Night || Luke Hemmings

3

Michael was right.

Jay Blue was home schooled and I could do nothing about it. I concluded it was Jay Blue who sat on the rooftop and looked up to the sky. Since Sunday when she came home, she would climb to up to see the stars. 

I desperately wanted to talk to her. I know it's funny when I say that, I've never had a full on conversation with her. I knew so much about her, but she probably didn't know a thing about me, let alone my name. It was hopeless. 

Today was Friday and I debated with myself if I should go over and ask Jay Blue if I could take her. She doesn't even know me. She'll probably think I'm a weirdo. What if she thinks I'm being lame? 

I called Michael over to help me on my self-confidence. He chuckled at my nervousness when I struggled with my bow tie. 

"You'll be fine man," he spoke placing his hand on my shoulder as we looked into my wall length mirror. 

"I sure hope so," I replied putting on my black coat. I told my parents who were lounging in our library room that we were leaving and swiftly walked across the street. 

I took a deep breath before walking on the path to the door of the McLeans, the house that held Jay Blue. I took another deep breath straightening my back and rang the doorbell. I gasped silently as Jay Blue opened the door, her presence taking me off guard. Our eyes met and she softly smiled, something I missed seeing in class. 

"Jay dear, who is that?" A faint voice called, who I assumed was her mother's. 

"It's Luke and his friend mom." I felt the heat rise to my cheeks and I looked down not wanting them to see me blush. 

She knew my name! 

"Hello boys, what brings you here?" I gulped before answering her mother who appeared next to Jay Blue. 

Okay Luke, this is it. 

"Well...tonight is the school dance and I wanted to see if Jay Blue...would like to...join me." I nervously said. My hands at my side grasping my pants. I looked everywhere but her mother's eyes who intimidated me to the core. I soon heard giggling behind them and recognized it from the sisters. 

"Well I don't think that would be a great id-"

"Mom please! You've locked me in this house forever. Just this once and I'll be home before it ends. I promise!" Jay Blue interupted, begging her mother. I softly smiled at Jay Blue's excitement to go with us. I was excited myself. 

"Jay, honey-"

"I'll go with her!" Amy exclaimed raising her hand interrupting their mother again. I saw Michael who was behind me quickly fix his hair and stiffen his stance. 

"Alright you may." Their mother exclaimed sighing and the girls squealed, oblivious to Michael and I standing there. They were so joyous and full of life. I looked to Michael who smirked at me before flicking his eyes between Jay Blue and I. 

"Luke, we'll go get ready. We'll be down in a second, okay?" Jay Blue smiled at me and quickly ran up the stairs to her house. Their mother invited us in leading us into the living room where we sat comfortably on their soft couches. I noticed their father who sat in the recliner watching the History channel, but the way his eyes were glued into the screen he was thinking of something else on his mind. He noticed our presence and tore his eyes off of the screen turning his attention to us. 

"Hey boys. You live across the street right?" He pointed to me and I nodded but felt that was too informal. 

"Yes sir." I corrected myself. 

"That nice. You're Luke? Who's your friend here?" He asked pointing wearily to Michael. 

"Oh...I'm Michael. I lived a few houses down sir," he spoke. Before their father 

"Eugene, these boys are taking Amy and Jay out." She spoke placing her hands on our shoulders giving them a slight squeeze. Before their father, Eugene, could say anything else footsteps stomped loudly down the stair well.

Michael and I stood up and walked with their mother to the front door where the end of the staircase met. My mouth widened as my eyes met Jay Blue once again. She wore a long peach dress that flowed at every step she took. It had long sleeves that bunched up at her wrists. 

"You look lovely," I nervously spoke as she walked up to me. She blushed a deep red as well as I did. Amy awkwardly stood next to Michael who did nothing but smile at her. 

Their mother, who's name I learned was Cathy, took our pictures with her Polaroid camera and smiled at us. I hesitantly placed my hand on the lower part of Jay Blue's back for the picture in which she inched closer. The familiar scent of vanilla engulfed my nostrils and I felt at ease, relaxed, satisfied. As we began to walk out, Eugene placed his hands on my shoulder and I looked up to his eyes. They looked tired and drained without emotions but he nodded to me. I took this sign as to keep Jay Blue safe and so I nodded back. 

Michael's older brother Matt, agreed to be our chauffeur as long as we paid him. As expected, he arrived at 6:00 in front of our house. 

I walked beside Jay Blue, feeling the intense feeling in my stomach. We walked in silence, the sound of our foot steps slapping against the cemented path. 

I held open the door to the beat up station wagon for Jay Blue as she crawled in. She seemed excited as she was always smiling ear to ear. I sat in the back with her as Michael sat in the front with Amy. 

"Thank you for taking me," Jay Blue whispered in my ear. I smiled to her and nodded my head.

"It's my pleasure." I said as I smiled softly to her. 

I couldn't believe this was happening. 

We didn't talk after that, actually no one did. It was very awkward and the silence was choking us. I was too shy to speak up, knowing if I did I would have everyone's attention. Instead, the radio comforted us for a short while until we arrived to the school. 

The gymnasium was seen from the road as balloons were decorated outside the entrance. Calum and Ashton were spotted at a pole near the entrance as we climbed out of the car. We said a quick thank you to Matt who waved us off. I held Jay Blue's hand for a brief moment as she stepped out. Her fingertips gazed my own and I wanted to hold her hand the whole night. Unfortunately, I became too nervous and quickly stuffed my hands into my pockets. 

Calum and Ashton met us by the entrance and we all walked in. Suddenly, I felt a warmth engulf my hand. I looked down and noticed it was Jay Blue's hand intertwined with mine. I felt myself breathing heavily and the butterflies in my stomach were blowing up to pieces. My focus was on Jay Blue as she smiled up to me and the redness in her cheeks getting deeper and deeper. Before we knew it, the music had stopped an everyone in the room was focused on her.

 I soon felt her hand disappear from mine as she ran away, escaping the stares.