Serendipity

11

I slammed my locker shut as I headed to lunch. I'd been avoiding Luke since 2nd period and he kept blowing up my phone with text messages. He kept apologizing and begging for me to hear him out. Every time I thought of him I became enraged again so I've been ignoring them. But now I had to face him because we had lunch together. And in lunch there wouldn't be a teacher to silence him when he tried to talk to me.

I walked into the cafeteria and saw my usual clique. My so called best friend was there with all of Josh's friends and every other popular kid. Normally I'd sit over there but I wasn't really on good terms with them right now. I got in the lunch line and ordered a chicken sandwich. I decided I'd go eat in the library because I was pretty sure Luke wouldn't know how to find it. As I made my way out of the cafeteria I heard Luke's voice. I stopped walking and hid around the corner. He sounded really mad and was talking to one of the football jocks. I think his name was Peter Anderson. They were speaking in hushed tones but since the hallway was empty I was able to hear everything.

"Look I need you to find her and get her to talk to me." Luke said. Anger was evident in his voice.

"If you tell her I swear I will tell Ryder and he will literally kill you. You took an oath and if some bitch doesn't want you because of that that's not my issue." Peter spat. I heard someone get shoved into a locker.

"Don't you ever call her a bitch! I will tell anyone whatever I god damn please to and you're not going to blab to Ryder like the stupid dick head you are okay? I will break every bone in your pathetic body and trust me when I say that. You are going to help me find her and we're bringing her to the house because I need to make sure she can't get away when I tell her. Do you understand?" Luke said. His voice was full of vemon and it scared me. It was worse then when he threatened Josh it was so much colder. I heard Peter say yes in a defeated tone before their footsteps started to approach me. Luke's words began sink in and I started shaking. He was definitely talking about me.

There was no way I was going anywhere with that bipolar freak. I thought he was someone he obviously isn't and I've never been more afraid in my life. I ducked back into the cafeteria before they discovered me hiding by the doors. I sat my tray on the end of a random table since I had lost my appetite and I slipped into the doors of the kitchen. I knew students weren't allowed back here but I saw Luke and Peter enter the cafeteria and there was no other way to escape. My blood ran cold as I thought about the possibility of Luke having more people searching for me. The only place I knew I would be safe was home so I ran through the kitchen and out building.

"Shit!" I swore as I realized Luke had driven me to school. I had ran home after I caught Josh in the cafeteria so it wouldn't be a big deal to run now, especially since it was life or death. I took off running for my house, not looking back. There was no way I was letting Luke find me.

•••

I was so tired when I made it home it was crazy to think I ran it so effortlessly after what Josh did. I ran up my front porch and into my house. I didn't stop running until I made it to my room. Of course my parents weren't home so I was just sitting in my room alone. I shed a few tears as I thought about what Luke said.

What if he wanted to force me to join a gang with him and his friends. I literally puked at the thought of that. I couldn't believe this.

Luke was so sweet and seemed to care for me and I told him my biggest secrets and now I was terrified of him and locked in my room hoping he never finds me.

I got another text from Luke asking where I was and if I was okay. I threw my phone across the room in frustration. I just wanted him to leave me alone.

Sitting in the quiet of my room gave me plenty of time to think things through. Okay, my first question was how did Luke know Peter. Obviously they had a relationship through some Ryder guy who sounded so scary. What if they were in a gang that was apart of some sex trade and that's why Luke wanted me! Okay that's crazy, Luke has his sweet little sister and mom there's no way he's in a gang plus he just moved here. I was finally starting to calm down when my doorbell rang. My heart dropped to my stomach. What if it was him.

My bedroom window looked out on the driveway so I checked my driveway for cars. I almost peed my pants when I saw Luke's car in my driveway. I heard my doorbell ring again followed by knocking.

"Em come on this has gone on long enough, you wanted answers and here I am. Open up!" He called through the door. I saw Peter waiting in his car and I almost cried. I didn't know what to do. I needed to stay away from him but obviously I don't have a choice. I didn't doubt that he'd break into my house if I didn't answer.

I ran a hand through my hair before running into the kitchen where I slid a knife into the pocket of my jacket for protection before slowly approaching the door. I heard more knocking which indicated he was still there. I took a deep breath before opening the door.

Luke stood there with disheveled hair and pleading eyes. For a moment I forgot to be afraid of him.

"Emily what is going on? Are you okay, I know you're really upset with me but you left school early and I was worried." He said as he searched my eyes for something. I looked away before responding.

"Why is Peter here?" I asked looking back at him. Confusion ran through his eyes before he frowned.

"Um...uh ...he a...is just a friend that came to make sure you were alright. I met him at lunch when you didn't show." He lied. I knew he wasn't telling the truth because I saw him talking to Peter before he even came into the cafeteria.

"Oh really." I said staring him down. He gave me a confused look.

"Look it was nice of you to come check on me but obviously I'm fine and I think its best if we just ended this relationship and we both move on, goodbye Luke." I said as I started to close my front door. Luke reached out and stopped the door.

"Emily I love you, you could at least let me give you the answers you said you wanted." He said as he pushed opened the door again. I just gave him a blank stare.

"So do you want me to explain, because if you do I can't do it here." He said. My stomach felt queasy as I thought about his conversation with Peter. He was probably taking me to the house he mentioned. There was no way I would let that happen.

"I don't think that's a good idea, we should just end things." I said as calmly as I could. Something dark flashed in his eyes before he began glaring at me. Now I had made him mad which couldn't be good. Luke pushed past me into my house then closed my front door.

"I'm not letting this go Emily, we have something special." He said, unclear emotions invading his voice.

"I'm sorry." He whispered as he came towards me.

"What are you doing." I cried but it was too late. He forced me into what felt like a hug before I felt a pinch in me neck. He had injected me with something.

"I'm so sorry." I heard him repeat before everything went black.