Instagram • Luke Hemmings ✔

98 | Ela

Cheers and screams filled the arena as the boys finished their last song - She Looks So Perfect. I, too, screamed along with everyone as the boys give a huge smile to the crowd. The screams slowly quieten down but still some fans kept on screaming.

"Can I please have everyone to quiet down before I make my announcement" Luke requested, taking his mic off its stand and placing his guitar down.

The arena turned dead silent, fulfilling Luke's request. He walks to the edge of the stage and sits down, still holding his mic. He took a deep breath as he stared down at his microphone, looking absolutely nervous to the point where even a blind man can sense his nervousness.

"I bumped into this girl one night while I was strolling down the streets of LA. She was in such a hurry that she didn't even notice me as she was focused only about making it on time for her flight. And I remember when she noticed me she started fangirling but the silent kind. Her face was contorted into this expression where she bit her bottom lip and her left eye was slightly twitching, but you could barely see it unless you pay attention to it, like she was trying to hold back a squeal. A few minutes later she finally spoke and I swear to God I have never heard an angelic voice as hers. She asked me if she could take a picture with me and I say yes. Whipping her phone out only to find out that its dead made a tear fall down to her cheek. I know that if I don't get a picture with her then I'd regret it my whole life so I take my phone out and we take a picture."

"Four days later I posted the photo and asked the 5SOS FAM to help me find her. A particular account thankfully knows her username in Instagram so I quickly went on to check her account and DM'ed her. I found out that she was in a family reunion during the time I was searching for her so that's why it took two weeks to reply."

"We made a plan to to hang out once she visits Sydney with her family. We grew closer to each other as each day passed. Inseparable - that's what we are. We're as if duct taped to each other, like one of us can't even go half an hour without seeing or talking to the other. And I can't even tell you how sad it was when she had to fly back home to LA. I followed her a few days later and while I was there I found the courage to ask her out. We had dozens of dates before I manned up and asked her to be my girlfriend. I was a hundred feet up in the air because of my happiness when she said yes."

"Everything was perfect..." He paused and I see a tear escape from his eye, "until I hear a news about myself having to fake date a girl I don't even know just for publicity. I had to break up, over a phone call, with the girl I was deeply and madly in love with because of the stupid act. I hate myself for breaking her, wishing and praying everyday that I could just tell her that everything was just a stunt and I needed to abide by the order. She was the only girl in my mind despite the times I was with the girl I had to fake date."

"So yes, Arzaylea and I, we're just a show for the public eye. Months passed and I was fortunate enough that the girl I loved the most forgave me despite the bad things I did to her. I never wished nor did I ever think of hurting her - physically or emotionally. I don't have any intention to hurt the people I love and generally just anyone. I remember that night when I had to break up with her like it was just yesterday. I remembered her asking me if she wasn't enough, if she wasn't worth loving. I remember her apologizing to me for not being the perfect girl. I remember how my heart broke into tiny million pieces when her voice cracked as she begged me not to leave her. She was completely and utterly broken, and it was all because of me"

Luke momentarily stopped to wipe the tears that fell down his cheeks.

"I- We all know who this girl is. Ela Gomez, I just want you to know that you are enough. You're more than enough. You are worth loving more than anyone else in this world. And you are perfect, you're perfect to me. I was just so dumb for not fighting against the management's order because I was too scared that they'd drop our band. I want you to know that I am genuinely and deeply sorry for hurting you. I am so so so so sorry."

He speaks again after a few minutes of silence,

"I forever and always will love you, Ela Gomez." His voice broke at the end leading me to my breaking point

The tears betrayed me as they all pour out of my eyes and the sobs escaped my lips.

"I love you so so much" he breathes out closing his eyes as another round of tears fell down his cheeks

A familiar tune suddenly started playing as Luke positioned his microphone in front of him.

♪Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid
To fall♪

One of the spotlights suddenly pointed at me, exposing me to every single person inside the arena. Everyone sang along with Luke, swaying their hands from left to right while the flashlight on their phones were on. I watch the beautiful scene right before me. Luke serenading me while everyone swayed their hands along the rhythm of the song. I wiped my tears and a grin made its way to my lips. I sang along with everyone as I looked directly only at Luke until he sang the last line.

♪I love you for a thousand more♪