Loving Luke | muke [c]

Eighteen

I had always been a people pleaser. Wether it was letting Luke choose the games we would play on a Saturday afternoon, or telling someone it was okay that they lost my favourite colouring pencil when, really, it wasn't. I was always the student that volunteered to do things and always put my hand up to give an answer. I was the kid that got asked if they could sit behind the table at the bake sale for the next four hours under the burning sun and unbearable heat because they knew I would say yes and do it with a smile on my face. I was the type of person that radiated kindness, empathy and support. I was that one person that everyone would turn and say, "Gosh Michael, you're such a good friend. I hope we can be friends for a long time." Or "Michael, you are such a good person, God bless you."

Modesty aside, I was a good person. I worked hard on myself to be a good person. To be that friend everyone appreciated, the son parents would be proud of and the student my school would use as an example to be followed. I had always done kindness for the sake of kindness and never asked for anything in return. Sitting on my living room couch, watching Luke cry as he looked through pictures of Ale, my caring side was kicking in on full blast. He had his lower lip between his teeth, holding it as it quivered and tears rolled down his cheeks. I couldn't bear to even look at it anymore. My heart was aching and every cell in my body was telling me I needed to do something about it now. My nature was to please people and I was running out of ways to please Luke. 

"I have to go." I sighed, standing up from the couch and looking away. I could feel Luke's eyes on me, sniffles making me stop dead in my tracks.

"You're not going to be home late, are you?" He asked, wiping away his tears as I turned around to look at him. It was the worst thing for me to see my usually strong best friend sitting like that, just a small fragile resemblance of who he used to be. 

"No," I shook my head with a small frown. "Usual time, why?"

"Nothing," He looked back down at the pictures, closing the book with a slam as he took in a sharp breath. "I should really get started on those online classes, shouldn't I?" I knew Luke wasn't waiting for my response, and just like he had expected from me, he got silence. He nodded, closing his eyes as he rubbed his temples. "Alright, I'll go do that. I'll see you later."

I smiled softly, not being able to contain myself as I walked back over to the blond and gave him a kiss on the forehead. As I walked out of the house, I could hear Luke sigh heavily before the door slammed shut and I was no longer aware of anything Luke related. I got into the car, driving slowly down to campus as the sound of Metallica filled the car. Nothing Else Matters blared through the speakers, stopping only once I parked the car and switched the engine off. For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to get out, to head into a seminar that really meant nothing to me at that exact moment. My mind was all over Luke, like it used to be five years ago.

Shaking my head, I pulled out of my parking spot, knowing exactly where I had to go. Knowing my friends well enough, I knew they'd be at home at the moment. The drive was quick; thankfully my old apartment complex was only a few minutes away from the UWA campus and I was pushing myself out of the car before I knew it. It felt odd being in that building again, knowing that a half hour drive away, a blond waited for me with loving arms and tender kisses. The feeling of freedom when walking down the corridor to my old front door was amazing, but the feeling of coming home to Luke was a million times better. Luke had always been the only person I'd want to come home too, and up until that moment, nothing had changed.

I pulled the spare key from under the mat, opening the door like that was still my apartment. If I hadn't lived for the past five years with Ashton and Calum, that moment would have gone straight into the list of most embarrassing moments of my life. Walking in to find your friend naked on all fours on your old couch and his soulmate kneeling behind him while thrusting into him quickly was not exactly the most heartfelt welcome I had expected. But it wouldn't be Ashton and Calum if I hadn't gotten the full blown grand entrance.