caught | l.h au

e l e v e n

"Hey, I'm sorry I'm late." Victoria said with an apologetic look as she sat in the seat opposite of Luke. Luke flashed a small grin and shook his head.

"No no, it's alright. I just got here, actually."

Victoria raised an eyebrow while eyeing the half empty mug of coffee on the table. "Is that yours?"

Luke quickly shook his head, denying the obvious truth. Victoria had seen him sipping on the coffee earlier before she had come in the 24-hour deli and mentally scolded herself for taking too long.

"No," Luke briefly said while he fiddled with his fingers, an act he's accustomed to when lying.

"You know, my mom told me a couple of things about body language. When someone's fidgeting, they're lying." Victoria paused then leaned forward slightly, narrowing her eyes in a playful manner. "You're obviously lying, Hemmings. I even see sweat running down your neck and it's chilly."

Unconsciously, Luke's hand made its way to his neck as he dab his fingers on his skin for moisture. But there wasn't any. Victoria saw this as she emitted a rather loud chuckle. "You're so gullible, it's funny."

"No, I just let my guard down and that's when you decided to fool me. That was such a wicked move, Quinn."

Victoria shook her head and grabbed Luke's mug of coffee, which he didn't stop her and only made her silently cheer because she had won the playful banter, and gulped down the contents before standing up. She glanced at her watch slightly and nodded. "We should get going."

"Now?" Luke looked at the time on his phone. It was already eight minutes past two, which meant that he had been there for about an hour. It surprised him how quickly time flew, especially since he had done absolutely nothing for seventy percent of the time he was there at the deli.

"Yeah. Should we go with your car or-?" Victoria asked to be cut off by Luke.

"Sure but you'll have to guide me. I haven't been here long enough to know how to get to places."

"Oh, that's fine. I've been there a couple of times."

"You like going to parties?" Luke queried as he started to make his way out with Victoria tailing behind him.

Victoria scoffed and shook her head, "No."

"Then why were you there before? Is the host your boyfriend?" This time, Luke turned around and started walking backwards to which Victoria laughed softly as he gave her a suggestive look.

Victoria rolled her eyes playfully and pointed out, "Little girl behind you-" to which Luke turned around and walked by her side instead.

"Are you even listening to what you're saying? I most definitely do not have a boyfriend."

"Why not?"

"I think we've established the fact that if you like underrated bands, you're considered a freak."

Luke snorted. "You're lying." And she really was.

Earlier that week, Luke had caught a glance of Victoria opening her locker and numerous cards were piling out. He had seen plenty with heart shapes and about ninety percent were red or pink. He doubted that music preferences would affect the thirsty boys in their school. They'd do anything to get pretty girls like her to fall head over heels for them. And such desperation makes Luke gag.

"Not entirely false though." She grinned sheepishly.

"But you're outgoing and fun," Luke stated. "And let's be honest, you're not plastic at all. You're so down-to-earth and your perseverance is stunning."