favours; lrh

t h i r t y - o n e

Luke's POV

2 weeks later

Time passed faster than I ever thought it would, after loosing Andrea. Of course I saved my mother, and we immediately reported that creep to the police - getting him arrested. Having my mother back again was the best feeling in the world.

Exam week followed and I don't think I've even passed one final. I tried really hard to get Andrea to speak to me, maybe to even understand. I fell in love on the job, i meant everything i said to her, I enjoyed every second spent with her - but those just weren't my intentions.

I was a whole different person than I was a month ago. For starters, I'm not a dick. Anyways, Andrea stood her ground and ignored me all week. That didn't stop me, but what did was looking into her eyes when she made the rare occasion to look at me.

Her brown eyes dripped with sadness, betrayal, anger. This wasn't just those quirky girlfriend things where they say one thing but mean the complete opposite - I had lost her. For good.

"Luke! Smile for the camera!" My mom chirped, holding up her phone to me. I flashed a fake smile to her and my father - who wasn't nearly as proud as she was. "My baby's graduating!" She exclaimed pinching my already red cheeks.

I brushed her off me. "Yeah"

"Aren't you excited!?" She asked and my father cringed, about done with her excitement. I glared at him, "I'm ecstatic."

•••

My principal stood up on stage, speaking into a croaky microphone. The entire graduating class sat on chairs on one side of the field all dressed in our caps and gowns, that I was so excited to remove. Parents and family sat on the other side, and we were organized in alphabetical order of last names.

I was a bit upset the guys weren't with me, I would've loved to share this moment side by side with them. To toast to all the regrets, the messy hookups, the detentions, the drunken evenings, to a good time.

My eyes scanned around the people I was surrounded by, "looking for Calum" but I damn well knew i was looking for Andrea. Calum sat a two seats away from me, and on the isle, right next to him, was Andrea.

I raced to my phone tucked into my pants, and texted him.

To: Calum
bro tell andrea i need to talk to her

From: Calum
what you need is to get over her

From: Calum
she doesn't like you and it doesn't seem like that's gonna change just get over it and enjoy you're life

To: Calum
i swear that's what I'll do if you tALK TO HER

From: Calum
shut up their calling names

I rolled my eyes, accidentally audibly scoffing at the kiwi boy giving me a few eyes. I slipped my phone back into my pocket and watched as Principal Stevens called up people, they walked on stage, received their diploma, and returned to their line.

I waited patiently until mine was heard. "Luke Hemmings! Never thought this day would come." He called, I guess not realizing that this wasn't the 40's and microphones could pick up sound further than 4 inches away.

"Calum Hood!"

....

"Andrea Jhani"

•••

The caps were thrown, and the gowns were finally off. Music played from the speakers, and people walked around. Gathering food and talking to family.

My eyes couldn't help but land on a certain girl by the chocolate fountain. I grabbed a random yearbook, that might've belonged to someone and walked over to her. Lightly tapping her shoulder causing her to whip around.

"hey? Can you sign my yearbook?"

Brown braids whipped my face, the smell of her shampoo lingering around me. Andrea's smile dropped immediately after she saw me. "I thought I told you never to talk to me again." She said, stabbing a strawberry with a wooden stick.

"I know, but it's graduation. Thought we could at least talk...? About us?"

"I just graduated with the third highest GPA in the grade. The first black student to have, in ever. Becky is held back for the 2nd time and I glared right at her getting that diploma. Now ima go get really drunk and party with AJ, and Mel, and Belly and a bunch of other people who didn't screw me over. My last concern is us"

"Andrea I'm sorry-"

"You think I don't know that?" She asked, turning to look me straight in the eye. "I could see how how genuine you were all week - Luke, you never fucking stopped trying to get me back. I know you were just trying to save your mom - but answer me, this. Maybe you fell in love to clear your conscious about using me, maybe you fell in love with me just to make everything easier"

"No!" I denied quickly. "I-I meant every single thing I ever said to you." I whispered to the brown girl, brushing a braid behind her ear taking us into a long awkward silence.

"Listen, I.. I umm got you this for prom but a lot happened that night" I chuckled taking out the black box from my suit pocket and handing it to her.

She seemed confused, opened her mouth the speak but closed it immediately. She opened the box taking out the gold necklace, with an 'A' pendant hanging from the middle.

"Luke." She sighed placing it in her palm.

"Don't. It was expensive, and I can't return it. and if anything you deserve to have it." I smiled at her.

The girls look of anger softened, staring down at the gold chain in the palm of her hand.

She took a step forward, wrapping her arms around my neck. I felt the warmth of her body against me, the smell of her perfume, the feeling of her skin against mine - for what I knew would be the last time.

She gave me one last smile, before walking away. I sighed, missing her almost immediately. Andrea glanced back at me, the sunset lighting fanned over her dark skin. The curves of her body in that dress glowing for miles.

I blinked down at the grass, finally giving up all my efforts. I aggressively wiped my blue eyes and drenched a strawberry in chocolate.

I don't know whether it was my pounding headache, how hard I was trying not to cry, or how damn hot I was in that stupid gown but
all of a sudden, there he stood, my moms kidnapper.

I rubbed my eyes but nothing changed, he just stood there. I opened my mouth to speak, but he beat me to it. "Whether you want to admit it or not," he started, taking a step closer to me. "she was just one of you're many

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