#Herby

Chapter 5

Liyah's POV

Tears are streaming down my face. I came back to grab my jacket and I find Luke talking about me like that. I totally realize that the fact that I just kissed him 10 minutes ago is not appropriate, but I didn't know he was so opposed to be in contact with me in any way. Ashton is looking super shocked, but his eyes look compassionate and honest. Even Luke is showing some expression, he almost looks sorry. His words really hurt me and I don't want to be around the boys right now. This has really been the worst day of my life. I leave the place right away and run home, hoping my dad doesn't see me.

The next day

To get the drama from last night out of my head I decided to call Ash and ask her if she wants to go the mall. Usually I hate being social but I feel like locking myself in my room today won't really help me get over my luke-coma. Of course she says yes and I drivemy bike to the mall with a positive attitude, because hanging out with her can be really awesome. Afer a couple hours of talking about girly stuff and some new bands we explored she of course brings up the guy I blended out off my mind since this morning.

     "So, you and that Luke guy went outside today, huh? Was there some hot action? Tell me everything.", she smirks at me.

I tell her everything about the kiss, the conversation I overheard, my stupid reaction and everything I can possibly think of. I don't even realize how my voice gets all shaky and I almost start crying again? After silence Ash points out,

      "Honey, if Luke doesn't mean anything to you, why are you so upset about him not liking you? I mean, yeah, he's hot, but you can have any guy you want."

It hits me like lightning. She is so right. Why am I complete obsessing and wasting my tears on a guy that doesn't give a single fuck about me?

     "You're so right, Ash. I will stop talking about this asshole now and just move on."

Wow I actually lied better than I thought. Throughout the remaining time at the mall the ONLY thing I think about is Luke Hemmings, what the actual fuck?

Luke's POV

Ashton called me this morning and talked me into going to the mall. All night I've been up thinking about Liyah's makeup running down her small cheeks. I feel awful. I've always been the mean guy when it comes to girls but I never confronted an actual reaction to it. I know my words hurt her a lot and I can't stop thinking about her and the way she was my calming point in the club. I guess insulting her is a protection mechanism from getting hurt again, but was that really worth it? Now that I lost her I don't feel any better, I should really apologize.

     "Hey, Earth to Luke, are you even listening?", Ashton asks me.

     "Yeah dude, Im just tired from our gig last night.", I lie.

     "Are you sure? Because you look like you are thinking about somebody", he winks at me. "Liyah maybe?"

Him mentioning her name in that context actually makes me mad.

     "Mate, what the actual fuck? Are you my new psychologist or some shitty online dating website?", I hiss at him. 

I grab my Starbucks Iced Coffee to calm myself down and to avoid making further conversation with Ashton. He seems to realize that I'm pissed off, so he shuts up on the way to the car. After a couple minutes he leaves me to meet his mum to go eat at a fancy restaurant. I make my way through the crowded mall as I see a brunette staying across the mall. LIYAH. My mind is telling me to turn the opposite direction before this turns into a big mistake, but my legs are already carrying me to the bench that Liyah rests on with her friend. 

     "Eh, hey Liyah", I awkwardly stutter.

Liyah's POV

I know this voice to well. I take a deep breath and I can feel Ash's shocked glance on my right.

    "Hey Luke", I say, avoiding eye contact.

    "Can we talk for a second, alone?", he says looking at his black vans. 

I think for a second. Should I really let him upset me more? But why would he start talking to me if he doesn't have anything to say? He puts out his hand and I grab it after hesitate for a second. I symbolize to Ash that it won't be long and she nods, with a small smirk on her face. Luke leads me up the stairs to the garden terrasse on the top of our city mall. My heart is pounding hard and his hands is slightly wet, is he really nervous? Even though he is holding my hand he avoids any communication or eye contact and I wonder if it was a good idea to go up here with him. Why am I letting people treat me like I'm nothing worth and then give them another chance? I decide for myself to be really hard on him, but all of a sudden he his eyes look into mine and he gives me the biggest smile and I can hear him whisper "So pretty." We sit down on the bench and I wait for him to take up on his offer to talk with me. 

    "So", he says, "how do I start...?"