Trust Me

April

Meghan gives me a lift home from the hospital and in the car ride she fills me in on all the gossip and happenings of the last two months. It's so nice to be able to laugh and joke around with her again. There was I time when I thought that would never happen again.

When we get to my house, we are greeted by both my parents and we all spend the afternoon together, making lunch, cracking jokes and basically talking about life. But the whole time, I feel a knot in my stomach... Anticipation. When the sun starts to set and my parents have left, Meghan agrees to stay and help me clean up. Now or never.

"Megs?" I ask for her attention nonchalantly. We are standing in the kitchen again. Why does the kitchen always feel like the center of tension?

"April?" she responds with a slight suspicion in her voice.

"I was wondering.." I begin but soon my thoughts are muddled again. Should I?

After my hesitation I just stop altogether.

"Spit it out!" Meghan laughs, her eyebrow raised.

"Well... I just wanted to know..." I take a small breath and let the words enter the room around us, "Do you think Luke still lives in the same place? I mean, from when you knew him?"

I've broken eye contact but I feel her eyes on me. The smirk on her face is anything but disguised.

"I believe so. Why?"

"Could I... Maybe... Get his address from you?" The heat rises to my cheeks and a smile starts to stretch across my lips.

She laughs an evil little laugh and nudges me with her foot.

"19 Abbott road." She winks at me when my eyes shoot up.

"But that's..."

"Literally on the other side of the hill, I know." She's laughing at me now.

I bury my face in my hands and start to laugh too.

"Oh my gosh." Comes my muffled voice.

"Go!" She says between giggles.

"Now?" I ask, looking at her now.

"Now. Go. We were just about done here anyway, I'll finish up. Take my car."

In my speechless state I grab her car keys and pull her into a bear hug.

"Thank you!"

She's still laughing when I run out and close the door behind me.

Please be home.

PLEASE be home.

I've driven past Abbott road so many times. I still can't believe he lives there!

It's hardly a 10 minute drive and then I'm parked outside a blue-walled house, staring at the number 19 on the door.

I climb out and walk up the pathway. I can hear voices inside. I don't recognise them. Damn. 

Stop doubting, April. If it's not his house then just ask if they know him. Breathe.

I take a deep breath and knock loudly on the dark wood.

The voices inside lower their volume and I can hear heavy footsteps walking towards the door. Or maybe that's just my heart.

The door opens to reveal a tall, blonde guy. He looks to be about the same age as Luke. A strange look crosses his face after he takes in my appearance. But he doesn't say anything.

"Jason?! Who is it?"

Then I realise we've actually been standing there for an awkward amount of time. Me, speechless. Him... I don't even know what he's thinking.

"Uh..." I start, "I'm sorry to bother. Does Luke stay here?"

Then the voices inside stop completely. 

Jason's body stiffens and his eyes widen.

"Luke!" he calls without taking his eyes off me.

"Thanks." I say softly as I see a shadowed figure come up behind Jason.

Jason turns and whispers something to Luke before disappearing back inside the house. The voices are still silent.

Luke steps outside without looking up and closes the door.

He shuts his eyes for a small moment and then looks at me.

I stop breathing. My heart pounds in my ears. My palms are all sweaty. I have to beg my knees not to cave in.

But fake it till you make it, right? I look up at him. His eyes so familiar, but there's something else in them now. A certain fear. His hair slightly longer than I remember but still reminds me of melted chocolate. His body still warm and welcoming, despite the change in his clear eyes.

We stand there for a few minutes. All the tension seeps away as we just look at each other. A silent conversation. Then I take a step forward, somehow bridging the gap, and when I speak, my voice is strong and sincere. I mean what I say and he knows it.

"I trust you."