You [l.h]

Chapter 23 : Exposed Plan

Helen is sleeping in my bed. She looks.. scared? Her face looks a bit pale and she's sweating. Is she having a nightmare?
I want to wake her up but at the same time I think it's a bad idea. She looked so tired earlier so I don't want to ruin her sleep.
I decided to sit on the edge of my bed, caressing her arm, running my hand through her hair, trying to soothe her.
Then slowly her face is getting calm. And without opening her eyes, she held my hand in hers.

~

"What time is Luke going to pick you up?"

Helen had dinner with us--my mother, my brother, and of course, me--We're now in the sitting room.

"I don't know. He said he'd pick me up before 7. But it's already 7:30. I'm wondering if he's okay.." She said in a worried tone. That's kinda cute. "I'm sure he's alright. Do you want to call him?"

"Yes, please."

I looked for Luke's number on my phone for the first time in this past week. Dialing, I handed my phone to Helen.

"He's not picking up." She said. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't worried, because the truth is I was. I tried to call him again but he never picked up. Okay this is not good at all. And now Helen looks even more worried.
"Helen, stay calm, okay? He must be alright. I'll tell my brother to drive you home. I'll be with you too, of course. We'll see if Luke's home yet. If not then.. I'll deal with it. I'll take care of it. But just stay calm, baby yeah? Don't panic." She nodded.

The ride to his apartment was silent. Helen was hugging me all the way there.
My brother stayed in car as I walked in the apartment building with Helen when we arrived there.

"We're here now. Let's get in and see if you're brother is inside." I tried to sound calm so that she won't feel any worse. I opened the door and found out that the lights were on. He should be home then I guess..

But we found no one inside. I told Helen to sit on the couch and wait while I go to Luke's room to see if he's there.

And what I saw was not a nice view at all.

Luke was there. Standing. With Clara in his arms.

And then he saw me. He widened his eyes, as if he was surprised. Well who would have thought that I would be here in this beautiful moment.

My tears are trying to escape and I really don't want this to happen. I don't want to cry for him for what I just witnessed. Especially in front of him.

I walked back towards Helen and tried to make up a story. "Uh, Helen. Luke.. he's in his room. There's Clara too apparently. Maybe something happened earlier, I don't know. But your brother is here. So no need to worry about him again. I'll go home now, my brother is waiting for me. I'll see you soon, yeah?" I hugged Helen and walked out of that place as fast as I could.

I tried to recall what I just saw a while ago.
What happened? Why were they together in his room? I thought he said he didn't like anyone coming to his room? And why didn't he pick Helen up? Has he gone crazy? I thought he said he'd do anything to see Helen happy. But today she was feeling worried and sad about him. And yet there he was with that girl. Hugging. In his room.

God. I want to punch him so hard in the face. He must have a reason. But I don't care about it. What he did was so wrong. And mostly, it was hurting to see him being so close to that girl after saying that he was forced to be with her now.

~

-the next day-

I'm walking down the hall with Emily. As much as I want to be away from everyone right now, I can't really be alone. I hate thinking about him. The memories, the feelings I've developed for him, his smile, his laugh, his cold face, his childish act. Ahh!
I can't get those out of my mind. And if I'm ever left alone then these things will stay in my mind forever. I need distraction.