drinking

chapter 8

Just when I could feel Ashton's breath on my lips, someone bangs the door.

"Hey, Ashton. Time to lock up."

We break apart immediately, and mumble a few apologies before I grabbed my bag. My face was tomato red as I waved a quick goodbye, and sped past his friend to my car. My sneakers slam against the pavement when I reach my car and throw myself in it.

Sitting with both my hands on the steering wheel, I breathed out, not knowing I was holding one in. 

Did that really happen? I think as I grip tighter on the leather steering wheel.

I peer down at my sweatshirt, still stained with red paint that I would have to chip off.

Yup, it did. I gulped, and I started the engine.

+

"Face it Luke, you're lonely."

Calum huffs, crossing his arms across his built chest. Luke groans, sinking deeper into his seat. 

"I am not, I have you guys, don't I?" he fires back, and Michael chuckles, almost choking on the chips that he was shoving into his mouth.

"The people you only call when you're lonely?" Michael says between swallows. "Right."

"I swear, I'm happy with how life is, and I'm happy with Haven and her boyfriend," Luke insists, and Calum tosses him a beer.

Luke pops open the cap, downing the liquid quickly. Michael shakes his head when Calum hands him a beer. Right, Michael wasn't a drinker. He was more of an eater. A big eater.

"Careful bud, I swear beer literally flows through your veins in substitute for blood," Calum warned, when Luke almost finished his bottle in a gulp.

"Let it," Luke muttered, clasping the cold glass tightly.

There was a silence, and all that could be heard was the sloshing of alcohol and the crunching of chips. Luke glances at the chips supply. Like he thought, Michael basically ate the entire two bags of chips. He wasn't even sure if Haven got a chance to touch it yet.

"So, where's Haven, if you're oh so lonely," Calum asked between sips.

Luke rolled his eyes, running a hand through his perfectly made hair. He knew that if Haven was in such a good mood in a morning, it could only mean one thing.

"Went out on a date with Ashton, probably. She left at noon," Luke shrugged, pretending not to be bothered.

But he was. He was angry that Ashton, no matter how kind he was, would steal his best friend away from him. Calum immediately caught on to Luke's murderous look and commented.

"You look like you're about to murder somebody."

Luke lets out a forced laugh, before finally finished his beer. Michael turned between the two of them, watching Luke try to decline everything they were throwing at him.

"You're jealous, aren't you?" Michael finally said, and both eyes turn to him.

"What?" Luke questioned, sitting up taller.

"Jealous. You're jealous that Haven is spending all her time with her Prince Charming while you're sitting at home getting your ass drunk," Michael concluded, and Luke froze.

"I am no-"

The blond boy was met with Michael's tough gaze, and he peered down at his empty bottle. Luke groaned, placing it down on the floor gently.

"You're right," the blond sighed, placing his hand on his face.

"Aren't I always?" said Michael, who was continuing to chomp on the barbecue chips.

The darker haired boy drank another gulp, before placing his bottle down as well. 

"Okay, since we found out the problem," he started, and both eyes eventually turned to him, "Why don't we try to solve it?"

Luke looked interested, peering between his fingers. Michael eventually placed down his bag of chips, and tried to wipe his dusty fingers onto the couch, but Luke glares at him. The red haired boy stood up with a grunt, walking to the kitchen.

"Solve it with what?" Luke piped up, and the sound of the sink opening could be heard.

"I'm not sure yet, maybe you could go on a laser tag quest with the both of them or something."

"Are you serious, I don't want to third wheel!" the troubled boy whined.

"It's laser tag! Laser tag solves all problems," Calum advised, and the boy sank deeper into his seat.

"Or.."

A voice from the kitchen spoke up, and the two conversing boys turned their attention. Michael was leaning against the open wall between the kitchen and the living room, head in his now clean hands.

"Luke could go on a date."

Silence followed. It was silent between the two boys in the living room, and Michael smirked.

"You know I'm right."

"Actually," Calum nodded to Luke's horror, "You are right. Luke, you keep complaining about being lonely, so why not go out with someone? It'll be an even exchange, your problem will be solved, and Haven doesn't have to worry!"

Another silence. All eyes are on Luke as he stares down at the ground. Going on a date? The last time he went on a date was.. when he went on a date with Haven.

It was the last year of high school, and both of them were dreadfully lonely. They planned on a date, and they thought sparks would fly from the old childhood friends, but nothing happened. That's when Luke believed love at first sight didn't exist, and love doesn't exist. He didn't believe in those fairy tales where the prince could save a princess, and Haven knew that. Haven knew everything. 

Maybe Luke wasn't letting go, because Haven was the one he was holding on to. She knew all his secrets and all his likes and dislikes, and it was much easier going out with someone who knew you than a stranger that was two seas apart. However, he knew that he couldn't hold on to her forever, since she was someone else's as well.

"Okay."

His friends cheered, but inside he knew he didn't want it. He didn't want any of this, but might as well give it a shot. The boys started talking about who Luke should go out with, and Luke tried to find sanctuary between the talk and himself. He sat up quickly when the door handle jiggled, and Haven came in.

"Oh, what's up?" She said once she noticed all the boys there.

"Luke's going on a date," Calum chirped, and Luke stared at Haven.

He wanted her to say no, or to say something. He wanted her to disagree, and tell them how he hated new relationships. But instead, Haven said something else.

"That's great."

Never mind.

-

so break is almost over so i might not upload every day, especially this week it's pretty busy but i swear i will upload

c