Lost - LRH

Chapter 1

That was 3 years ago, when I was only 14. You would have thought I have moved on, or something. I haven't. I could never move on, I lost my mother, I lost a part of me.

I look down at the floor as I try to get past the crowds, unnoticed. Life at home hadn't been all that dandy, neither has life at school. I had turned my back on most of my friends as I entered highschool, when I lost my mother. I haven't made friends with anyone, unless you count Luke. I met him on the first day in science as a freshman. We don't talk much, and theres no need to. I am comforted by his presence as is, and he must be too, assuming he hangs out with me everyday. Yet again, we have all of the same classes together.

A girls shoves my shoulder and I slam into a locker. Sigh, this happens on a daily basis; whether purposely or by mistake. I bend down to pick up my backpack that I had dropped from the impact, my books were scattered on the floor. I pick up my science textbook as the bell rings, great. The only good this from this is that there will be less students crowding the halls. I reach to pick up another one of my textbooks as I see a hand pick it up.

I don't bother to look up, I can tell by the smell of his cologne that it is Luke. I stand up, holding my textbook in my arms as I slip on my backpack. Luke holds out my history textbook. I grab it and nod at him, a gesture for thanks and a "hello".

"Mm." He hums back. He and I begin to descend down the hall, to our science class.

We enter the lab.

"Ah, Miss Hawks, not surprised to see you late again." Mr. Jackson grumbles. I always come late to class, I didn't care.

Mr. Jackson eyes Luke. "Mr. Hemmings, you never come late. I assume you have a good excuse?"

Luke nods, lying. He's a teachers pet, so he could get away with most things. Mr. Jackson nods back at him and waves us off to our seats, giving me one last cold stare before be turns to the white board to write something.

Luke and I sit in the corner of the classroom, we are lab partners so we sit beside each other. Mr. Jackson begins his lesson on bateria. I look out into the window to my left, not bothering to take notes. I'll copy off Luke later.

-

I continue to stare out the window, watching as snowflakes begin to fall and stick onto the window. The bell rings, snapping me out of my daze and Luke nudges me with his shoulder.

I walk out of the classroom and down the hall alongside with Luke. He is a good 5 inches taller than me. I consider asking him about copying his notes, I look up and open my mouth but I get interrupted.

"Of course you can copy my notes." Luke replies, reading my mind. He doesn't bother to look down at me, he keeps his head straight and eyes focused.

I nod, knowing he'll probably see me through the corner of his eye. We continue to walk to our English class.

-

I don't pay attention to any of my classes, I just stare out the window and Luke nudges me when it's time to go.

-

It is finally lunch and Luke walks with me to the library, the usual spot we stay during lunch. I sit at a table as Luke slides me his notebooks filled with notes. Luke walks away from the table and wanders somewhere behind the bookshelves.

After what feels like 10 minutes, I finish copying his notes. I look at my phone to see the time, I still have a good 20 minutes to spare. I walk to a corner where I spot Luke staring down at a book.

I look at the cover. "Pride and Prejudice, classic." I mumble. I usually don't start the conversation, thats Luke's job.

"Yep." He says as he sets the book back into its place on the bookshelf. He looks at me, "I don't understand how you're still in all of these AP classes when you don't pay attention." Luke says, theres a hint of humor in his voice.

Luke is smart, he always comes to class on time, and turns in his assignment early. I do the opposite, yet maintain an A in every class.

I shrug, unsure of how I do it either.

Luke stares at me for a second with a blank expression. Then walks back to the table where I had left notebooks open.

"You know, I'm not cleaning after you." He says half-jokingly.

I nod. And begin to pack my things into my backpack as Luke does the same.

I finish faster than Luke and I find myself staring at him. He is tall, about 6 feet, I look short compared to him. His blonde hair is styled up perfectly, as it always is; I have my hair in a messy bun, from when I was rushing to get ready this morning. Luke is liked by almost every person and teacher in this school, I am only tolerated. I admit it, Luke is handsome, likable, and smart, so why does he choose to hang out with a nobody like me?

Luke finishes packing his things and looks at me. I avert my eyes from him and focus on a wall clock across the room.

"What is it?" Luke asks, he obviously caught me staring at him.

"Why.." I murmur, not finishing my sentence. I had always had this question in my head since the second day of school, I never had the guts to ask.

Luke looks at me, waiting for me to complete my sentence.

"Why... do you choose to hang out with me." It doesn't sound like a question and my voice is tight, it sounds as if I am offended.

Luke looks at me, processing what I had just said to him. "You don't want me to?" Luke asks, avoiding my question.

I shake my head. I do want him too, he is the only person that makes me feel like an actual human being. At school I'm treated as shit and at home, my father doesn't acknowledge my presence.

"Well okay then." Luke nods. The bell rings, as if on cue and Luke walks out of the library, leaving me to follow him.

He didn't answer my question.