Cancer Perks || Luke Hemmings

Seven

I got to the shop extra early that day to make sure everything was set up nicely if Luke actually did decide to come in. I tuned my guitar, wiped all the windows, and sprayed another heavy dose of air freshener to mask the musty smell. After that I unlocked the front door and flipped the sign to "open." I had no clue when Luke might be coming, but I was sure that I would be ready when he decided to show up. About an hour had passed with no sign of Luke so I decided to look around again for the Fleetwood Mac album.

"Maybe I could have it ready by the time that he gets here?" I thought to myself.

Again I walked over to the section labeled F and searched around.

"Where could it possibly be?" I asked myself.

I looked up and noticed a large crate filled with the overflow from the F crate.

"It must be in there." I thought.

I stood on my tiptoes, but was still unable to reach the crate. I let out a loud sigh before trying to jump up and down to reach the crate. Still being unsuccessful, I was just about to give up, when a large pair of hand reached from behind me and pulled the box down. I spun around in my heels and smacked straight into Luke's chest.

"Gosh Luke you scared the living hell out of me." I said giving him a slight shove.

"I saw you struggling, so I decided to step in and help." He laughed.

"Oh yeah." I said, scratching the back of my neck and turned a slight shade of pink. "Thanks for that."

"It's not a problem." He said, setting the box down on a nearby table.

"I think the Fleetwood album should be in there." I said, hopping up on the table next to the box.

Luke looked through it absentmindedly before pulling out the correct album.

"Ah here it is!" He said excitedly.

I peered at the excited expression on his face, the genuine smile made me happy.

"Can we put it on?" He turned, making dead eye contact with me.

"Of course." I said taking it from his hands and walking over to the record player.

I gently set it on and started it on the first song.

"So how's your day going so far." Luke asked as he hopped up on the table next to me.

"Pretty good." I replied playing with my fingers, "the shop has been pretty dead."

"Well it looks like I'm you're first customer then."

"Exactly." I laughed.

Luke and I sat for a while longer talking about our favorite bands and albums. I mentioned the Panic! At the Disco and Twenty One Pilots while he said Smashing Pumpkins and All Time Low.

"Of course I love you're band too." I added.

"Oh so you are a fan." He laughed quietly, "I thought you might be since you recognized me but I was too afraid to ask."

"Oh yeah I'm a huge fan, you're guys music is awesome."

"Thank you." He said turning to look me in the eye and give me a very genuine smile.

Before I could say another word the bell to the store chimed, signaling we had another customer.

"Just a second," I said standing up, "I've gotta go check on them."

As I walked to find the new customer I could feel Luke's eyes following me. It was quite a strange feeling to have a boy staring at you, much less Luke Hemmings, but I shook off the feeling.

As I approached the customer and helped them find what the needed I could see Luke out of the corner of my eye. He had stood up and walked towards the cash register and picked up my guitar. He had the propped himself in the chair that say there and began to strum quietly. Even from across the room I could see how engaged he was on his playing. Even just the small chords and riffs he played, he played with passion, putting his heart into every note. He looked up in my direction and caught he staring. Embarrassed I shot him a quick thumbs up and turned back to the customer. When they had finally found everything they needed and checked out I went back over to Luke and say down, listening to his beautiful playing.

"Hey you're really good, I said in a joking manner, "maybe you should do this for a living."

He laughed loudly and set the guitar back down.

"I've just had a lot of practice over the years, the only reason I've been able to get anywhere with it is because of people like you," he paused as a small blush grew on his checks, "the fans I mean."

"I know what you mean." I chuckled.

"Here you play something." He said, handing me the guitar.

Taking it from him and strumming it gently I asked, "any requests?"

Luke thought for a second before compiling his answer, "play a song that has the most meaning to you."

At first the request seemed daunting, but after a few second of thought, I knew the perfect song.

As I slowly began to strum the chords to Carry On I sang along.

Carry On, let the good times roll. Sail on, let you're path unfold. And it won't be long, won't be long, won't be long. You know it's gonna get better, you know it's gonna get better.

Luke joined alone with me and sang the harmony that matched my melody.

Say a prayer, for the broken bones. Cause who cares? We're all going home. And it won't be long, won't be long, won't be long. You know it's gonna get better, you know it's gonna get better.