All of my 5sos work

Sweet At Heart

He strolled down the street like it was his own, as if he paid for every single thing he walked upon. There was something about his mannerisms to everyone that seemed to tilt towards dangerous, how he could joke one minute then snap at them the next.

His particular style was a warning to some, the black jeans and leather jacket he wore with any of those band tees was what they'd look out for. In the halls as people go to their lessons they move, back into their lockers in hope of blending in, becoming invisible to his presence. Others would try and stand their ground, act as if they couldn't care less about his demeanour when inside they were quivering away in complete fear. 

The moment when he would remove those sunglasses and run his tongue over his suited lip ring someone was in for it. Whoever was the one who had the gaze of Luke could run, would tremble, and should do as advised. A guy in our year was just picking up his books from his locker when he walked towards him, this guy was in his own world entirely, earphones in and shutting the world out like we all did from time to time. Yet as the black mass of material draped this poor souls locker with a thud he dropped his books, quickly picking them up. 

No one is ever sure what it is he tells them, whether it is a threat, a warning, or help with something. Whatever it is he says they listen, then no more words are exchanged between them. The sunglasses cover his sharp blue eyes, dampening the intensity and he walks on off, conversations continue with ease for another day. 

Yet they don't see what I see, to everyone I am another student that blends into this crowd of people within our school with nearly 800 individuals. It's not easy to stand out with that many people everyday yet Luke did, sometimes I wondered if he stood out for the right reasons, he had the confidence you'd need to pull off such a look but then again they were seeing one side of him. 

Never had I pictured myself lying next to him in my bed on a Sunday morning, I hadn't imagined him finding the perfect bouquet of flowers to brighten my room up when I was ill or him being sincere or nervous to speak to me, me of all people. He was Luke, he was considered risky, bad even for people to be around but that was a front to prevent everyone seeing the true sweetheart he is inside. 

The sweetheart who was apprehensive to approach me as I walked home from school in the rain and offered me a lift home, who seemed too shy to even ask me if I wanted the radio on or not. At first this shook me, Luke who had this act perfected of intimidating people with a single glance couldn't look in my direction for the life of him, but part of me liked this, the vulnerable side to him. 

It was something I was able to explore, the younger ones he went and spoke to in school wasn't to scare them, it was to warn or advise them. He told me that he heard what others had planned to do to the younger years, the ones who are easily scared and he told them what to do to avoid it or how to act instead. He wasn't frightening them, he was helping them. He was nervous for people to find out he was a softie at heart, he had been in fights, had the bruises and cuts to prove it. 

Never will I forget that night. Middle of winter during a harsh thunder storm, my family were away and I stayed home to focus on my deadlines. 10pm a knock on our front door caused my heart rate to increase, at first I tried to ignore it, act as if I were imagining the entire thing but another knock brought me into reality. Heading down the stairs I looked through the window, letting out a sigh of relief I quickly opened the door seeing him stood there, his face shadowed and his shirt clung to his skin. A gust of wind made its way past him followed by water, I ushered him inside without any words being exchanged and led him through the dark hallway and upstairs to get some towels. 

Once we got to my room I was able to see why he remained silent as I told him I would get him something dry. Across his bottom lip where his lip ring would've been a large cut replaced it, his left eye was bruised and his cheek had dried blood across it. Speechless at my expression he looked away, ashamed. "Who did this?" My words sounded like whimpers of fear at that point, yet his response was no more than a mumble that was difficult to hear above the rumbles of thunder. 

"The guys who wanted to make fun of the kids, I told them to stop and they turned on me, all five of them." He lifted his top up to reveal bruising by his ribs where they kicked him. My hands brushed across these marks and he lowered his head, hiding the pain he felt. 

Moving my hands away from these marks I lifted his chin ever so slightly so he could look me in the eyes. "You have no reason to be ashamed, you are a good guy Luke." I told him but he seemed unphased, his eyes remained solid, refusing to melt. "All you wanted to do was help people, you just happened to be unlucky this time." Moving away from him I went to get towels, only to have him hold my hand and pull me into his embrace. 

His arms hung around my waist as I remained close to his chest, hearing the shaky breath being released. "You are worth so much more than me, you can do so much better than some guy like me." Removing his arms he took a few steps back, holding my hands with less grip, slowly letting go. Walking out of my room I watched him let go, no more words spoken.

Following him down the stairs I wasn't giving up. "You do not decide who I think is worth my time or who I think is right for me Luke!" I wasn't the sort to yell, to create a scene but no one else was here to listen to me pour my heart out to him. Taking the last few steps to the ground floor I walked towards him as he stood in the doorway, the violent breeze filling the air. "To me you are good enough, you are a good person with the right intentions. I wouldn't have you any other way. Not anyone else. Only you." Slowly I was able to get him out of my door way and back upstairs to dry off, he let me clear his face up as gentle music played in the background. "There, all better." I broke the silence as I poured the crimson stained water down the drain. 

Moving back to my room where he stood topless but held his arms out, raising an eyebrow to him he let out a soft chuckle. "Dance with me." He spoke with some confidence, taking the steps towards him we took our positions to slowly dance around my room to the soft melody. Resting my head against his warm chest everything felt right, he let out a sigh of content as the song came to a close and he twirled me one last time. 

That was when I got to see the real Luke, the one with emotion, with warmth and ability to show the truth he had hidden. He was the one I never wanted to let go of.