Just Watching// l.h.

Chapter 7

Luke P.O.V.

I smiled at myself, knowing I did the right thing for once. I couldn't see any of her reactions because her hair was covering her face the whole time. She was still so beautiful. How her voice was so soft when she spoke, sometimes squeaking on certain words. How her face always brightened when I did something unexpected. How her smile fought to appear. I wanted her to be mine.

My dad's truck pulled up and I groaned, knowing he'd probably talk to me. I hated him because he hated me. I walked through the rain. Such a perfect Friday, I thought. I open the car door and jump in.

"Why didn't you get a ride with Michael," he snaps. "I was doing paperwork." Not even a hello.

"I left my phone in my locker," I say. "Michael dropped me off and I told him I could walk. But as you can see, father, it's pouring rain."

"Don't give me that attitude, Luke," he exclaims. "If you weren't so stupid, we wouldn't be in this situation."

"Well at least I went to school," I say.

"You did not," he yells. "The school called me. You skipped every class!" I groan. "You're gonna have no future, Luke. Look at your brothers. They've got jobs, they're starting families. They actually graduated high school!" I roll my eyes. "You need to step up, Luke. No girls gonna want someone as pathetic as you." He pulls up to the club house. I open the door.

"I'm sleeping over," I say, stepping out. "The whole weekend." I slam the door and watch him drive away. I open the door to the club house and screaming hits me right away.

"-can't believe you did that," Mariah yells. I walk in slowly. "You all are dicks! What did she ever do to you?" Uh oh. I walk in and see the boys on the couch, Mariah standing in front of them, and Aleigha sitting on a chair, covering her face once again. Aleigha!?! I was confused.

"What's going on," I say. Mariah turns to me and her face fills with anger.

"And you," she stomps towards me. "Why would you let them do that to her?!?"

"Mariah," Aleigha quietly speaks. Mariah doesn't hear her.

"You just let them hurt her," she exclaims. "You're the biggest-"

"Mariah," Aleigha exclaims, interrupting her. Everyone looks at her in astonishment. "He already apologized." The boys looked at me with confused expressions.

"You did," Michael spoke. I nod. He looked down. "I'm really sorry, too."

"Are you gonna say it to her face," Mariah crosses her arms as Michael looks up. He looks straight at Aleigha.

"I'm so sorry I hurt you," he speaks. "I'm sorry I made them hurt you. I'm a cruel person and want you to forgive me." He looks over at me. "But for God's sake, don't be angry with Luke." Aleighas head moved to look at me, and I turned to look at her. "He knew it was a terrible thing but didn't know how to stop it. He always left because he didn't want to see the pain we brought you." I smile lightly at her. "He sees the beauty in you that we never did. He sees the hurt you've been through that he regrets so much." I turn to Michael. "He sees you." I nod at him and he returns it.

"Well then," Mariah says, calmly. "Um... I have an idea." We all look at her. "If Aleighas allowed, I think she should stay for the weekend." Aleighas eyes widen.

"I don't think-" she begins.

"Please," Mariah interrupts. She wanted all of us to be friends but didn't want to say it. Aleigha sighs.

"I'll text my mom," she says and Mariahs face lights up. This was going to be a long weekend.

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After Aleighas mom dropped off her stuff, willingly letting her to stay, we all watched movies for the night. We all went to bed after that. Cashton in one room, Mariah and Michael in another room, me in one room, and Aleigha in our guest room. With Michael's dad being rich, he helped us build this house like it was an actual house. It had a kitchen, a living room, four rooms, and two bathrooms. Michael missed his dad so much.

I laid awake, thinking of the long day so far. Please just stay away from me... pathetic as you... Why would you let them do that to her?!? All the bad thoughts rushed in. I couldn't sleep so I got up out of bed and walked to the kitchen. I froze as I saw Aleigha sitting at the table. Her hair was up and she wasn't wearing her glasses. Her eyes were so beautiful.

"Hi," I say, making her jump and look up at me.

"Jesus, Luke," she begins. "You scared..." She looks at my appearance. I was only in pajama pants. "Me." She looks away, blushing. I smirk.

"You can't sleep either," I ask, sitting down next to her. She was blushing like crazy and had no other choice but to look at me.

"I-It's because I'm in a n-new place," she stutters out, trying not look at me. "Plus, I'm a bit scared." I lean in closer to her.

"Don't be," I say, pressing my lips to hers. Her lips felt so soft on mine and I didn't want to pull away. But I had to. I wanted her to want me. So I pulled away. I started to get up and walk away. "Goodnight, Aleigha," I said, walking back to my room. She said nothing, probably astonished by it. I smirked at my success again, laying down on my bed. After that, I fell asleep right away. I still had the tingling feeling of her lips on mine as I drifted off.