social casualties | 5sos au

Chapter 20 {By Me}

Neptune's POV

I yawned. It had been about an hour since Rylie left, and it felt weird without her. Michael was being antisocial, Calum and Ashton were talking, and I was just enjoying Luke's presence.

"You okay, babe?"

He had been asking that a lot lately.

"I'm tired. I think we might have to call it a night, Lukey." I said, and he smiled as the nickname.

"Alright. Guys, it's time to go. You don't really seem interested anyway." Luke sighed, and we all walked inside. As soon as we walked in, dad walked out. Hopefully to put the fire out.

"Thanks for letting us come over, Mrs. Namara." Luke said to my mom, and smiled.

"Of course. You seem to make my daughter happy." Dad walked back in, and Luke said, "Tha-" But dad cut him off, "Save it, and leave."

Michael, Ashton, and Calum were already in Ashton's car. I walked outside with Luke, and we said our goodbyes.

"I'm sorry about them. They're strict, and-"

"It's not your fault. I'll se tomorrow at school, yeah?"

"Yeah." I gave him a quick kiss, and he smiled after I pulled away. Ashton honked the horn, "Get a room, or get in the car!" He yelled. I hugged Luke, and then waved goodbye as they drove away.

"So," my mom said as I walked back inside, "How'd you meet him?"

"Ashton is Rylie's neighbor. The moved in a few months ago." I shrugged.

"You really like him, don't you?" She asked as I sat across from her at the kitchen table. I nodded, "Luke is the best guy I've ever met. He's so sweet, and considerate, and... I don't know, I just really like him."

"Well, I think he's nice, but you're dad clearly doesn't."

"Yeah, because he won't let Luke talk. Mom, this is my first boyfriend. Why can't he just be happy for me?" I complained. My mom gave me sympathetic smile, and set her hands on mine, "Honey, men don't quite understand like women do. Just give it time, he'll be there for when things go bad."

"If."

"What?"

"If things go bad. Not when. Are you so certain that things will go bad?" I asked, getting slightly pissed off.

"No, I'm just saying-"

"Goodnight, Mom." I said, and walked upstairs.

*next day*

Rylie picked me up for school the next day. She had on maroon skinny jeans, her fluent black Converse, and a One Direction shirt. I was wearing regular skinny jeans, red Converse, a Panic! At The Disco shirt, and Luke's flannel.

"Are you okay? Why did you leave last night?" I asked Rylie as she pulled out of the driveway of my house.

"It's just... Michael and Calum won't stop fighting, and I hate it. They're my best friends, but I know if I choose between them... It's gonna be chaos, ya know?"

I sighed, "Yeah, but maybe you should just tell them to cut it out."

"You're annoyed with it too."

"Kind of, yes." I admitted. I felt bad to say, but she said it first, so...

We got to school, and our three best friends were standing outside. I would say four, but Ashton doesn't go here. They were smiling, and talking like best friends again. I smiled, hoping that Michael and Calum had made up for Rylie's sake.

We got out, and walked straight to them, "Hey, you still have my shirt." Luke chuckled as he wrapped his arm around me.

"Oh yeah, do you want it back?" I asked him. I had completely forgot about giving it back to him last night. Plus, it smelled good, so I put it back on this morning.

"No, you look good in it. Keep it." He kissed my temple, and we turned back to our friends, and they were all talking. Good, they made up.

"So, you guys are good now?" Rylie asked them.

"Yeah," Calum said, "It was stupid for us to fight each other, and everyone was fed up with our bickering. We're good."

"Alright, now hug it out." She chuckled.

"What?" Michael asked.

"Hug each other. You're friends, it's not weird. Just hug!" Rylie said, crossing her arms and waiting. They hugged, and then we all looked at Rylie afterwards, "Good," The bell rang, "Now time for class."