A Little Bit of Love & Hate (Luke Hemmings & Barbara Palvin)

Chapter 17

Valerie's POV

"And that's you Luke, I love you."

It's been ten minutes since I told him I loved him and he hasn't said a single thing, he hasn't even moved. I turned to walk away just then, feeling completely humiliated and hurt because I just made the same mistake I did in high school. I fell in love with him and he didn't feel the same.

I began walking away and as soon as I'm off the beach and get to the boardwalk, I turn to look at him one last time, just to see that he's no longer there. I couldn't believe the mistake I just made. I never should have told him I loved him. I continued walking and went into a few little shops. I saw Dani walking by herself so we went for ice cream.

D: Hey Val, why are you walking around by yourself, where's Luke?

V: Hey, um Luke is somewhere around her, I'm not sure though. How come you're walking around here alone, where's Michael?

D: He needed some guy time so I told him I'd be on the boardwalk.

V: Cool, want to get some ice cream?

D: Let's do it.

As we walked into the ice cream shop, there was a queue of people so we were trying to figure out what we wanted to get. Dani decided on chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cone, and I decided on cookies and cream in a waffle cone. Once it was our turn, we paid and grabbed a booth by the window. I explained what happened with Luke prior to seeing her, "Oh my god, Val, Luke is such an ass. I can't believe he wouldn't say anything or move and once you walk away, he disappears?!" she said. "Yeah well I guess it's my fault, I shouldn't have sprung it on him like that, or at all." I responded.

As we sat there eating our ice cream, we heard the bell ring as a new customer walked in, it was Michael, Ashton, and Calum. They saw us and walked over, I got up saying I had to get going and said goodbye to all of them. I kept walking until my legs got tired so I found a bench and sat down. I kept replaying what happened over and over in my head and I felt something wet on my cheek, noticing I had started crying. I felt so stupid and embarrassed and it didn't feel good at all. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, checking it; my mom was asking what time I'd be home. I texted her back saying I'd be home soon. Luke was my ride here so I went back to the ice cream parlor to ask if one of the guys to take me home.

V: Hey guys, do you think maybe one of you can give me a ride home?

A: I'll take you, I wanted to head out anyway, and how come Luke doesn't drive you home?

V: Long story and I really don't want to talk about it.

A: All right, well let's go.

The car ride was quiet aside from the radio playing. It has been two hours since the incident and I still haven't heard a single thing from Luke. On the bright side, I graduated so I don't need to see him at school everyday, suddenly I felt someone shaking me, "Val, we're here, wake up." I got up and realized I must've fallen asleep. "Thanks for the ride Ash, goodnight." I gave him a hug and walked up to my front door. I unlocked it and yelled to my mom that I was home.

V: Mom I'm home, I'll be in the shower if you need me!

M: There's someone here to see you! Come to the kitchen please!

I dropped my bag, phone, and shoes in my room before heading downstairs to the kitchen. As I was walking to the kitchen I was pulling my hair into a ponytail. I walked into the kitchen only to see the one and only Luke Hemmings sitting on my kitchen barstool. I turned to leave the kitchen only to hear Luke speak. "Valerie, please let me explain." He said with a distraught voice, as if he had been crying. "Your reaction was enough to explain itself." I replied. I didn't need his sympathy or pity or anything of the sort. "Please, I just need two minutes, it's all I'm asking for." He said. "Two minutes."

We walked out my front door, sitting on the porch swing; he started talking.

L: I know you must hate me right now, but you took me by complete surprise and I didn't expect that at all. I needed some time to process what had just happened. When I had completely registered what you said, you were gone and I went looking for you. I looked everywhere and I couldn't find you. I figured you went home so I've been here for 10 minutes waiting for you.

V: Ashton brought me home and I figured you didn't want anything to do with me.

L: Val, that's the opposite. You're one hell of a girl. You're beautiful, smart, funny, caring, sassy, clumsy, awkward, and downright thoughtful. How could I ever let a girl like you go? Valerie Isabelle Davis, I have been in love with you since we dated 3 years ago, I've never fully gotten over you. I bullied you and ignored you, and have been a straight up asshole to you, but nothing ever helped me get over you. What I'm trying to say is. I love you and I have been in love with you throughout all of high school. Valerie, will you be my girlfriend?

I was shocked to say the least, I had started crying for the second time tonight, but this time I was happy and Luke was there to wipe my tears.

V: Yes Luke, I would love to be your girlfriend.

He leant in and kissed me, I kissed back and there was no better feeling in the world knowing that the guy you love loves you back. Luke might've been horrible to me in the past, but we are starting brand new, this time as high school graduates and a couple.

***A/N****

So, there you have it, Luke and Valerie are officially a couple!!!

There will be 3 more chapters to this book and an Epilogue. The next story I'm writing is called "Welcome to Ridgewood" so stay tuned for that, it's not a fanfiction, but teen fiction and I'm very excited for it!

Love,

Ava xx