The Last Chance- l.h ®

8: Care Free Young and Beautiful

"You're what?!" Caroline asked.

"Dating Luke," I said for the tenth time.

"Eeeeeeeek!" She squealed. "I can't believe this! For how long?"

"Almost a week."

"AHHH! This is amazing. I bet y'all are adorable."

"Calm down. I uh, actually have to go."

"What? Why?"

"Uh, he's here. Bye!" I rushed off the phone and gathered my purse and wallet before going to the door.

"Hey," he smiled.

"Hi." He grabbed my hand and we walked out after closing door.

"How have you been?"

"Good... you?"

"Fine." It was awkward. Since Luke and I had started dating, we had been super awkward around each other. "I don't want it to be this way," I continued.

"What way?" He asked, opening my door.

"Awkward," I replied once he got into the car. "I feel like since we've started dating it's just been, well, awkward."

"I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I've noticed it too. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give up on us." That warmed my heart. 

"Well, where are you taking me?"

"I'm not totally sure. I thought we could grab some frozen yogurt and then hang out at the beach."

"I didn't bring a bathing suit."

"I didn't either, so guess we aren't swimming."

"I guess so," I replied.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"Nothing," I replied. 

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yep!"

//

We pulled up to the frozen yogurt shop and got out. We walked inside and I ordered banana and topped it with chocolate chips and waffle cone pieces. Luke got chocolate with chocolate chip pieces, strawberries, and hot fudge.

When we finished eating, we left for the beach It wasn't a far drive, twenty minutes at most.

"I haven't gone to the ocean in years," he stated.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah but I have gone since my... never mind." I didn't know much about Luke's personal life but I wanted to.

"Since your..." I continued.

"Since my little sister passed away." My jaw dropped. What?! His sister died.

"Luke, I am so sorry." I reached over the console and grabbed his hand.

"Thanks," he replied. His eyes were watery.

"I know what you're feeling," I continued. "I lost my grandfather two years ago." His head whipped around to look at me.

"What?" He gapped.

"Yeah, he had lung cancer. Stage 5; incurable."

"Addie, god, I am so sorry."

"It's okay. I'm past that. I'd like to think that he's in a better place now."

"Me too," he smiled. "Well with my sister and your grandfather" I squeezed his hand in reassurance. We pulled up to a public beach parking lot and got out. "I'm gonna grab a blanket from my trunk," he stated. I nodded and waited for him.

We walked hand in hand to the ocean.

"What happened to her?" I asked.

"Aplastic Anemia."

"Luke I-"

"She was ten," he continued, ignoring me. "Innocent and young. She didn't deserve it." I could tell he was getting upset. "And if I had just been at the house when she fainted and her heart stopped I could have saved her life."

"Luke, it's not your fault."

"Instead I was partying like an idiot while my sister was at home dying." I winced. I hated to see so much self hate in one perfect boy. He turned and looked at me, cupping my chin. "She was the best friend I could ever ask for. She always laughed at my corny jokes and would have late night talks with me." He laughed. "I remember this one time, it was like three in the morning and we drove to Sonic to get milkshakes. That was three days before she died."

He looked into my eyes and then to my lips. "You remind me so much of her," he barely whispered. "Care free, young, and beautiful." I smiled. Suddenly his lips crashed against mine. It was as if he was pouring all that he felt into this one kiss. 

We laid the blanket down and just gazed into the beautiful sky. It was nearing five o'clock and we decided to head home. On the way home, we stopped for dinner at a small cafe and as I sat in the booth my life almost felt like a movie. 

The perfect day with the most wonderful guy.