found / mgc

chapter five - heartbroken

"Hey Luke!" I said trying to sound relaxed and cool, but what girl is cool around her ex boyfriend?

I knew how break ups went from hearing other girls, especially Kate, complain about them. First the pulling away, the refusal to return phone calls. The vague messages saying nothing was wrong, that the other person just needed some space. The speech about how "It's not you, it's me" but if your boyfriend, out of nowhere, dumps you for no apparent reason after 2 years, is it really about you? Or is it all him? And, of course, the crying. But the absolute worse was when people asked if I was okay. Because then I had to admit that it was real, it happened, and we weren't together anymore. He loved me, he loved me but he doesn't love me any more and it's not the end of the world. I guess he learnt before I did that no matter how bad you want a person, if your hearts are in two different places, you'll have to pass and move on.

"I haven't seen you in so long! You look lovely." He told me as we made our way to nowhere exactly.

"Thank you." I said "Where have you been?"

He looked at me a bit shocked and I could tell he was about to laugh "Did I say something wrong?"

"Nah" he paused "It's just that" he paused again "I am in a band, y'know? We are quite big" I stopped walking.

Oh no.

"Let me guess. 5 Seconds of Summer?"

"I knew you heard of it." He smiled

First of all, I am so happy for him. I told him over a thousand times that he is really talented. Second of all, he knows Michael. Lastly, I am confused.

"Yeah, you guys are great but I am in a hurry to history."

"Can we meet after school? I want to catch up with you. I have some things to tell you."

"Starbucks at 4." I said as I ran off.

***

I spent my whole day thinking about the fact that my ex boyfriend and Michael are in the same band. That means they spend 10000% of their time together. I wonder if Luke ever mentioned me when they talked about relationships, if boys do that.

As I promised, I was at Starbucks at 4. And Luke was already there, surprisingly. He talked most of the time which is usual. He has this really bad habit of not listening to what you were saying and then asking you to repeat it.

"Your life seems perfect now." I said looking down, playing with the straw.

"I missed you."

I looked up, into his ocean blue eyes, shocked.

"Luke, we both know we can't force love. If it's not there, we've got to be able to admit it." I could feel tears coming. Not now. Not now.

"But what if it is there?"

"Just because you miss someone, it doesn't mean you should go back to them. Sometimes you just have to keep missing them until you wake up one day and realise that you don't anymore."

"But-"

"It's better to leave this relationship broken than try to hurt yourself putting it back together." I cut him off "Don't get me wrong. I'll always be there for you. Whenever you need me, I'll be there. I won't change my phone number ever. You know my adress, you know my favourite places, where I sit in a bus and I am sure that you will recognize me from a huge crowd."

He gave me a fake smile. I guess I broke his heart this time.

We just sat there in silence, and it seemed like forever.

"Your hair is different." he said

"Yes, I died it this summer."

"It's pretty."

Our conversations made me feel uncomfortable. This Luke sitting in front of me made me feel weird and anxious.

Five girls came over at out table and asked if they could take a few pictures with him. He smiled and made silly faces and I could tell how happy he is. This moment is his moment. I should let him enjoy his moment.

Luke walked me home, told me some jokes and gave me a big warm hug before I got inside.

"How's Luke?" Mom asked as I walked into the living room.

"Fine. We're good."

"A punk rock boy with red hair came over. He said he wanted to tell you something important and you should call him as soon as possible. He called it an emergency."

I thanked my mom for telling me and walked to my room. I hope he found something about Susan. I hope he found her.

"Hello there." He said.

"What's the emergency?"

"An old man said he saw Susan with two men and a woman at a petrol station. They were in a hurry."

"Oh my God." I said

"Yeah"

I didn't say anything. I just thought about it. She is somewhere with 3 strangers because of me. And I can do nothing about it. Just hope for the best.

"Ella, you know a guy named Luke?"

He knows.

"Y-Yes. I just found out that you're in the same band."

He took a few moment to say something. I think he was trying to find his words.

"Cool."

That's all?

He knows so many things about me and I still know nothing about him. It feels awkward.

And in that awkward silence, while I was staring at a purple wall, I got the craziest idea I could ever think of.

"I'll be at your house in a few minutes. Get ready."

I filled my bag with things I thought were important at that time and I left silently after I left a note which said "I'm sleeping at Kate's".

***

Michael was messy and he smelled as alcohol. Of course he didn't get ready as I asked him to.

I found an empty bottle of some kind of alcohol on the living room table. I guess this meant I have to drive. And I am the worst driver. I can't wait until tomorrow. And, if everything goes as planned, we'll be back by tomorrow night.

"Go upstairs and change, please."

He walked upstairs slowly and I followed behind, just to make sure he wouldn't fall and break a leg. I waited outside his bedroom but because his door was half opened I looked at him as he was changing his t-shirt.

Before I knew it he threw a t-shirt at me "Wanna come in?" and he smirked as I could feel my face burning

/////

(a/n)

This chapter is short but I worked so much on it and I am so proud of myself.

AND OH MY GOD, LUKE HEMMINGS IS ELLA'S EX!!!!!!!

(you are going to find out more about their relationship, don't worry)