Hate/Luke Hemmings Fanfiction

3

Luke's question threw me off guard, causing nervous laughter from me. "Uh, no, Australian."

He chuckled. "Sorry, I can never tell the difference. What's your name, babe?"

His use of the nickname on me hit me harder than his question about my nationality. "T-Taylor."

"Well it's nice to meet you Taylor. So you have my mom as a teacher, huh?" he propped his elbow on the wall we were conversing by, acting so comfortably, as if we had known each other for years.

Uncomfortable, I took baby steps back to create a little breathing space. "Yeah, um, second period."

I cringed after I said it. Obviously I had Mrs. Hemmings' class second period, I just told him I saw him in her class last period, how stupid of me to say.

"I mean-" I tried to make myself sound less ignorant but Luke stopped me, reading my humiliation.

"It's alright, I know what you meant." he looked around, "Well, I should get going. Do you need help finding your next class?"

I shook my head no, remembering I told Michael I would meet him by my locker. "No, I already have someone helping me with that, but thank you." I said, hoping to end the awkward conversation.

"Who?"

I looked back up at him. "Michael, uh, I don't know his last name, but, he has red and black hair."

"Clifford," he scoffed. "Of course he would be the one to show you around."

"Is there something wrong with him?"

"He's-" Luke began, but was interrupted by a flame-haired boy.

"Taylor!" he put his hand on my shoulder, but realized who I was previously talking to. "Oh, hey Luke."

"Hey Mike." Luke was not shy to hide his annoyance. "See you around, Taylor." He said as he made his way into the sea of teenagers.

Michael stared at Luke until he was out of sight. "Why was he talking to you? Was he being mean?"

I shook my head, quick to defend the blonde haired boy. "No, no. We were just talking, about, um, nothing." I shrugged to dismiss the thought.

Michael grunted. "Okay, well, oh yeah, I have your surprise! Here you go."

He held in his hands a chocolate muffin wrapped in a plastic bag. His mouth formed into a large grin, proud of his gift to me.

"Oh, thank you!" I took it gladly, happy at the kind gesture. I unwrapped the plastic and threw it in the trashcan behind me, hungrily taking a bite of the warm cake.

"They serve them everyday for free in the cafeteria during the ten minute break." Michael was interrupted by the bells ringing. I panicked, thinking we were late for our classes.

Michael was able to read my face, as he reassured me, "Don't worry, that's the warning bell. We still have five minutes to get to class."

I sighed in relief, pulling my paper schedule out of my pocket, asking Michael where my third class was.

The rest of my day was a blurred mix of unfriendly teachers and curious students. By the end of my sixth class, I was counting down the minutes until the final bell would ring. My mind was filled with tasks I needed to complete, I was assigned a load of homework, I still had a few boxes to unpack into my new room and I told Michael I would catch dinner with him, so he could "learn more about me". Michael has been outstandingly friendly and helpful, but usually by the end of the day, I like to sit in my room alone; I can only handle being around people for so long. I debated faking feeling sick to get out of my promise, but shook the thought, forcing the introverted voices out of my head.

I was forced to walk home, as my family's cars, including mine, had to be sold in Australia, being that they are build opposite of American cars, and undrivable here. My father promised to buy me another car "soon", and I'm still wondering exactly when that will be. My house wasn't necessarily far, but my light sweater was no good against the crisp ocean air.

As I walked down the street the school is on, a car pulled up to the sidewalk next to me. My instincts kicked in, and I began walking faster to avoid the creeping car; I did not want to get kidnapped today.

"Hey, Taylor! It's me, Luke,"

I turned around to see the blonde haired boy who I hoped to never have to see again after our horrid encounter earlier today. I nervously waved at him, and he motioned for me to approach his window.

"Do you need a ride?" Luke asked sincerely. 

My instincts kicked in again; don't ride in cars with strangers, especially with a cute boy whose mom is your English teacher.

"Uh, no, but thanks for the offer." I began to walk away from his window, but was pulled back from his hand gripping my wrist.

"Please, look, you're freezing." he begged.

The skin in contact with his warmed instantly, and the rest of my body ached to feel the same. I nodded my head, not wanting to speak and say something I would regret later.

As I opened the passenger door, I felt the warm air rush out of the car, so I quickly situated myself inside.

I could feel Luke watching me put my seat belt on, so I returned the gesture. He smiled, "It's nice to see you again."

"You too. Long time, no see." I joked, stupidly. 

He chuckled, looking behind his back for oncoming cars. "Is it weird for you to be on the opposite side of the road? It's like, backwards in Australia, right?"

"Yeah, it's a little bizarre, oh, turn right here." I pointed. "It's the pink house."

He pulled next to the curb of my house. I gathered my school things and began to open the passenger door. "Thanks-"

"Wait," Luke grabbed my wrist again. "Do you want to like, hang out sometime? You seem pretty cool."

My eyes grew wide, not expecting him to offer such a thing. "S-sure. That would be ... cool." 

"Okay, cool." he laughed at the excessive use of the word. "See you tomorrow at school."

"Yeah, okay, and, um, thanks again for the ride, even though I could've walked, it wasn't that far-" I trailed off.

"Don't worry about it babe, it was my pleasure."