Frat boy ➵Luke Hemmings

Chapter XV: Coping

I opened the car door and walked up to my front steps. I turned around and gave Luke a small smile. He waved and then drove off. I turned and unlocked the front door.

I just needed sleep.
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Ava Brooks

7:45 am

I woke up to my phone chiming and I looked over to see it was a text message from Nathan.

Nate:
Hey, are you okay? If you want to talk, come meet me down the block. I know a good crêpe place over there. All you have to do is say yes.

I laid in my bed, engulfed by my white cotton duvet, not wanting to move. I stuck my face into my pillow and closed my eyes. I had no desire to leave my bed today, let alone my house. I had an empty feeling in my chest. A hole in my stomach. My heart ached and I felt numb throughout my body. I wanted nothing more than to leave this world and be free. I knew only one way to do that. I took my phone and put my earbuds in, putting the volume up and going to my specific playlist for times like this. This was my form of coping. I pressed play, laid down again, and closed my eyes, letting the music take me to another world.

9:30 am

I woke up again, now feeling much calmer. The music was therapeutic to me. Nothing made me feel better, other than doing this. I swung my legs over the side of my bed and went to get ready. I felt better so I decided to actually go and talk to Nathan. I sent a single "Yes." to Nathan and was on my way.

10:30 am

I was walking down the street looking at the different boutiques and food stands. I continued walking till I reached a simple crêpe shop and looked inside. There, sitting by the window was Nate, drinking a milkshake. I smiled and opened the glass door, walking towards the booth. He looked up and instantly smiled. He walked over to me and pulled me into a hug, "How are you Av? I'm here for you." He said, his face in my neck. I moved back from the hug, "Better." I said, giving a small smile.

We sat down across from each other and a waitress came over and asked us what we would like. I stumbled upon my words because she was looking at me expectingly but I hadn't looked at the menu yet. Nate stepped in and said, "She'll have the strawberry crêpe and I'll have the chocolate, please."
I looked at him as he said, "Trust me, you'll like it" and winked playfully.

"I'm sorry for what happened last night. I know it's been hard on you." He said, looking at me sympathetically.

"I just want things to be good, y'know? I want to live a happy life. I don't want this drama or heartache. I want to be happy and I want to share my happiness with someone, and I want that someone to be Luke. He's just making it hard right now." I said, looking down.

"Hey, hey, look", he lifted my chin up, "Ava, everything's going to be okay." I smiled and the waitress came up to us with our crêpes. "Here you go, darling", she said setting my plate in front of me. The strawberry crêpe Nathan ordered for me looked delicious. The crêpe was crisp, the whipped cream on top with chocolate drizzle and strawberries finished off with powdered sugar was absolutely appetizing. I took a bite and I was mesmerized by the sweet taste.
"I'm in heaven. This is a god sent crêpe. I love it." I said and Nathan laughed, "I'm glad you like it."

***

We continued talking until it was late in the afternoon. I had ordered tea and was calmly sipping on it while Nathan told me stories and made me laugh. He really brought my mood up today.

"So, Ava, what are you going to do about Luke?" He asked anxiously.

I sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I don't want to let him go but last night was too much. I don't want that in my life. I don't want to have to endure that constantly."

He nodded and said something under his nose, "He doesn't deserve you, I do." I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to hear that.

3:50 pm

"Well I should get going." I said, getting up from the booth.

"Alright, I appreciate you coming." He said smiling and giving me another hug. I turned and left the cozy crêpe shop, beginning my walk home. I got home in time to see Luke leaving. I walked faster, "Luke? Luke, wait!"

He turned around, "You can stop your shouting now. I just came here to talk but I guess it was a mistake." He said looking away, his jaw tight but his eyes sad.

"What are you talking about? I'm here, talk to me." I said, confused of what he was talking about but curious of what he had to say.

He shook his head, "I don't think you want me anymore."

"What are you taking about Luke? I want to be with you but you need to tell me what happened to you last night. Why did you act that way?"

"I don't trust that Nathan kid."
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The music thing that Ava did in the beginning is something I do every night and fall asleep to that. I am so determined to finish this book. Thank you to everyone whos read my book and got it to 25K! Someone liked my story enough to want to translate it like wow, thank you. Also, I've gotten a job as a tutor at my school and I'm really loving it. Halloween is coming up! If you celebrate it, what are you going to be? I'm going to be a deer.
Thank you for all the love and support -Ana♡

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