Where You Belong (Luke Hemmings)

-Chapter Three-

His hand wrapped around hers, I watched my best friend be led outside by my crush. Whether it was jealousy, curiosity or plain stupidity, I follow them out. Once I'm outside, I scan my surroundings. There are a few people scattered on the grass and I head towards the right side of the building.
And that's when I saw them.
They were sitting on a bench, just side by side.
I don't know what compelled me to stay there, but I did.
They just sat there for a few minutes, talking I assume. Then ever so casually, Luke put his arm around the shoulders of my best friend.
Everything in me was telling me to just leave, give them some privacy, stop hurting myself. But it was like my feet were glued to that spot. I couldn't move. So I stood there and watched as Luke caught Aleisha's chin with his fingers and tilted it. My breath hitched as I watched him angle it closer to his. My heart raced as they inched closer until-
"Hey guys! Aleisha!"
They jumped apart and looked around.
Not believing the words that just came out of my mouth, I strode towards them my feet being controlled on their own.
"Hey guys," I breathed as I reached them. They looked at me, both looking flustered. I pretended to be oblivious to what I just witnessed. "Leish we gotta go, or we're gonna end up walking home. And with your attire-" I motioned towards her stilettos "-I doubt you're gonna be up for a 6km walk."
"Oh, yeah sure." She started to get up.
"Um, well I guess I'll see you around school." She looks down at Luke who is still sitting.
"Yeah. See you." He nods at me.
I turn away so they can't see the violent flush in my cheeks. It's awkward for a moment so I grab Aleisha's arm and drag her up the hill.

The walk up is quiet, neither of us quite sure what to say.
I was the first to break the silence.
"So, did I interrupt something?"
The colour rose in her cheeks. "I really like him Em," she whispered.
I bit my lip. I hadn't told anyone, not even my best friend that I liked Luke. That's 10 years that I've kept my secret. I internally fought myself, debating whether or not to finally tell her.
"Leish..."
She looked at me, with a look of hope in her eyes. I could see she really did like him.
I sigh. "I'm really happy for you."
She broke into a grin, and gave me a tight side hug, pretty much breaking my arms.
"I didn't know you two were close."
She furrowed her eyebrows. Aleisha only does that when she's stuck.
"Well, we're not. I mean I haven't spoken to him much, and I guess I've never really noticed him before. But it's been the last couple of weeks that he's started making small talk and at first I kinda brushed it off because I was still into Tyler, but I guess Luke would be the perfect rebound. I mean he's cute, he's so sweet, he's in a band..."
As my best friend spoke I could feel my heart being torn to pieces. Here I was, liking the same boy for ten years and never even got noticed by him, and my best friend only likes him to get over her stupid ex and he's totally into her. It's not that I'm not happy for. Because I am. Completely. I want her to be happy. I just.. Want her to be happy with someone else other than Luke.
Yeah but it's your own fault dumbass. You should have told her years ago. And now it's too late. If you tell her now, she'll only think you're trying to take him away from her.
"... But I deserve to have someone sweet like him."
I snapped out of my thoughts. "Um yeah."
She blinked at me, concern showing on her delicate features. "What's up Em? Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I paused, thinking of an excuse, "just not feeling well. I must have eaten something off."
She looked at me funny, and I thought she didn't believe me.
"Well just don't puke on me."
I chuckled quietly and we walked to the bus stop, which we only just made.

We got home about 11:20pm, and since Aleisha was staying over we decided to get ready for bed. She showered while I changed straight into my black singlet and purple leopard print pyjama shorts. I lay back on my bed, and stared at my cream ceiling.
The image of Luke and Aleisha kept playing over and over in my head. I honestly didn't know what to do. My heart was screaming at me saying that I should just go for Luke. But my head questioned how much my friendship with Aleisha really meant. Was it really worth risking my friendship for a boy? And I'd gone this long without Luke, what's another... However long.
My thoughts were interrupted my the ding of my phone receiving a text. I look down and see it's from Ashton.
I slide my finger across the screen open my messages.

From: Ashton
Hey. Sorry I didn't get to talk to you after the gig. I looked for you but I guess you left. Anywho, I was gonna see a movie with a bunch of friends but they all bailed. You wanna go?

I smile at my screen. Ash is such a sweetheart. Although we've been neighbours for six years, we've never really been that close, you know, for kids the same age that live right next door to each other. It would be nice to get to know Ashton, and it would be a good distraction from my current... Situation.

To: Ashton
Sure, I'd love to :)

Aleisha opens the door, her hair wrapped up in a towel. She shuts the door behind her and looks at me.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Oh nothing. Ashton, you know from next door, wants to go see a movie."
Aleisha's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands in glee.
"Ashton? As in drummer Ashton?"
I nodded, as she sat down on the bed next to my feet.
"He is such a cutie. I can't believe you're finally getting an interest in guys!" If only she knew.
"No Leish, it's not like that. It's just as friends."
"Does he know that?"
"Well, it wasn't exactly established, but he's got no reason to think otherwise."
"Em, you really should start getting out more. Meet some cute guys. I think Ashton would be that perfect introduction to the world of boys."
"It's a movie. It's not that big deal."
But Aleisha wasn't listening to me. "You and Ashton can double date with me and Luke! This is going to be so much fun."
I winced at the thought of watching my crush of ten years hugging and complimenting and kissing and being cute with my best friend.
"Its a movie Leish. It's not like he's proposing. And plus he only asked me because all his friends bailed."
Aleisha obviously could sense that I wasn't in the mood, and she dropped it. For now. I knew I hadn't heard the last of it.