Close As Strangers // LH

Never Drinking Again

Finally after a solid hour or so, I'm able to literally crawl back to bed. I stare up at the ceiling, slowly breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth. Closing my eyes, I focus on the bass of a song playing softly on the radio.

My alarm takes no pity on me alerting me that it is indeed time to wake up. My head pounds as I sit up. I don't want to go to class at all but I want to see Luke. What for? Even more torture? A shower does me no good and the aspirin I popped hasn't done shit for my throbbing head. I grab my bags, sunglasses and phone and push my way out the door. I end my slow stroll to class by sliding down in my seat. I rest my head down at the desk feeling slightly nauseous again.

"Nikki?" I hear Luke's voice a little bit softer than usual.

I lift my head, looking up at him, "Hey."

"Are you okay?" he asks sitting in the desk next to me.

"I'm never drinking again," I moan.

I hear him laugh before feeling a hand on my back, "such a lightweight."

I sit up, glaring at him.

"What?" he smiles.

I just shake my head.

"So Calum, huh?"

I shrug, "He's nice. I had a good time with him last night."

"Whoa," Luke covers his ears.

"Oh," I laugh, "I didn't mean it in those terms."

"Suuure," he smirks.

"It was just a kiss," I roll my eyes
.
I expect Luke to laugh, but he doesn't. He almost looks confused.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, one harmless little kiss."

I try to figure out what's going through his head. He looks like a deer in headlights.

"Luke?"

He snaps from his trance, giving me a small smile, "Time for notes."

"Right," I agree turning forward in my seat.

Periodically, I glance over at him during class and not one time has he caught me.
Weird. Usually he's making a strange face waiting for me to look. Whatever. I've got more important shit to worry about. Like how I can avoid embarrassing myself in front of the class by not puking. I try the slow breathing thing but it's not working. Pushing up from my seat, I sprint up the steps and out into the hallway trying to find the nearest bathroom or garbage can. A garbage can comes first and I promptly heave over it.

"Fuck," I cry, sliding down the wall.

I brace my elbows on my knee pulling at the root of my hair.

"Nic," I hear Luke say. It's the first time he's called me that. Calum must have told him, "come on, babe."

"Luke, just leave my things. I don't want to you to sacrifice class because I'm an idiot."

I hear him sigh, "I don't know. I think I look rather stylish with this bag."

I laugh, looking up at him.

"You look like shit," he laughs along with me shaking his head.

"Gee, thanks!"

"Come on, my dorm is much closer than yours."

"I can't ask that of you."

"You're not. I'm insisting. Plus the dorm could use a cleaning," he winks sticking out his hand.
I take his hand as he helps me up.

"Thank you for grabbing my stuff."

He nods, handing me my bag as we take the short walk to his dorm. The 4 flights of stairs slightly kill me but I'm relived to feel how cool his suite is.

"Right to bed," he points in the direction of his room.

"No, no the couch will do."

"Nikki," he eyes me over his sunglasses.

"Do you usually wear those indoors?"

"Smartass, now come on. You need to rehab."

I reluctantly follow him into his room, still clean from my OCD impulse the other day.

"You still didn't answer my question," I stand with my arm crossed over my chest.
By now the sunglasses are on his desk.

"Woman, get your ass in bed."

I'm about to sass him but my stomach decides otherwise for me.

"Actually, I need a bathroom and quick."

He quickly moves out of the way, pointing to an adjacent door. I push last him and basically collapse in front of the toilet, dry heaving.

"Please, stop," I quietly groan feeling yet another wave coming on.

"Nic, babe, have you-"

"No, Luke," I put my hand up stopping the door half way, "don't come in here."

"Everybody pukes, Nikki."

"I know but.."

"But nothing," he says sliding through the door, "have you had anything to eat or drink today?"
"Water and 4 aspirin for my pounding head."

"I'll be right back. Don't move."

I don't plan on it, I think to myself. Even the thought of moving has me nauseous. Luke returns, holding a bottle of Gatorade.

"Here, sip this," he hands me the bottle.

"I'm not sure I can keep this down at the moment."

"Just try. You're more than likely dehydrated."

Would explain me being tired as shit. I crack the seal on the bottle and lift the cold liquid to my lips. It's feels delicious going down. Yes. Feels delicious.

"Slow, woman," Luke scoffs.

"Sorry," I frown.

"Feel like you can move yet?"

"I think so."

He holds out both hands. I hesitate at first but take them, helping myself up.

