arduous || l.r.h.

pt. 8

"So where do you, um, wanna eat?" Luke scratched his chin as the two drove through the city. 

"I'm fine with anywhere, really." Camila nodded as she chewed on her nails anxiously. 

"Nandos?" He half smiled. The corners of her mouth perked up and she nodded slowly. 

"Sure." She shrugged.

He nodded and turned down a few more streets, leading them to Nandos. They quickly got out of the car and walked in, seeing the store wasn't as full as expected. They reached the counter, where the young hopeless teen stood with the face of a smacked behind. 

"Hey, um, I'll just get the, ugh-" Luke frowned but was cut off when Camila butt in.

"We'll just have two of the regular burger meals." She nodded and turned to him with a small smile, reaching into her pocket to get money. Luke stopped her and shook his head.

"I'll pay," he nodded slowly, "y'know, to be nice and all."

"Okay." She smiled softly and they stared at each other with small smiles, awkwardly. 

"Ugh," The teen spoke up, "you're kinda starting a line."

"Oh, um," Luke shook his head and handed the teen the money, "here."

The teen frowned at him and handed him a number for their table, where the two walked over to sit. 

"Thanks for paying." Camila mumbled as she slid into her seat.

"No problem." Luke nodded and pulled out his phone. "Hey, um, how'd you know what I'd want?"

"Remember when our mum's took us here every Thursday?" She asked and he nodded, "I still remember what you ordered."

"Oh, cool." He nodded awkwardly as she picked at the table. In all honesty, Luke didn't know what Camila would have wanted. He would have gotten her the cheapest thing on the menu. He was never as considerate as her, and that's another reason he hated her.

He glanced up at her as she glanced out the window. Her rosy cheeks glistened in the small radiance of light shining through the glass. He watched carefully as she tucked her hair behind her ear, leaning down to pick at the table again. Although he had a high abundance of hate towards the girl who sat in front of him, he felt his stomach churn at the sight of her. He began to glance off into the distance, trying to get her face out of his head. 

"Luke?" She waved her hand in his face, making his head shoot towards her direction. "Your food is already here."

"Oh," He mumbled, picking up the food, "Ok."

Letting out a stifled chuckle, Camila picked up her food as well. Luke shot up to glare at her, making her smile fade away.

"What's wrong?" He frowned.

"I was being rude." She shook her head, "Sorry."

"No you weren't." He huffed. "I'm just being a dick." 

"No you're not." She shook her head, making him huff.

"Jesus, let me just feel guilty for you for once." He hissed, putting his food down.

"Okay, now you're being a dick."

"Well," He glared at her angrily, his face softening at her innocent expression, "I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened in confusion, nodding slowly at him and looking away to continue to eat.

Luke offered for Camila to come back to their apartment, so she sat with him awkwardly on the couch as Calum offered to cook them something else to eat. 

"So what do you Camila?" Calum asked, walking into the living area, followed by Ashton and Michael who sat down on the other couch. Ashton's eyes scanned her up and down, making Luke shift uncomfortably. He didn't know what had overcome him, but he felt the strong urge to sit closer to her.

"I, um," Camila began, but stopped as she glanced at Luke and frowned, "I work for a house designing company. I get a really good income, seems as all my mum used to work there as well. She gained a lot of money as well."

"That's really cool." Michael nodded, glaring at Luke. Luke knew exactly that Michael was referring to Camila's boyfriend's comment on how much money her mum has. 

"Um, we should get going." Luke nodded, standing up and grabbing Camila's hand. She glanced at their linked hands and frowned. 

"We only just got here."

"You wanna see your mum don't you?" Luke asked and she nodded. The two headed out of the apartment and towards the parking lot. Luke tugged her along quickly, her feet padding along the floor.

"Why are you walking so fast?" She asked, making him stop and let out a huge sigh.

"You have to break up with Simon." He spat.

"W-what?" She frowned. "I'm lucky he didn't break up with me!"

"Camila, just hear me out." He huffed. 

"No!" She spat, "You hear me out! If you and your dick attitude didn't come back into my life, I wouldn't have this problem of a really shitty relationship!"

"You're the one who practically let me back in!" He yelled.

"Because I thought you were different!" She yelled over the top of him, making him stop and stare at her softly. "I thought you were different." She sniffled.

"Cam-"

"I have no friends. All I have is Simon!" She whimpered. "You made everyone hate me! It would have been nice if we were friends! If you were there for me! I need Simon!"

"He called you a slut!" Luke yelled over the top of her, "And he's only with you because your mum has money!"

"Stop lying." She sniffed, rubbing stray tears falling down her cheeks away. "You're just trying to make me more upset, like the asshole you are!"

"I'm really not." He shook his head, taking a step towards her. "I wouldn't do that."

"Then how come you've done it so many times before?" She mumbled, glancing up at him, her eyes becoming red.

"I wouldn't do it again, I was so rude." He shook his head.

"Why are you suddenly acting like this towards me, is it some joke?" She pushed at his chest, his arms reaching up and grabbing her hands. "It's not funny! My mum is dying or christ sake!"

She shook her arms vigorously in his grip, crying softly. He huffed, letting go of her and pulling her into his arms for a strong embrace. Unable to fight him off, she resulted in softly crying on his chest. 

"Please, Cam." He whispered, making her squeeze her eyes shut, thinking of the night of the party. "I swear I'm not lying."

"I think," She breathed deeply, pulling away and staring up at him. "I believe you."

"Good." he sighed in relief. "That means I can do this."

She frowned, stopping as Luke pressed his palms against her cheeks and smashed his lips onto hers passionately. Standing frozen in her position, she began to kiss him back, tangling her fingers through his hair. He pushed her against his car, making a small gasp leave her mouth. Pulling away, she looked up at him with full vulnerability, making him take a step back, his hands still on her cheeks.

"Why'd you do that?" She asked softly, touching her lips. 

"I'm trying to be different." He said softly, heading for his door. "Now get it in. You need to see your mum. But first, I'll help you kick Simon out."

A small smile spread across her face as she jumped into the car. 

Luke becoming a better person was becoming let arduous.