Disconnected | Luke Hemmings

chapter nineteen

In true 5 Seconds of Summer homecoming style, the boys wanted to have another party. However, upon my request, they agreed that it wouldn't be big and crazy like the last one at Calum's house after they had got home from Rock Out With Your Socks Out. I just wanted to relax and hang out with my friends again without having to worry about a bunch of other people. This time the copious amount of alcohol consumption would be happening at Michael's place; the evening was warm and practically begging for a bonfire in his backyard.

"Thanks for being okay with keeping this low-key," I said sheepishly, giving Michael a sideways hug. I was standing in his kitchen with him, Luke, and Calum, waiting for Amy and Ashton to arrive.

"You're boring, but we'll forgive you," Calum teased. I glowered at him from beneath the weight of Michael's arm but let up eventually and gave him a smile.

Just then, there was a knock at the front door, followed by the entrance of Amy and Ashton. Their arms were loaded down with bags full of liquor and snacks, and Luke let out a cheer of excitement as they entered into the kitchen.

"Finally!" he exclaimed. "I'm sure glad you bought food; I'm starving."

"Sorry for the delay, boys. Would have got here sooner if someone hadn't been so damn picky about her chips." He threw a pointed look at Amy with the cheekiest of grins.

"I really wanted to find the dill pickle ones, okay?!" Amy explained desperately as we chuckled at her. Michael kissed the tip of her nose quickly while she pouted. Eventually her expression softened and she looked over at Ashton again. "Thanks for the drive though, buddy."

"Anytime, Ames. Now, who's ready to drink?"

We all dove for the grocery bags, digging out the chips, marshmallows for campfire roasting, and various types of alcohol. Bundled up in sweaters and armed with blankets, we all headed out to the backyard to set up camp for the evening. Luke and Ashton went to work getting the bonfire started while the rest of us poured the snacks in bowls, set up camping chairs, and cracked open our drinks. I pulled my chair up close to Luke's and snuggled up next to him once he sat down, the fire crackling in front of us and the flames dancing toward the darkening evening sky. I grabbed one of the blankets and draped it over mine and Luke's legs. Luke clinked his beer bottle against mine and smiled at me before taking a drink. Across the circle, I saw Amy put her feet in Michael's lap as he covered them with a blanket, the two of them sharing timid smiles. I had to admit that it made me happy to see the two of them happy together. It was completely sudden and unexpected how it had all come about, but I couldn't help but think that maybe it was something good, something meant to be. Something, maybe eventually, like what Luke and I shared. It would be good for Amy to be in a stable relationship again.

This was nice, just sitting around a fire sharing drinks and laughs with my friends. I didn't want to admit it, but sometimes I was so focused on missing Luke when he was away that I forgot how much I missed the rest of the boys, too. I looked at each of them, Calum and Ashton laughing over something on Ashton's phone, and Michael talking to Luke about some song that they wanted to cover. I appreciated all of them so much, and I was so thankful for the moments like this that we all got to spend together. I caught Amy's eye, and her expression told me that perhaps she was thinking the same thing. I smiled at her and we sipped on our drinks simultaneously, a silent 'cheers' between the two of us.

Once everyone was comfortably on their third round of drinks, the chirps started flying out of Calum's mouth at a remarkable pace.

"So, Amy, you sick of Michael yet?" he joked, sipping on a Corona.