On My Own (disc.)

Late Night Talks (8)

MICHAEL

By the time Ashton and Calum left, I'd found out that Ashton met Luke in primary school, and that Ashton had two other siblings. His dad left when he was little, apparently, but he was really brief on that. He was looking for a job to help his mum out with money, and that she herself worked a few different jobs. He didn't say how many, though, and I didn't ask. He didn't really like talking about his money situation, and I understood that.

He was really nice, though, and I found out he had a giggle instead of a laugh most of the time. Luke teased him about it, but I figured that he liked Ashton's giggle, too. Even I liked his giggle. He and Calum got along great, too. They clicked instantly, having both played football when they were younger.

Luke let out a breath one he closed the door behind them, his eyes wide and puffed out his cheeks, obviously socially drained. I smiled at him.

"Introvert, much?"

"They're my friends, but Christ, they talk too much. I feel drained." Luke sighed, plopping down on the cushion next to me.

"Am I draining?" I asked, curious. He looked at me, before shaking his head.

"You're refreshing, if anything."

"How so?" I continue to pry, my curiosity getting the best of me.

"You've got a different mindset than everybody else. You don't judge people, you don't assume anything, but you're not shy. It's refreshing, having a person like you. You're kinda socially brilliant." He said, and I smiled.

"Dinner's ready," Dad said from the kitchen, and we stood up, heading for the food that smelled wonderful.

I let him have first picking of the spaghetti and meatballs, and he didn't take much - just one scoop of the pasta and two small meatballs.

"Shit, did your family usually say grace, Luke? I never thought of that," Dad asked, worried. Luke smiled at him a little bit.

"No, we never had family dinners in general." Luke reasoned. It made sense, seeing as his family wasn't exactly in the best situation. Dad nodded, understanding as well. "But it's nice having them with you two."

"It's nice having someone my own age eat with us. He's old." I joke, and dad smacks the back of my head lightly as Luke and I laugh.

~

After dinner, the sun started to set and Luke stared out of the kitchen window. I remembered that he liked sunsets, and I smiled as I was cleaning dishes. I nudged dad, who was drying next to me and nodded to Luke.

"He looks calm like that," I whisper, and dad nods.

"I'd say cute, but --"

"Dad!" I shriek, giggling as he put his hands up in surrender. I grabbed his towel and slapped him with it, before going back to cleaning the dishes as he chuckled.

I glanced over to where Luke was, doing a double take as I saw him looking back at me, or rather me and my dad. I saw a sad look on his face, realising that he obviously saw the father-son moment that we just had. I felt guilty for not thinking of him.

He turned back to the window sadly, and I sighed, asking dad if he could take over. He nodded, knowing that I didn't do this very often.

I dried off my hands and sat down next to him, looking at his expression. It was distant, sad, and pained, and I really felt bad now.