Adopted By The Hemmings (mgc)

Eighteen

Luna sat in her desk next to Luke in study hall, none of them had had time to go look for Michael, and Luke had worried that he would be late. She felt Luke nudge her arm gently as he questioned,

"Hey, where's your mind at?"

"Nowhere. I'm fine." Luna shook her head as she refused to say anything more. Luke sighed as he turned back to his phone that was lying on his desk. What was she going to do about Lane? Did she want to go through this situation again? Had she learned nothing? She had to admit to herself that she found him attractive and it was nice to have someone take interest in her again. She also needed to keep in mind what the boys had told her about him, constantly leaving girls in the dust when he was done playing. Lane sounded like a bad cliché the more she thought about it.

She let her forehead fall to the desk in a resounding thud. Should she give Lane a chance to be friends, maybe eventually more, or does she listen to the boys and steer clear? She lifted her head at the sound of someone sliding into the seat on her other side to lay eyes on Michael. He barely glanced her way. A lump formed in Luna's throat as she wondered what he was thinking.  Turning to Luke, her voice meek she stated,

"I think I know what I'm going to do."

"What do you mean?"

"About Lane."

"I know that, but what are you going to do?" Luna was quiet as she messaged Liz to get the permission she needed.

"Luke, do you trust me to make my own judgements?"

"Yes?" He questioned as he cocked his head to the side.

"I am going to go with Lane at the end of the day if mum says it's okay. I just want you to know that I'm keeping everything you've told me in mind, and I hope you or the boys won't be upset with me." Luna spoke a little louder toward the end in hopes of Michael hearing her.

"Lu, I'm not upset, plus the boys and I need to have a chat later. If you need me though just be sure to send out a message for help."

Her phone pinged as Liz sent her response. Her heart began pounding in her chest as she had received the okay and a specific time to be home.

"I will, plus mum just gave me a specific time to be home."

Luna glanced over at Michael who appeared to be not paying attention however his hand remained still, hovering over the notebook paper. She turned her body to him, but he still ignored her.

"Mikey?"

He gave a noncommittal grunt in response. Luna's throat felt dry and her voice cracked as she tried again.

"Michael." He glanced up at her, a blank look on his face.

"What Luna?" His voice rasped harshly, causing Luna to fall silent, her shoulders slumping. When she didn't answer the brunette boy turned back to his notebook. After a quick moment, she gathered her things in her bag and walked to the front of the room, selling some cock and bull story so she could leave. With her permission in hand, she left the room as quickly as she could without tripping over her own feet.

She attempted to remember where the bathroom was and set off on her quest to get as far away from Michael as possible. Looking at all the doors she finally found a bathroom, where exactly in the school it was, she wasn't sure. Ducking inside, she slid down the far wall and sat. She tried not to think of how dirty the floor could be.

Her phone buzzed and she knew it was probably Luke checking in. She'd find him when the bell rang. Right now, however, she needed to reflect and figure out a way to act like she wasn't effected.