Teenage Memories

Chapter 3: The One Who Never Spoke

I just had to get away from Michael before I blew up. I have no idea where I was or where I was going but I don't care. My mind was trying to process what went on because I don't even fully understand. When I walked past a bench I took a seat looking at the sparkling pond in front of me. I saw a family of ducks swimming around. The mom was leading and then she had 5 little ducklings. The 5th was a little bit smaller and farther behind. It was trying to catch up but couldn't. Before I could see the turnout with the ducks I was interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind me.

When I turned around I nearly had shit myself because of who was behind me. It was no other than my childhood crush himself, Luke Hemmings.

"Are you gonna say something or just stare at me Danielle?"

"Um...I...um why are you here?"

"Am I not aloud to walk in my  neighborhood?"

"I thought you had band practice."

"Michael had Ashton and Calum drive him home."

"Oh, so um why are you talking to me?"

"I haven't seen you in forever Danielle!" Luke said as he cautiously sat next to me.

"Ok and you can call me Dani Lucas and-"

"Don't call me Lucas."

"Ok sorry but still what are you  doing here?"

"The truth?"

"No fucking lie. Yes Luke the truth."

"Ok I though you might wanna talk to me. We used to be so close Dani. Remember? I don't know what happen-"

"What happened was that you chose Michael and you made that very clear. You couldn't handle it Luke and it's as plain and simple as that."

"It wasn't all my fault Dani."

"No it wasn't and I can admit that Luke, but you were the one to burn the bridge not me."

*7 Years Ago*

"Danielle come on were gonna be stuck without a swing!"

"Hold on Luke I'm coming gosh!"

It was a sunny day. A perfect outdoor recess day. Luke and I were going to the playground but I had to stop to tie my shoe. According Luke I wasn't moving fast enough, so he decided to pick me up. He was bigger and stronger than me so it didn't surprise me he could lift me up. When we got to the swing set we took the last swings. As we were swinging I kept feeling as if I was being stared at. Of course I was and it was from the group of Barbie dolls. I pushed their glares off to the back of my brain and focused on my best friend next to me. When the final bell rung we started running. That's when I was tripped by the queen Barbie Taylor Neal. Because I had to be running on the blacktop, my elbows and knees started to bleed. When Luke turned back to me he saw me crying in pain. Being the good friend he was, he came to help me. When he did Taylor made nasty comments like 'How sweet! Lover boy is helping his little girlfriend' and more along the lines of that. For some odd reason Luke got super mad at that. He stopped helping me, which cause me to flop back onto the floor, and he stormed off. That gave Taylor the perfect time to strike by saying these words I will never forget. " He would never date you, you piece of trash. You're so ugly and a loser. He was the only friend you had and even he couldn't stand you. Just like your dad, he left. Nobody and I repeat nobody could tolerate you let alone love you."
Those words can fuck someone up. Like really fuck someone up. After that day Luke and I hardly talked. I tried to hang out but he was always 'busy'. When high school came around Luke got close with Mikey and never acknowledged me again.

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Sitting on the bench with Luke was the most uncomfortable situation I've been in out of my 17 years of life. We were now sitting in complete silence occasionally glancing at each other. It was staring to get dark and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep. Since I do not know where I am, I asked Luke to walk me back to his house. Surprisingly he agreed and we were there in no more than 5 minutes.

"Dani?"

"Yea Luke?"

"When will I see you again?"

"I don't know Luke. Like it even matters but I have to go...thanks I guess."

"Dani it does matter and it wasn't a problem. Do you wanna maybe exchange numbers?"

"Sure why not."

After Luke and I exchanged numbers I got a call from him.

"Did you really check to see if it was my real number?" I asked with a laugh

"Um...yeah. I didn't know if you were just joking." Luke admitted while biting his lip ring that I never noticed.

"Well I should get going now."

"I'll see you around Dani. Oh and please text me when you get home so I know your car didn't explode."

"Wow um ok. Bye Luke."

"Bye."

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Authors Note:

Wow. See so far as you can see Dani's childhood had been shit so far (she was 10 in the flash back btw). I mean loosing your bff sucks more than getting punched repeatedly anywhere. Her home life wasn't great but that will come up next chapter.-Jackie