Polaroid Picture - Luke Brooks

Chapter Ten

"Lily, darling, can I talk to you for a moment?" My mother asked me. Nodding my head, I stood up from the table. Luke discretely took his hand from my lap where he had been poking at my thigh, trying to get me to laugh.

I followed my mother up the stairs and into her bedroom, I gently shut the door behind me as mom sat on the bed.

"The hospital called me," she said tentatively. Instantly, my heart dropped. What could have happened?

"And?" I pressed forward, already dreading the answer that was about to escape my mothers lips.

"They need you in for tests, Lily." She said, fear growing within her eyes. Instantly, I felt the walls I had let crumble over the last few months rebuild. My whole demeanour changed, I was once again disconnected from the world.

I nodded robotically. Hearing this speech one too many times.

"When is my appointment?" I asked her, calculating how long it would take me to pack.

"Friday evening, but we're going to head up to Stacy's Thursday morning and stay until Sunday, so we can get the results." My mother told me. I nodded again and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I'll be out in a second, I just need a minute..." I said, firmly placing my elbows on my knees and holding my head in my hands.

After I heard the door open and close gently, I sighed imperceptibly. Rubbing my temples gently, I stood up and patted my pockets, looking for my phone. When I realised I didn't have it with me, I groaned.

I ran my fingers through my slightly damn hair from when Luke and I fell into the pool.

Luke.

The date.

Great. Just fucking great.

Walking to the door, I opened it and slipped into my bedroom across the hallway. There, on my pillow, lay my phone. Scooping it up, I put it into my pocket and walked back downstairs into the kitchen.

When I walked back in, I retook my seat between Luke and Natalie. Luke shot me a glance but I just brushed it off.

Just like you're going to brush him off this weekend.

Internally, I groaned. This was just what I needed now.

"You okay?" Luke asked me in a hushed tone. I nodded my head and sent him a fake, but appreciative smile. Luke stared at me for a moment, his expression unchanging.

"You don't have to tell me, I know something's up. You can tell me when you're ready," he hushed. Nodding my head, I sent him a more genuine smile and relaxed back onto the chair.

*•*•*•*

That evening after everybody had left, I began to pack my suitcase. Not knowing what to expect, I packed a small hospital pack I had left over from last year.

I sighed as I folded another pair of shorts. All day, my thoughts had been hazy. Between worrying about what the hospital needed me for and cancelling my date with Luke, I didn't know what to think.

"Lily, Luke is here," my mother said softly, peering in through my bedroom door. I nodded and she opened the door further, allowing Luke to enter. Mom walked out and shut the door behind her.

"Hey," I said gently.

"Hey," Luke replied shortly. He sat on the edge of my bed, watching as I packed.

After folding yet another tank top, I sighed and turned to Luke. He was laid back on the bed, his elbows supporting his body weight so he could see what I was doing.

"Luke, I can't go on Saturday." I told him, frowning. Instantly he scoffed and a scowl appeared on his face.

"I know, your fucking mom told me," he snapped at me. The whole demeanour of the room changed in a split second. My face drew into a frown and something in my chest hurt.

That's your heart, stupid.

"I never would have guessed you were one of those girls." He retorted. Rage grew within me and I stood up, pointing an accusing finger at myself.

"Me? One of those girls? Would you care to elaborate?" I snapped back at him. I crossed my arms over my chest as Luke sat up.

"You're getting ready to go again. You were just going to drop me like a leaf!" He shouted at me. A surge of pain, anger and confusion shot through me.

"What the hell Luke?" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air.

"When we were 16, we were supposed to go to Sydney for a day. Just the guys and us but you left without telling anyone anything! My mom had to tell me you were visiting your aunt - not you! These visits to your aunt became more frequent but you didn't tell us anything! We were in the dark for a whole two years and then suddenly, you're back again." Luke started, a look of anger and pain on his face.

"But now, you're just going to get up and leave again! We're 18 now Lily, isn't it time for you to man-the-fuck-up and tell us where the hell you're going?!"

All the anger within me diminished and the only emotion I felt was remorse. I looked at Luke to see him breathing heavily, obviously unaware of the toll his little speech had on me.

"I am just visiting my aunt Luke, I can't tell you why though." I said gently, all the fight I had within me vanished.

Luke stood to his feet so we were face to face. He grabbed my sides and looked into my eyes.

"Yes, you can Lily. You're the only one holding yourself back." He tried to reason with me. I shook my head as tears formed in my eyes. This must have signalled the end of Luke's fight because he dropped his arms and stood back from me.

"We're moving to LA on Sunday. I wanted to take you out on Saturday and tell you how I really feel about you." He told me, staring into my eyes.

A tense silence fell upon the room. The only sounds to be heard were my heart beating frantically within my chest and ragged breaths escaping my lips.

Moving?

"Yo... What?" I asked. A scowl grew on Luke's face.

"The Janoskians are moving to LA. And you're not invited." He said, opening my bedroom door and walking out of my room.

Out of my life.

-

Sorry it took me so long to update, I was in Lourdes and then didn't know what direction to go with this!

*please read the updated version of CHAPTER SEVEN*

I hope you liked it, please vote&comment(: