She's Kinda Hot tho

Chapter 11:New Me

LUKE'S POV:

I can't live here anymore. Was my last thought before I grabbed a jacket and headed out the front door. It was 8am and the crisp morning wind stirred my hair across my forehead. The library would be open by the time I got there.

I put in some headphones and shoved my hands in my pockets. Imagine Dragons "Dream" was really good. But it made me nostalgic. I gazed around my child hood neighborhood with a sense of sadness. Everything looked the same but I'd changed so much...

"Luke is that you?" I heard a voice yelled. I looked around quickly to see Mrs. Fauver sitting on her front porch. Wow she's gotten old. I pulled my headphones out and stopped in front of her white picket fence.

"Hi Mrs. Fauver." I grinned. This lady had drove me to school every time my mum had to go to work early. She babysat when my mum had come home late from work. Her husband taught me to drive even.

"Oh my, come here boy." She rose from her rocking chair and i realized then just how old she'd gotten. Her arms were thin and veiny, her legs unsteady as she slowly walked towards me. I quickly opened her gate and she wrapped me in a hug.

She smelled of baby powder and hairspray.

"You've gotten so big!" She smiled bright.

"Yeah." I smiled back. "Where's Mr. Fauver?" I asked, glancing over her shoulder.

"Oh dear, he passed away four months ago." She said sadly. My heart lurched. It feels like i've been gone forever...

"I'm sorry to hear that." I mumbled, hugging her tightly.

"It's alright boy." She said heartily. "No get on with whatever you were doing and stay out of trouble." She winked.

"Always." I said before slipping back onto the street. My brain was a swirling mess of thoughts by the time i'd made it to the library. I sat down at one of the computers and thumbed away, 'apartments for rent'.

Multiple results appeared. I scrolled down, writing down phone numbers. I needed to move out. Sheila... Mum... Gus... it was all too much and I simply wasn't strong enough.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

CALL FROM MUM

"Hello?" I whispered.

"Luke where are you?" My mum screamed into the phone.

"I'm at the library. Jesus mum i'm 19 years old." I whispered harshly, getting a few weird looks.

"I thought you ran away." She muttered. I wish. I thought, rolling my eyes.

"Well can you come home? Gus and I have some very important news." I could hear her happiness through the phone.

"Lemme guess, you're having a baby." I joked darkly. There was a pause on the other end.

"Lucas." She said firmly.

"I know i know. Not funny. I'll be back in 15." I said, then hung up the phone. Moments later, i opened the front door and everyone was sitting around the table: Intervention style.

"Luke please take a seat." Gus asked. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Luke please." Mum begged. I intentionally looked him dead in the eyes as if to say 'you don't control me' and took a seat next to Sheila.

"So we're going to have a medium-sized wedding." Mum began. I let out a sigh of relief, this wasn't about Sheila and I. Even still though, Gus was flashing looks between the two of us as if waiting for us to strip down and do the dirty on the table right in front of them.

I scowled at him and he looked away quickly. "Sheila would you mind being one of my bridesmaids?" Mum asked, looking excited.

"Oh of course!" Sheila blushed beautifully.

"And Luke." Gus began, looking as uncomfortable as I felt. "I would like you to be one of my grooms."

"Uhmmm.." I glanced at my mum, knowing she did this. "Uhmmm." I continued to stahl. "sure." I muttered, staring at my hands.

"Great." He said dryly.

"And the wedding is..... tommorow!" They said at the same time. Creepy. Wait what?

"Tomorow?" Sheila said, her perfect eyebrows knitting together. "Are you guys even ready?" she questioned.

"Yep, everyone was so onboard that we got R.S.V.P's right away." They smiled at each other, holding hands. i could practically hear Sheila grinding her teeth. So much for over-supportive daughter. She folded her arms and looked away.

"Do you have like the dress, mum?" I asked and she nodded. "You're grandma's!"

"That's the dress you married Dad in." I growled, taking everyone by surprise.

"That's... not... important or relevant anymore Luke." Mum flinched.

"Oh really ? So he's not relevant? So when this whole fake little life you're setting up and expecting me to live becomes too much and I leave, will i no longer be important? YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE HIM!" I shouted, standing up so quickly i knocked the chair over.

I could feel my face heating as i stomped up the stairs and slammed my door. Gus would never be my dad.