New Beginnings || l.h

•four•

"Dad seriously?" I roll my eyes. "It's only been two weeks and you're already going on a business trip?"

My dads face has a pained expression. "Raven, I know this is hard. But I need to get money." He says.

I turn away from him. "I understand dad, it's just..ugh never mind. How long will you be gone for?" I ask.

He rubs the back of his neck. "Well..ah, ya see.."

"Just tell me dad. It's nothing I'm not used to"

He doesn't respond for a while.

"A month."

I laugh harshly. "See. It's not that long"

It actually is. He's the only family I have left.

"I leave tonight" he says sadly. "I hope you can stay by yourself here..." He trails off.

"I'm not so sure if I can..." I say. "I'll just stay at one of my friends houses."

He nods. "Well, I'm going to start packing."

I nod. "Go ahead. Ill be down here."

He smiles weakly and walks up the stairs.

-

Over the past two weeks, Luke and I have gotten to be best friends.

I mean don't get me wrong, the other boys are great, it's just Luke is always looking out for me, and is constantly by my side.

So after my dad went upstairs, I dialed Luke's number.

"Hey" his voice was raspy, almost like he just woke up.

...oh wait. He probably did. It's only nine in the morning...

"Oh I'm sorry!" I say. "Did I wake you?"

He chuckles deeply. "Yes. But your voice is worth waking up for."

There he goes with all that sappy shit.

"Luke" I laugh. "Anyway, I need to ask you a favor."

"Okay." He says.

"Well...my dad's going on a business trip for a month...and I don't think it's the best idea for me being alone.."

"You can stay here." He says. "But may I Ask...why don't you think it's the best idea for you being alone?"

I debate on giving him the truth.

"Uh Raven?" He asks. "You don't have to tell me."

I nod. "Yeah. Telling you might not be the best idea."

He's silent on the other end of the phone.

"Okay" he softly says. "Come over at any time."

"Thank you." I say, and hang up.

-

That night, my dad leaves for his trip.

I grab some outfits for the week, and then I plan on coming back for more.

I grabbed my makeup bag in my room, and my phone charger, and I finally head out of my house to go to Luke's.

Luke lives down my street, at the end of the manor.