"are you coming over today?"
"what kind of question is that? you know i am."
"i'll see you soon."
luke bit his lip and smiled as he sat up in bed. he caught his reflection in the mirror, letting out a distressed sigh as he realized today would be a beanie day despite the heat. "yeah, see you soon."
---
luke knocked on the door of the clifford residence, though he was a bit hesitant. should he just turn around and leave? his hair was a mess even under the beanie and he couldn't seem to rub out the bags under his eyes. last night was another sleepless night of his; not because of a bad dream, he just thought too much while laying in bed at night.
at night, luke often thought about things like how he would look in the moonlight. shirt off, eyes closed, lips parted as he mumbled in his sleep. luke wondered what it would be like to run his fingertips along his slowly rising and falling ch-
"luke, good morning." the teenager's thoughts were interrupted by the man at the door. his bleached white hair was so messy luke almost felt out of place trying to hide his bed head. michael, though he was still a headmaster, still always managed to look like a teenager himself outside of the academy, despite his manlier features. luke couldn't help but smile as the man spoke again. "ashton's in his room. come in, you can make yourself comfortable."
"thank you, mr. clifford." luke smiled again and walked past him, awkwardly sucking on his lip ring as he took a seat on the couch in the living room.
soon enough, a familiar head of curls poked out from around the corner, and luke could see ashton's golden eyes light up at the sight of him. he made his way to the couch, leaning down and pecking luke's cheek."good morning, sunshine."
luke felt his face heat up a little as he stood up, towering over the slightly shorter boy. "is there a reason you wanted me here so early in the morning?"
ashton pressed his lips together into a cheeky grin, looking around the room dramatically. "nah, not really. just wanted to see your pretty face some more, is all."
"pretty, my ass." luke snorted. "this is the first time i couldn't hide my ugly dark circles."
ashton's face fell, and he reached up and placed a hand on luke's cheek, rubbing his thumb along his under eye. "luke, have you been losing sleep again?" ashton earned a shrug from the boy, and he sighed. "why won't you tell me what's wrong? is something bothering you?"
"what? no, not at all." luke looked away, a smile ghosting his lips, and he took ashton's hand from his face, lacing their fingers together. "just thinking about a certain someone a lot." before ashton could say anything, another person interrupted.
"ashton, mr. holly and his daughter are here to play a match with you and your father. luke, why not come with me?" rosalie smiled, taking luke's free hand and tugging him away from ashton and onto the patio. the two took their spot at the same table as usual as ashton stretched his arms and ran out onto the tennis court.
luke couldn't help but pity mr. holly's daughter. bryana holly, so incredibly graceful. it was obvious she had a thing for ashton, but he never seemed to notice. it was sad, because they'd honestly be the most attractive couple at highland prep.
apparently, rosalie felt the same. "what a shame," she sighed out, "i wish ashton would look at the poor girl the way he looks about you. they could make each other very happy." the air around the two suddenly felt very awkward, and luke decided to just ignore the harsh comment and stare on.
rosalie didn't seem to be phased by her own comment, as she continued. "i know michael doesn't seem to mind what ashton does, but i wish ashton would think about what he's doing. not that i'm against him being gay, but-"
"we're gonna head to the locker room. luke, would you mind grabbing me some clean clothes?" ashton rubbed his head awkwardly and grinned, and luke took note to thank the boy from saving him from such an uncomfortable conversation later. "yeah, i'll be there in a minute."
---
his heart was racing. should he take the picture now? was it too risky? luke had never gotten a topless shot, and he'd be lying if he said he didn't want one. he drew in a shaky breath, turning off the flash of his polaroid (he mentally thanked the lord that he cliffords had bright fluorescent lighting in their locker room) as he snapped a photo.
frantically, luke shook the film, shoving the picture in his pocket before he could see the developed image. his heart pounded as he entered the room, awkwardly waving at shirtless mr. clifford and handing shirtless ashton his clothes he asked for. he couldn't help but stare at the two, feeling his chest become heavy. before ashton could ask luke if he was okay, the boy was already out the door and outside to catch his breath.
locker rooms really weren't his thing.
--
boom.
i hope you guys are ready for shït to get weird <3
much love!! xx
