SCHIZO

Eight

When I woke up it was dark and quiet. I look around, blinking the sleep from eyes. The only source of light I see is from the flashing numbers on the electronic clock in the corner of the room. 5:00 am. There was a blanket on me. I moved my head and I realized there was an arm around the back of my neck. My head almost met with a chest. I lift my eyes and I see a peaceful sleeping Luke. Slowly yet carefully, I prop myself up on one elbow. He looked younger. Softer. I remember falling asleep at the piano. Did mom leave me here?

Swiftly and silently I slid out of the bed and landed on the carpeted floor. My eyes were adjusting to the darkness and I saw the a door, wide open. I walked in. I closed the door and turned on the lights. I was greeted with piles and piles of books. The books looked used. Most of them, at least. I wanted to find Luke's favorite book. And his least favorite, so I searched the stacks of books for the one that looked touched the most, and one that looked touched at least once. It would probably take hours to find them, there were so many. Finally my eyes landed on one book alone. I crawled over to it and flipped through the pages. Edges were smooth and dull, there was no possible way to receive a paper cut from this book. I closed it and read the title. Paper Towns by John Green. I smiled. John Green. An incredible author. I've read all his books. This one was always an enjoyable one. I could see why Luke likes it. I open it up and flip to a random page and read the first thing my eyes land on.

"She loved mysteries so much she became one."

She became a mystery.

I pondered on that for a moment. Margo loved mysteries, she literally became one herself. Her entire being became one. She wanted to be a mystery.

A mystery is intangible. Unable to touch. Most things we as humans want to be are intangible. We want to be happy, we want to be crazy, full of life, soulful, likable, interesting, engaging. We want to be intangible things. We strive to be so unique we are unable to touch. Except we're doing it incorrectly. We are reaching out our hands to these untouchable things, when we should be reaching our minds out. The only way you can truly grasp something is trough the mind. Our minds must want to become happy or joyful or engaging. If our minds are not set on it, it is unimportant to us. Margo strived to become mysterious, and she put her mind to it, and what was she? A mystery.

I sigh and run my fingers down the book again before placing it down. Now for the difficult part: finding his least favorite book.

There were plenty of books here that either weren't touched or were barely touched.

How the hell does he have so many books? I ask myself. (Seriously, though, there's probably enough in here to last a lifetime.).

There's no clock in the room, but I didn't care how long it took to find his least favorite book.

I sighed heavily as I laid down on my back, arms spread out. I stared at the white ceiling. It was quiet and the smell of book pages surrounded me. I breathed in heavily and smiled.

The quiet brought a sense of relief. I have mixed feelings about quietness. I prefer it when no one else is around. Pure quiet in a room full of people makes me feel like I'm in a horror movie. No room full of people should be so quiet, ever.

I reached over and grabbed a random book. Eleanor & Park. I have heard of this book, though I must admit, I've never read it. I opened the book and began reading.

About five chapters of point of view swaps and plenty of anticipation, I heard the door handle moving, then saw the door open in the corner of my eye. A tall skinny blonde male walked over. Luke. I didn't look at him.

He laid next to me. He was wearing a gray sweats and a black shirt. I finally realized I wasn't in the same clothes I had on last night. I put the book down. I sit up.

"Luke Hemmings," I say, looking right at him, "where the hell are my clothes." It was more of a demand than a question.

"Oh, right," he pressed his lips together and turned red, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, we thought you'd ought to stay here, because it was late already, and I had some clothes around, so, thank god you had an undershirt on, I changed you. How else would you have on my sweats and flannel?"

I stared at him blankly.

"And my pants?"

"Yeah, uh, I'm sorry but I had to!"

"Luke!"

"I didn't do anything! Just changed your pants!"

I fall back to the ground.

"I feel violated," I huff.

"I'm sorry," Luke pouted, wrapping an arm around me. "I won't violate you anymore without your permission. Promise," he smiles widely and I laugh, lightly slapping his chest.

"Come on, Hemmings, I'm hungry. Pancakes and bacon, please. Maybe some sausages." I stand up and head towards the door. I hear Luke standing up.

"Well, I am a great cook, if I do say so myself." Luke boasted.

Luke set the plate in front of me. I looked at the failed Mickey Mouse pancakes and the three sausages. He set one plate of bacon between him and I.

"Mum is at work. We don't tell her we used all this bacon. No matter how many times she asks, deny, deny, deny."

"Luke, I'm not an idiot," I laugh, "it's not a hard concept to understand."

He shrugged, and it was quiet.

"Do you like the pancakes?" He asked after I had taken a few bites.

"Absolutely amazing, Chef Hemmings."

He lifted his head and smiled widely. Beautiful smile.

"So, my mom just left me here?" I ask.

"Well, she wasn't sure about it but I assured her you'll be fine. She stayed a bit longer and spoke to my mum after we came downstairs to sleep. I think they life each other." He shrugs.

"Isn't that a good thing?" I ask.

"Yeah, of course, mum is only friends with Mrs. Hood. Calum's mum. It's great that she's associating with yours."

We finished our breakfast and watched some more Modern Family when Luke stood up and grabbed my hand, dragging me off the couch.

"Luke, what're you doing?"

"I want to take you somewhere. A proper place. Just you and I. Trust me."

So this chapter is a bit longer and I really hope you like it because I enjoyed writing this. I can really relate to Ashley this chapter. She's slowly warming up to Luke.

There'll be action next chapter I promise :)