She's Kinda Hot tho

Chapter 41:Gotta Get Out

LUKE'S POV:

I thought I had been getting over her this whole time. Realistically... I was only lying to myself. I sighed heavily, shoulders sagging. I realized then that it wasn't the mahogany hair that shone in the sun, it wasn't her pale clear skin, it wasn't her perfect white smile and it wasn't even her café colored eyes.

It wasn't her good looks at all. It was her heart that I was in love with. The same heart that skipped a beat the first time I'd met her on the stairwell. The same heart that panicked when she cried and panicked all the same when she told me she loved me. The same beating heart that so many times beat for me. I was in love with that. I was in love with her.

I pushed myself from my bed slowly, feeling my head whoosh and my stomach still complaining. I stepped out of my clothes, grabbed a towel and got into the shower to wash away my mistakes. I wished I could wash away the memories of last night along with the marker ink. The hot water scorched my skin and the steam filled my head.

why was I so stupid? I wondered, shaking my head. I sank to a sitting position and watched as the water cleansed my skin. The hues of orange, red, blue, green and purple melded together at the drain to make a nasty brown color.

The tainted water slipped through the drain and a tear, indistinguishable amongst the shower water, escaped as well. I felt as though I was completely beyond fixing everything. I'd been ignoring my friends for longer than I ever had before. I'd gone and had sex with another girl when I was strictly interested in Sheila. I'd cut my mum off again. I rested my forehead on my knees. Get it together Luke. For Sheila.

I squeaked off the water and dried my hair and body and slid on some nice clothes for a change. I looked at my phone and dialed Ashton's number. It rang a few times before he finally got around to answering.

"Ello." His grinning voice said.

"Hey, mate." I felt my own smile lift, the boys always made me feel better.

"What happened to you last night?"

My smile vanished. "Oh uhm.. let's talk about it over some pizza? I had an idea." I cleared my throat.

"Yeah sure, i'll call the other guys." Ashton answered, sounding curious but he didn't press. He was good at the mature thing when he needed to be.

"Sweet, meet me at the diner in 15."

I walked down the steps and saw my mum lounging on the couch. I walked up behind her and leaned down to wrap my arms around her shoulders. "I love you mum." I whispered, kissing her head and letting go.

"I love you too." She mumured, not turning away from her book. I headed towards the door when her words stopped me. "I still fret over you." She admitted softly.

"No need mum, I can handle myself." I said, clenching my jaw.

"Your father loves you, you know?"

"What?" I turned, eyebrows knitted together. She never talks about dad.

"He's always loved you, you and Jack both. Don't ever think otherwise."

I shook my head to clear the confusion. Then I turned and as if were on a cloud, drifted outside and onto the sidewalk making my way to the diner.

Shit. Was the first thing that popped into my mind as I approached the diner. Somehow it had slipped my mind that crazy little Emma worked here and there was a possibility I'd run into her. I groaned loudly, trying not to throw a temper tantrum. I turned to walk away.... maybe the guys will agree to meet somewhere else...

But then I heard the pounding and turned around to see them already inside, Calum was banging on the glass to get my attention and Mikey was licking it just to be weird. I rolled my eyes inwardly and with false courage, walked in to greet them.

I slid into the booth next to Calum and scanned the restaurant. No sign of Emma. I relaxed a little and perked up a bit. "Mikey, you shouldn't lick windows... who knows what's on them." I smirked.

"Whatever." He chuckled, making a castle out of sugar packets.

"Jesus, how old are you?" Calum grinned.

"5." Mikey answered, then cursed as it all came crashing down.

"So what happened last night?" Calum pressured. I clenched my jaw. To tell or not to tell?
Ashton rose his eyebrows at me. Crap... looks like i'm telling.

"Well you see.. "

Then in the midst of hell a little bird like voice said. "You were so hot last night... thanks for coming to the party."

We all looked up to see Emma standing next to our table. "hi." I coughed.

"Hi." She narrowed her eyes. "You left pretty early this morning... was kind of hoping you'd go for a round two."

The combination of her smirk and snake like gaze signaled she was trying to drop the bomb before I had the chance. "You're being unprofessional." I scoffed, face reddening. I knew the boys were gazing at me with their mouths hanging open like idiots.

She leaned towards me, lips inches from my ear. "You like it when I'm unprofessional." She whispered hotly. I slammed my menu on the table causing her to jump back.

"IT'S GETTING AWFUL HOT IN HERE DONT YOU THINK?" I shouted, fanning myself with my menu. Her face had paled, clearly afraid because she couldn't predict me. "WOULD YOU PLEASE GO GET US WATER?" I yelled so everyone could here. She glanced around nervously at the people staring.

She cleared her throat. "Of course, i'll be right out." She smiled acidly.

"What the hell just happened?" Mikey whispered. I shook my head.

"This isn't a good idea." I muttered. "I'm sorry guys but we have to talk about this somewhere else." I groaned, rising from the booth.

"Wherever you want, your majesty." The cruelty in Ashton's voice made me flinch. "But when we get there, you're telling us exactly what happened."