"Do you mind me just camping on the couch? I'd feel awful if I puked in your bed."

"I don't mind. I'll grab a couple pillows and a blanket though."

"Thank you."

I walk out to the couch, sinking down into the plush cushions.

"Here ya go," Luke smile.

"Thank you again."

"No problem. Do you have any other classes today?"

"Yeah, 3:30 English hall."

"Welp," he says looking at his phone, "you have some time."

I nod, tossing the blanket over my legs. Luke walks into the kitchen, grabs himself some Gatorade and returns to the couch.

"Want to throw on a movie?"

"Sure."

Luke crawls down onto the floor, grabbing some DVDs out of the entertainment center.

"Oh! Transformers," I blurt.

"Okay," he laughs opening the DVD case.

I watch as he pop the disc into the players and hits play.

"Drink more of that Gatorade."

"Yes, gatekeeper."

He smiles patting my knee, settling in the couch next to me. I've never been this close to him. It scares me, yet thrills me. I scan his face, trailing my eyes up his jaw. The combination of facial hair and that piercing is something desired. And did I mention his blue eyes? Wow. To die for. I end my creep fest and focus on the movie. Luke slouches down moving slightly closer to me. I watch him out of the corner of my eye, his hand rests in between my leg and his then folds them in his lap. Why the heck is he so fidgety? He sighs, looking at me.

"Do you even want to watch this movie?"

"Yes?"

Luke re-positions himself on the couch so he's facing me.

He shakes his head, "No, you don't."

"I..don't?"

"No."

"What do I want to do then?" I ask him.

He smirks, "I think you know."

"All I know at the moment is how good Gatorade feels on an empty stomach."

Luke laughs, "Other than that."

I look down at my hands, "I don't know?"

"Nic," he speaks softly.

My eyes shift to his.

"Kiss me."

"But, I-"

Luke promptly places one hand to the side of my fave and the other on top of my thigh. His lips crash against mine, making every sense in body stand on high alert. He pressed into me, slipping. His tongue past my lips. I want to go further but my conscience screams, NO. As much as I dislike Kelsey, I can't be doing this to her. I put my hand against his chest, gently pushing him back.

"Luke, you are in a relationship. I respect that."

I keep my eyes low, not wanting to read his emotions.

"You're right," he draws in a breath, "I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I should get going. I need to stop by my dorm to pick up books anyways."

"Are you sure? I mean, are you feeling any better?"

"Yes and I thank you for being so helpful. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

I slip the strap of my bag over my shoulder and let myself out of his suite. Every emotion wants to burst out all at once as I walk down the stairs. What just happened? I feel nauseous for a different reason. No way am I going to my next class, so I lock myself in my dorm for the rest of the day. I occupy myself by watching crappy daytime television and sipping on the Gatorade Luke gave me.

"7 o'clock already.." I huff.

I climb off my bed and into my kitchenette to make some soup.

"Nic?" I hear Calum knock.

Oh great. I look like shit and Calum is here. I quickly turn the soup on low. I walk over and open the door.

"Hey Calum."

"Whoa," he looks at me funny, "aren't you feeling well?"

"Not at all."

"I sent you a few text messages but you didn't respond. I just wanted to stop by and check on you."

"Thanks," I smile, "I'm just making myself some soup now and after that I'm going to bed."

"Well, I hope you feel better, babe."

"Thanks Calum. See you tomorrow."

"Bye," he waves walking away.

I close the door and rush back to my now slightly burnt soup.

"Piss," I mumble pouring the soup into a mug.

Dragging myself back to bed, I grab my phone off my desk. 3 messages from Calum and a couple from a number I don't have. I unlock my phone and read the messages. Hey, it's Luke. Is the first message. I know you didn't give me your number but I didn't to apologize so I borrowed it out of Calum's phone. I'm extremely sorry for what I pulled today. I hope you can forgive me. See you tomorrow. I stare down at the messages, debating if I should text him back. I mean what could it hurt? I hit reply and start to type out my message.Don't apologize. I just don't want to be a reason you and Kelsey would have any issues. I'll see you tomorrow. Thank you again for taking care of me today.

It doesn't take long for Luke to text me back.

L: Are you feeling any better?
N: I am. Actually eating some soup now.
L: Good. Get some rest.
N: I will. Goodnight, Luke.
L: Goodnight, Nic.

I shut down my phone, slide my mug of half eaten soup on my nightstand and shut off my lights.