On My Own (disc.)

Sunsets or Stars? (7)

LUKE

The first day back is already terrifying, and I haven't even gotten up yet.

Thoughts run through my mind - my last name has been all over the news, I was probably going to be questioned by police, teachers, and students alike for the next month, or however long it takes for it all to die down. I was freaking myself out.

Michael eventually stormed in and dragged my ass out of bed, shoved me into the shower and turned it on freezing cold to wake me up.

It worked, needless to say.

I eventually just put on a plain black shirt, some jeans, and the beanie I'd gotten, taking a jacket for good measure and walking downstairs to get some breakfast. It was Daryl's day off, and he offered to make breakfast.

"And the pop star lives, it's a miracle!" Michael announces grandly, and I roll my eyes.

"Drama queen." I teased.

"Popstar." He teased back.

"Lovebirds, settle down. This is a family meal." Daryl teases us, taking the prize for the best tease this morning. I laugh, and Michael makes a grossed-out face at his comment as he hands us pancakes drenched in syrup.

The clock turns seven-fifty, and Michael drags me to his car. I graze my hand along Dad's trench coat on the way out and feel a little better because of it.

"I'll be next to you for as long as I can, don't worry," Michael assured me, and I nodded, fiddling with my dads' watch on my wrist. It was broken and scratched up, but it was reassuring.

As we pulled up to the school, I leaned my head against the window and saw people stare back at me, then turn to whisper to each other. Michael thankfully parked in one of the more unpopular spots to park, letting us have a few moments of peace as we walked into the school.

Once we got in, I kept my head down and let Michael guide me through the hordes of people with his hand on my back, through the whispers and pity.

I hear he stayed with Michael Clifford over the weekend.

He looks awful.

I wish he could have a better life.

His mum seemed like a bitch, she's the primary suspect.

Eventually, I sighed and looked ahead of me, and the whispers paused.

Damn, he looks dead inside.

It wasn't much different from how I felt - numb.

I saw Lewis in the hallway, looking at me with a blank face. I looked ahead until he whispered to his friends as I passed by, "The old man probably deserved it, like father, like son."

I instantly had him up against the lockers, rage clear in my face and veins.

"You fucking talk about my dad that way again, and you'll be a dead man," I whispered almost inaudibly, before letting him drop to the floor, hopefully having bruised his arms and ego, but I could've sworn there was a flash of fear in his eyes for a second.

~

So far, all of my teachers have taken a pity on me, and the first period hadn't even begun yet. But as I walked into the art room, Mr. Aidsen smiled at me like he always does. It's refreshing from all the sad smiles and sorry looks every teacher has been giving me since I got here.

"Morning, Mr. Aidsen."

"Morning, Luke."

Michael walks in soon after I sit down next to his seat, Calum right behind him. Ashton doesn't get in until the last ten seconds, though, and rushes to avoid being trampled over by the many people who show up as late as they can without actually being late to class. He sits next to Calum but smiles at me from the other side of the table. I smile back and turn my head to Mr. Aidsen, who had just cleared his throat.