The Silent ~ l.h

10//Comforting

'Worried' would be a distinct underestimation of how I was right now. I was pretty much scared out of my mind.

Where was he? Was he okay? Was he in trouble? Why did he leave? What happened?

All these thoughts were rushing through my mind while I picked up the bags of candy and left the top floor of the mall. Calum's words comforted me only slightly.

When I first saw Luke, I'd had no idea that there was this much hidden inside this one individual. Sure, he looked human (human, but inhumanly attractive). But there was just something about him, that just drew me towards him. His personality, his character, his mixed-emotional backstory... It was all part and parcel of Luke Hemmings, a boy I was still trying desperately to decipher.

I walked out of the mall, the sudden change from the air-conditioned atmosphere to the loud, and fuzzy one outside jarred me back to reality from my daydreaming about Luke.

My phone buzzed, alerting me that is gotten a text. It was from Luke.

: Can you please come and pick me up? I don't know where I am. There's this big forest and some bridge in front of me. I don't know where to go. :

I cursed under my breath and understood which place he was talking about. Angie sometimes disappeared into the forest. I once went looking for her in there and spent hours trying to find her. When I finally emerged from the forest, she was standing right there, but she refused to tell me where she'd gone in the forest.

I hoped against hope that Luke hadn't decided to go inside the forest. No, Luke wouldn't be that naïve.

I knew I wouldn't be able to walk till there. I needed a car, or somebody to drive me there. But if I remembered correctly, Rose took the car today.

I scrolled through my contacts till I found the right one. I knew for a fact that Cooper in the arcade, just corner's turn away from the mall.

"Bee! What's up?"

"Coop, I really, really need you to drive me somewhere right now. You're at the arcade, right?"

"Yeah, but what's wrong? You sound really worried."

"That's an understatement. Just, I'm at the mall, do you think you could pick me up? Please?"

"'Course, I'll be there in a few minutes."

I hung up. After waiting for a few minutes while chewing my already non-existent nails, Cooper's car pulled in front of me. He opened the passenger side door with one hand while his other hand was on the steering wheel, loudly sounding the horn.

"Get in!" He yelled over the honking.

I rushed inside and shut the door, strapping the seatbelt over myself and click on it in place. God knows I needed it, or I'd fracture every bone in my body within the first five seconds. I directed him as to where to go.

Cooper drove like a maniac. At other times, I used to just put my head down and silently pray that he wouldn't kill us. This time, I only encouraged him.

Once we reached the place, I shot out of the car and looked around. I spotted Luke sitting on the sidewalk, his head between his knees. His quiff was all messed up and turned in different directions.

I was about yell for him when I realised he wouldn't hear me. Stupid me.

I rushed at him and enveloped him in a hug. I was worried sick.

He lifted his head up in surprise, and tentatively smiled when he saw who it was.

'How are you feeling?' I asked him.

He just shook his head.

'I'm so sorry,' he signed.

I didn't know what he was sorry about. Him breaking down? Running away from me? Calling me to help? The kiss?

Hopefully it wasn't for the last reason. And even the first few reasons didn't require an apology. At all. I was just so relieved that he was safe.

Cooper walked up to us, his eyes visibly widening at the sight. I couldn't blame him.

He was about to open his mouth to direct a question at Luke when I silenced him with a look, as he remembered that Luke was mute.

Silently, he helped Luke up, and together, the three of us walked towards the car.

I felt like someone was staring at me, and I was right. I glanced at Luke from the corner of my eye, and he was already looking at me. He just gave me a wistful smile, and I returned it.

As we got into the car, I decided to get into the backseat with Luke, not wanting him to be alone.

Cooper didn't say anything, but he have a look that said, 'You will tell me everything later.' I just nodded in response to him.

Once Cooper started the car, I looked over to see that Luke was freezing. His teeth were actually chattering. But it wasn't even that cold.

"Cooper, could you turn on the heater?" I asked him, praying that he'd fixed it.

"Sorry, it's broken. I still need to get I repaired."

I rolled my eyes at his response. Typical Cooper.

Deciding that Luke seriously needed to get warm, I scooted closer to him. He held his arms out, and I hugged him, trying to get as warm as I could. He was freezing cold, like I mentioned.

Him being taller, he rested his head on top of mine, as both still held each other.

I felt completely safe and comfortable in his arms, and I didn't want this moment to end. He sighed contentedly. His presence alone was both comforting, yet at the same time drove me crazy and made my mind numb with a feeling I couldn't describe.

I rubbed circles with my finger on his back comfortingly. I don't know when I fell asleep, but I was probably exhausted from the events of the day, and it was really late.

As my mind drifted to darkness, I felt someone kiss the top of my head and covered me with my jacket, still holding me tightly in their arms.