In the Clouds

Ch. 15

After one day in Sydney I already feel like this is the place I belong. No, I don't belong in Australia. I mean Luke. I belong by his side and nowhere else. With him I was a key in it's lock. He makes every second better than the one before. I love him. I'm not one of those people that just throw that word around, I actually mean it. I love him more than those three words can explain because he makes me so happy all the time. With him I've felt feelings I never knew existed.

After we got off the plane each of the boys went to their houses and Luke took me with him. I was so nervous to meet his mother. All I can remember about his mother is that her name is Liz. The only reason I know that is because there were multiple times that Jade would see something on her twitter and say out loud "Liz would not approve of this." I eventually found out that Liz was Luke's mom but I have yet to understand why her approval is so important. I guess I'll never understand a lot of things in that fandom. In the airport I was being dragged by Luke until we were by his mother.

"Mom!" Luke chirped.

"Luke, oh I missed you so much!" his mother greeted. "And who is this beautiful girl you brought along?"

"Oh, that's my girlfriend Lexi," Luke blushed. The words coming out of his mouth sent me into a trance.

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Hemmings, Luke has told me so much about you." I squeaked, feeling Luke smile beside me.

"Oh please, call me Liz," she offered. "Well let's get you two home, I'm sure you guys are tired from that long flight."

Luke and I were sitting in the backseat as the car pulled into his driveway. We took out our suitcases and brought them into the house. Luke's mom told me that I would be sharing Luke's room with him and that made me super excited. I could already imagine him and I cuddled up together at night. They had an average-sized home, with family photos all over the yellow walls. The yellow of sunshine. Luke pet his dog and was talking to her like she could understand him. She was so cute! Molly, they called her. Luke introduced me to his dad and his brothers and they all seemed to like me. Luke went in for a shower when I decided to try to get to know Liz a little bit.

"Hi, Liz. Thanks for letting me stay with you guys. I'm really excited for this vacation," I murmured softly.

"Oh anytime honey. So tell me, how did you and Luke get to know each other?" Liz inquired, smiling in my direction as she started to make lunch.

"Well it all started when my best friend took me with her to a 5SOS concert and meet-and-greet..." I started. I ended up telling her the whole story, not in detail, but I still gave her the summary. It felt good retelling the story. It made me wonder what was coming next. Liz gushed like she was a friend of mine the whole time. I felt like I could trust Liz for some reason, even though I didn't know her that well. I helped her cut some vegetables for a salad until she insisted that I go up to rest, change my clothes, and unpack. I did what she said and went upstairs. I took off my shirt and then realized that I never took out another shirt to change into. I was searching through my bag for a shirt when the door opened. I took the first thing in the bag and covered my torso. It was Luke, in only a towel. He had just finished his shower. He smiled at me as he started to pick out an outfit from his own suitcase to wear. I felt his eyes on me the whole time as I found a shirt and put it on. I was walking out of the door when I felt his hand pulling on mine. He pulled me into the room and shut the door.

"I couldn't let you leave. I'm just so happy you're here with me," Luke chatted as my eyes ran in circles from looking at his wet skin.

"I'm happier," I countered with a grin covering my face.

"No I'm happier," Luke's eyes widened.

"No I am!" I repeated.

"Oh really, well let me show you how happy I am," Luke stated with a grin. He pinned me to the bed and kissed me for what felt like forever. Time stopped as our mouths moved cohesively together. When we got up I left the room sneaking in a "I'm still happier" as I exited.

As I sat in the living room wearing a very mix-matched outfit (due to Luke suddenly entering the room when I was changing) I decided to give Jade a call. I did call my parents while I was in the car but I felt like I wanted to talk to Jade, I already missed her.

"Hey Jade," I spoke.

"Lexi, I miss you already! How was your flight?" Jade asked eagerly. My mind filled with thoughts of Luke and I kissing, cuddling, and listening to his music.

"It was good," I stated. The line was silent for a second. "The airport was big and pretty," I attempted to move the conversation.

"Oh really? Were there a lot of fans waiting for the boys there?" Jade inquired.

"Yeah there were. But you know what was weird? A bunch of them kept thinking that Luke and I had broken up for some reason. Have you heard anything like that on twitter or something?"

"Yeah I did actually, on twitter," Jade confirmed softly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"I thought it wouldn't matter to you," she tensed.

"Doesn't everyone know you're my best friend on there? How come you didn't tell people that we never broke up? I mean, they would believe you."

"Lexi, rumors are spread all the time it's not like I have the power to- wait what do you mean when you say I'm 'known' as your best friend?" Jade boomed.

"Don't make this about me, Jade. Why didn't you tell people that Luke and I never broke up?" I spat, waiting for her response. I felt like I heard her tearing up. "Jade?"

"I'm sorry Lexi, I'm so sorry," she bawled as images from my demon dream entered my mind. "It was me, I started the rumor," she revealed. "I was just so jealous that you got to be in Sydney with them and I've always only imagined what talking to them would be like."

"Jade, I hate it when you do these things!" I raised my voice a little bit in a tone of defeat.

"Lexi, please forgive me I-" Jade started.

"Jade," I cut in. "Just go, I need some time to think. Goodbye," I sent her off as she said her goodbye and we each closed our phones. I sat there in silence until Liz entered the room.

"Lexi, honey, come in to the kitchen to eat something. I made some salad," she kindly suggested.

"Oh no thanks, I don't feel like eating right now." I answered politely.

"You sound upset, what's wrong?" Liz asked as she took a seat beside me.

"I was just on the phone with my best friend and she," I hesitated for a second. "She spread a rumor on twitter saying that Luke and I broke up," I continued.

"That's terrible why would she do that?"

"She's jealous because she's always been such a big fan of 5SOS. She always does this." I admitted.

"What do you mean 'always'?" Liz's eyes widened in concern. I told her about everything Jade has done like hating me after the The Cabin date and following Luke and I to the beach. Liz couldn't believe her ears. "That's horrible. She's just being butt hurt about you getting to talk to the guys and her not getting to."

"I know right? She doesn't even know that I have enough on my shoulders with Luke being famous and everything." I added.

"I thought you would like the fame? It isn't fun for you?" Liz asked.

"No, I wish Luke and I could go anywhere without a thousand fans following him. Gosh, our first kiss flooded the internet," I remembered.

"Yeah I saw that, it was like backstage right?" Liz smirked jokingly.

"See? That should be private!" I laughed with her. "I hate twitter!" I laughed again. "So should I forgive Jade or not?" I asked her.

"Honey it's not a simple yes or no question. When the time comes to forgive her or not you'll know. For now enjoy your vacation. Well, enjoy your lunch first." she smiled and then led me into the kitchen. I tried to get the thoughts of Luke's fame and Jade's betrayal out of mind but I couldn't.

I was eating my plate of salad when Luke came in and gave me a peck on my forehead. "Jet lagged?" he asked.

"Yeah a little," I smiled. And with that peck my mind flew into the clouds like a bird flies into the sky.