Innocence: Lost

Chapter One

Luke Hemmings was a precious flower. He was a flower that changed with the seasons, but a flower nonetheless. He had grown into a delicious, angelic sweetheart that his parents adored. A daddy's boy, he'd always favored his father's affection over his mother's.

His father had given him everything he wanted ever since he was a child. The eldest Hemmings couldn't resist Luke's crystal, blue eyes.

Luke was the epitome of a prince, and his room was proof of this. It was here in this light, almost-royal room that Luke spent his quiet time.

The walls were decorated with his medallions and photographs of him in the many different, dance costumes. His duvet was white with blush-colored roses littering it. There was a table on each side of his bed. One held a vase with fresh daisies and a dish full of sweet perfumes. The other had a journal full of his most intimate thoughts and feelings. Adjacent the bed, there was an old, white bookshelf that filled the room with the smell of an old library. There were trinkets, French-to-English dictionaries, classic novels, and a row of ballet albums from his childhood. Above the shelf, there were was a painting of the ocean Luke's friend Michael had spent ages perfecting. Strung even higher were the glistening fairy lights that lit up Luke's creamy skin when it got dark outside, and he would have to close the doors to his balcony. Luke's room was as angelic as he was. It was a safe place for him to rest his aching muscles after ballet practice.

It was a Sunday, and Luke finally had time to himself. Luke's whole life was dance, and sometimes, he wished that wouldn't have been the case. He was more than happy to rest his ankles and curl up with Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. He had always preferred literature that challenged his IQ.

Luke lay delicately in his bed. He was clad only in a baby-doll nightgown. His soft legs were crossed at the ankles, and his plump lips were parted with every word he mouthed. The story was interesting, and it made Luke think wondering thoughts of romance.

He read until the sky was an orange and pink color and his eyes were becoming fuzzy from staring at the print for hours. Luke closed the book and looked out the window. There were fireflies out at this time. The blond boy suddenly got the urge to go for a little walk into town. Deciding to build upon his whim, he stood to his feet and stretched. The sunset was calling his name.

Luke opened his closet and pulled out clothes suitable for the public and checked his appearance in the mirror. In Luke's eyes, he looked average. He felt as though he were nothing to write home about. From an outside perspective, Luke was soft and sweet. He seemed to glow in the golden light of the sunset.

In town, Luke walked his typical, feminine gait. There was a festival going on all around him. People were selling many different things. Some had flowers, some were offering face painting, and some had various food items. He smiled at everyone that flashed him a glance. It was a warm summer evening, and the festival had drew a large number of people. That was typical for the city of Monterey, California. Luke watched the families happily stroll around the different festival tents with their children. He sighed happily, wanting that too one day. Though Luke was loved by his family, he craved the attention of a boyfriend. He wanted to be held and treated like the sweet boy he was. He wanted someone to kiss him goodnight.

The small ballerina began gravitating to the flowers. His eyes were wide with the desire to buy every single bouquet in front of him.

Luke's attention shifted when someone rudely bumped against him to grab the bouquet of pink roses Luke had his eyes on. He scoffed and looked up at the stranger. Luke found himself out of breath.

The man was tattered. Tattered was the only word Luke could use to describe the rugged beauty before him. His tan skin and full lips made Luke forget about the dumb flowers. This man was a new kind of flower, and Luke wanted to pick him. He wanted to keep him in a vase forever.

"O-Oh, I'm s-sorry, I didn't mean to..." Luke fumbled over his words. He didn't know if he should feel terrified or excited to be at this man's mercy.

"It's alright. Just watch where you're going next time, blondie." The man said. His voice was melodic and now stood as Luke's favorite sound.

"I-I...yeah"

The man furrowed his eyebrows, gazing down Luke's figure in a weird way. The scent of aftershave and honey overwhelmed the air around them. Luke nodded, a blush creeping up his spine and landing along his cheeks. He stood awkwardly under the man before slowly moving to scurry away.

Luke's pulse rabbited against his skin. He kept his head down, walking the complete opposite to his normal, positive saunter. Luke was normally bubbly and upbeat. He didn't understand why the handsome stranger left him so flustered.

He hurriedly maneuvered through the crowds of people, trying his best to find a shortcut, walking, in a huff, attempting to become invisible.

Luke cursed himself for playing out of character. Normal Luke would have introduced himself. Normal Luke wouldn't have blushed. Normal Luke wouldn't be running away from someone he barely knew.

Luke walked through town, a soft sigh lacing his breath. He had only been in town for thirty minutes, and it would take just as long to reach the Hemmings' mansion.

A few huffs, puffs, grunts, and frustrated thoughts later, Luke saw his home. The white mansion that overlooked the sea from the balcony. He sighed in relief. His parents weren't home yet, so Luke wouldn't have to explain his disheveled attitude. The boy was confused more than anything.

"Oh, why didn't you ask him his name?" Luke whined and slammed the door to his room.

His nerves were on edge. The young man did not cope well with frustrating situations, so in hopes to clear his head, Luke decided to take a bubble bath.

The petite ballerina waltzed to his en suite and laid out a silk bathrobe and two pink towels. He turned on the water and made sure it was comfortably hot before adding in bubbles and bath salts.

Luke's bathroom was just as royal as his room. He was very blessed to say that his parents were hard workers, and they could provide him with such luxury.

Luke undressed as the water filled up and looked at himself in the mirror. He was only 5'7, his waist was curvier than most boys, and his skin was milky soft. He was sinfully beautiful.

Luke was shy about his appearance. He knew he was pretty, but he could never understand what all the boys who wanted him constantly spoke of. Sure, his bum was very round and bouncy. And yes, his legs were silky and went on for miles, but Luke didn't understand why it was such a big deal.

Luke climbed into his bath when it was full. The water smelled like roses, and his shampoo liked strawberries. He sang softly to himself and closed his eyes.

He began to think of the man at the festival. Who was he buying flowers for? His boyfriend? Was he thinking of Luke right now? Probably not.

Luke thought harder. His mind went to places he'd never seen before. Places where only his older brothers had mentioned. Luke hummed a little, wondering what the man's name was.

After Luke's long, thoughtful bath he quickly got dressed in the same baby-doll nightgown as before and walked downstairs. He was happy to see that his father was home.

"Hi Daddy!" Luke squealed, hugging his father.

"Hello, honey. You have a nice day?" His father, Andrew, asked.

"Mhmm, I went into town for about and hour. Nothing really exciting," The blonde answered and kissed his mother on the cheek when she walked in.

Luke listened to his parents chat about work and bills over dinner, slowly zoning out to thoughts of the rugged man again.

"Luke...we asked if you have practice Thursday." Andrew interrupted Luke's thoughts.

"Oh...um...yes!" Luke smiled a little, but for once, ballet wasn't the only thing on his mind.