Luke is spending the night tonight, I told my dad that his dad was drunk and that he didn't want to go home to be yelled at so he agreed to let Luke stay in the spare bedroom across the hall from me. I lend Luke a pair of baggy sweat pants and an old hoodie of mine to sleep in. He silently thanks me and sits on the bed, staring at something only he can see. I creep into my room and change into my own pajamas. The clock on my nightstand reads 11:18, dang it's late. I climb into bed and turn off my light.
My mind floods with the lasting images of Luke's wrists I can't get out of my brain. The bloody red lines marking his beautiful skin, flawing it, tattooing himself with sadness. I wipe away a tear that has leaked from my eyes, and pull out my phone. A new message is on the lock-screen, and it's from the boy in a room across the hall.
ANALDESTROYER: Thank you Em
EMILYLOVESPANDAS: It's what friends are for Lukey
ANALDESTROYER: I shouldn't have...I know that now, I'm so sorry. I know you have a problem with blood and all.
My stomach churns at his mention of blood. A sudden image flashes before me, a knife, long and sharp, dripping with dark red blood. I shake the image away and take a deep breath.
EMILYLOVESPANDAS: I wouldn't want you going to anyone else, except maybe a doctor. I'm always gonna be here for you, you know that right?
ANALDESTROYER: I know, you always have been, but, I mean, i don't usually need help, and I'm just sorry that I put you on the spot like that.
I am quiet for a minute, he's right, and although I have no problem at all helping him, it scares me to think of Luke ever hurting himself.
EMILYLOVESPANDAS: It's okay Luke, just please don't do that again.
ANALDESTROYER: I won't.
EMILYLOVESPANDAS: Pinky promise?
ANLDESTROYER: haha yes, I pinky promise you.
EMILYLOVESPANDAS: You could be crossing your fingers hold on.
I climb out of bed and tip toe across the hall, Luke is sprawled across the bed, on top of the covers. I peek my head into his room and he smiles at me.
"Come in, it's your house you know." He says. I grin and climb onto the bed. Luke scoots over for me and we lay side by side. I hold up my pinky and Luke laughs.
"Pinky promise?" I ask, turning my head to him. Luke pushes his forehead to mine and links his pinky with my own. His hands are so much larger than mine, I'm like a child in comparison.
"I pinky promise. There, happy?" He lets out a low chuckle. I close my eyes, and feel Luke thread his fingers through mine. I hold his hand tightly, and lay it across my chest.
"Yeah, although I'm still extraordinarily disappointed that you did that." I couldn't bring myself to say the words Cut Yourself. Luke sighs.
"Neither can I." He mutters. I open my eyes. His face is so close to me it appears as if he is a cyclops, only one large hazel eye staring into the deepest parts of me. I wonder if I look like a cyclops too.
"Cyclops Luke." I whisper to him, smiling. He grins, and lets out a soft laugh.
"You make me happy Emily, more than any of my other friends, I always know I can count on you to make me feel better." Luke inches his face slightly closer and to the left, so our noses are pressed against each other. My heart skips a beat.
"It's a gift," my voice is soft, and I lean forward. I can smell Luke, the faint scent of sweat and tears mixed with oranges. I could just inhale him, and I take a deep breath.
Our lips barely touch each other, mine just brushing his. I close my eyes and wait for him to kiss me, Luke puts his hand on my waist and pulls me close.
A sudden thump sounds from above us, followed by several smaller noises going down the stairs. I quickly push away from Luke. He sits up in bed and listens closely. I hear the oh-so-familiar padding of my mother's slippers coming around the living room, heading for us.
"Shit,"I whisper to myself, and open the door.
"Sorry," I mouth to Luke before hurrying into my room. I see him nod before I close his door.
I've only just made it into bed and shutting off the light when my mother's head pops into my room. I close my eyes tightly, and pretend to be asleep. She stands there a minute longer before closing the door softly and heading back upstairs. I sigh in relief and pull out my phone.
ANALDESTROYER: goodnight Em
EMILYLOVESPANDAS: Gnight Lukey.
