mad. But you should really go. My mom's coming home a day early."

Luke straightens himself then pulls me into a hug. I wrap my arms around him tightly, trying to take in as much as I can for that will be the last time I see him.

I wish I could say no to my mom, but I can't. We've grown such a strong bond, I can't just go against her word. Don't ask, that's just how we work. Sometimes - in this case - it really fucking sucks.

"My phone's dead right now, but I'll text you once it turns on," he says and rests his chin on my head.

Another tear escapes followed by another. I sniffle to prevent my nose from dripping. I feel like my heart just got torn in two. Once I finally find someone who makes me happy, my mom forbids me to see him. Isn't this perfect?

Luke breaks from the hug and gives me a quick kiss before wiping the tears from my face again.

"Get home soon. You wouldn't want your mom getting mad, now."

I pull in Luke for one last hug and give him another kiss before parting ways.