Upon A Star

Chapter 13

In his once warm, bright and loving home, Nick felt cold, sad and alone. The walls were his only company and as much as he talked to them, there was no response, reminding him of his alienation. He ignored work for as much as he could, allowing a whole entire week to pass without stepping foot on set.

Richard left him multiple missed calls. Celeste too. But he pressed decline on each and every single one of them.

With a drink in hand, he drank away the pain. His duty was yet unfulfilled, so he downed another gulp of alcohol, allowing it to burn and corrode his insides. The thought of her burned in his brain, the way she smiled, the way her eyes twinkled every time she was talking about something that made her happy, the way she'd blushed when she was embarrassed, or the way she giggled. But most importantly, the way she looked at him was tattooed into his memory, and it was what got him through the rainy days.

He had to break her heart in order to keep her safe, but he clearly didn't have the guts. So alcohol was his technique, hopefully it would blind him from reality and allow him to do what had to be done in order to keep her alive.

-

The entire week Celeste stayed at Luke's home, he was hospitable. And when she had the bright idea for them to take a day trip to the beach, he smiled and nodded excitedly. So they got into his car and he drove for hours on end.

Music blasted and Celeste bobbed her head in synchronisation, her lips finally let loose and she started to sing along with the tunes played. Luke had to fix his eyes on the road, but the feeling that stirred inside of him, knowing that she was happy, letting go of her fears, being happy for the first time, created a buzz inside him that was uncontrollable. He smiled from ear to ear but he didn't conceal it, he showed her that he was happy too. So he started to sing with her and they both cheerfully sang together.

"Put it up," Celeste squeaked enthusiastically as soon as Ed Sheeran started singing on the radio.

Loyally, Luke turned the volume up and Celeste pressed the back of her head on the passenger seat's headrest.

"Is this your favourite song?" he asked while steering the wheel to turn left.

"Well, not my favourite, favourite. But one of them," and even though Luke couldn't see her, he could imagine her smiling.

"Why is that?" he inquired curiously, hoping that she would open up, hoping that this could be the start of a true friendship; a friendship where they trust each other.

"The lyrics. The way he talks about a Lego House and what it really means. It's the kind of song where you'd wish someone would sing to you. He is basically promising someone to put the pieces back together, piece-by-piece. And sometimes I go through that phase. I wish someone could see the broken pieces, pick them up, and maybe put them back together," she explained wishfully and Luke instantly grinned.

"I, Luke, solemnly promise to put you back together. I promise to stick by your side when you are down, I'll pick up the pieces. I'll help you get your life back together."

As Luke finished his promise he could hear Celeste sniffing. He sneaked a peek to her and noticed a single tear roll down her right eye, and he wished he could just slam at the brakes, stop the car and give her a big hug. But he couldn't, they weren't at a stop sign, the traffic lights weren't red. And if he stopped, he would have been the reason of beeping and honking and swearing from furious drivers.

Celeste took out her phone and Luke returned his focus on the road ahead, ignoring how her freckles were damp from the tears, ignoring how her beautiful eyes were sad but happy at the same time.