Bring Me Back (L.R.H)

~3~

/ALY/
It was nearly 10:30 p.m, Luke and I were walking along the beach. We had left The Dice, I'm sure Crystal was beyond happy I was no longer in her presence.
"So Aly Cohen. What had you wandering the streets alone tonight?" Luke suddenly asked, bending down to pick up a rock and toss it into the calm waters.
I didn't really want to give Luke the real reason.
My alcoholic mother and her boyfriend abuse me.
I'm tired of dealing with anxiety and depression.
Sometimes I feel so worthless, pathetic, and alone, that if I died noting would change.
I am ready to die.
In all honesty though, I felt like I could tell Luke anything. I trust him. He seems like a genuinely great person. His soul seems so beautiful and fascinating. Just like those crystal clear blue eyes.
"I just didn't have anything better to do." I spoke softly, looking out to the deep distant stretch of water.
Luke shoved his hands in the pockets of his black jean jacket. He stepped in front of me so we were facing each other. Stopping me in my tracks.
"That. Is. The. Lamest excuse, Aly Cohen I expected more from you." He shook his head.
I couldn't help but chuckle. It felt so good, I haven't been happy in such a long time.
In the couple of hours that Luke had been in my life, I felt that feeling of glowing happiness.
"I don't know. Reasons." I crossed my arm, my smile slightly faltering as my mind traced back to the horrors that await me at home.
If you can even call that hell a home. I knew for sure I didn't want to go back yet.
"Hey," I spoke up. "How about we go down to the pier? I've always found it astounding late at night."
Luke smiled that gorgeous grin. "Yeah, I love it there."
We started making our way down the beach, toward the joyful pier.
When I was little, my dad used to bring me to the pier every Saturday night. We'd eat ice cream, cotton candy, ride the rides.
After accomplishing all that he would let me night fish off the pier, and we would talk about everything.
There was never judgment passed between us. Just love, respect, and wonderful memories.

"Luke stop!" I shielded my face with my hands.
"No! C'mon it's cute!" Luke made his way toward me yet again.
For the last 10 minutes Luke has been trying to put a clownfish sticker on the side of my face.
Why? I have no clue.
Where he got it? I couldn't tell you.
We had done some exciting things at the pier that evening, and this was one of the weirder.
"It's not cute it's for 7 year olds!" I held my palms flat against my face.
"Okay well you're 17 so it's close enough!" He wasn't giving up.
"Why?" I started laughing harder, still holding my face. "Why do I need it? What is the point?"
Luke backed down, he didn't step away from me, he just held the sticker on the tip of his finger so I could see. "The point is," Luke said, overdramatizing the word: point. "That is adorable and would look even more adorable on you!"
Before I had a chance to respond, the familiar tune of The Middle by Jimmy Eat World sounded from my back pocket.
I pulled my phone out and answered without even checking the caller id.
"Hello?" I asked, still winding down from laughing at the dork that is Luke Hemmings.
"Where the hell are you?" My mother questioned, anger and bitchy attitude echoed in her voice.
I hesitated. I never let her meet my friends, well up until now, I only had Thea, who she's known forever, and a couple of friends from math who I would never introduce to her.
"I-I." I stuttered. "I'm just out, getting some fresh air."
I was about to panic. If she found out I went out without telling her, and lied to her about my whereabouts she would crucify me.
Luke was studying my expression, he looked concerned.
"Well get your ass home!" She yelled. Of course, she was drunk. Her words slurred as she raised her voice at me. "You don't need to be out whoring around, I don't want to be a grandmother!"
The line went dead.
My great mood was officially wiped.
When she called me a whore that stung. I'm the complete opposite of a whore. One boyfriend, and zero sexual experience does not equal prostitute.
"Aly what's wrong?" Luke asked raising an arm to rub my shoulder.
I flinched.
I actually flinched.
"Woah, hey I would never ever lay a hand on you." Luke interlocked our fingers.
Holding his hand felt nice. Warm. Normal.
Our hands felt like they were molded to fit perfectly together as one.
"Can you..can you take me home. I have to go." I tore my gaze away from our attached palms.
"Yeah, yeah of course."
As Luke and I walked back down the beach, I shivered. It was getting chilly out.
My denim jacket was quite thin, I should've worn something heavier. Even though it is July.
"You cold?" Luke rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand.
I nodded.
He released my hand. Within seconds I was missing the connection.
He stopped walking, taking off his jacket. "Slip yours off and this one on, it's much heavier."
"No Luke I couldn't. It's okay, we're near the car." I said.
"I insist. Aly you look like you're freezing. It's a pretty cold evening out for the middle of summer in California."
I nodded. "Thank you." I spoke, taking off my jacket and slipping his on.

The drive home was peaceful. The stereo played soft tunes from The 1975.
I'd never met someone who listened to so many of the same bands as I do.
Neither of us said anything the whole way. I instructed him on how to get to my house and then it was silent.
I didn't want to get out of that car.
I didn't want to walk into that awful mess called my life.
Luke parked in front of my house. He shut off the engine and turned to face me.
"What had you all shaken up back there?"
"Luke, it's fine really. Thank you for tonight, for everything, but I'm okay."
He hesitated before reaching for my hand, I met him half way, letting him interlock our fingers.
"I just, do not believe that you're really okay." He whispered, looking at the ring he was twisting around my finger.
He brought his icy blue eyes to meet my gaze.
I wanted to break down.
I wanted him to hold me and let me cry enough tears to fill a dry ocean.
I wanted everything to be okay, because nothing was okay.
I fought back the urge to let salty drops of water fall from my eye sockets.
"Thank you for everything Luke." I smiled a small closed mouthed smile.
I went to take off his jacket to give back to him.
"No it looks better on you." He shook his hand, signaling keep it away from him. "It looks really great."
I grinned. "Thank you."
He grinned a dimpled smile back. "I don't want this to be goodbye." His face turned a little serious, yet still soft and kind.
"Me either." I admitted.
Luke pulled out his phone, directing it towards me. "Can I call you tomorrow?"
My stomach did backflips, handstands, splits! I felt like I was on a rollercoaster to Heaven.
"Yeah, I'd like that a lot." I tried not to blush. I entered my contact into his phone. "I better get going." I said.
"See you later Aly Cohen." He smirked.
"See you later Luke Hemmings." I grinned.
As I walked up my driveway I felt something on the inside of my palm.
Turning my hand up, I beamed a ridiculous grin because on my palm was the orange and white clownfish sticker.