Coming Up For Air

1.2

"Cause I'd rather waste my life pretending

Than have to forget you for one whole minute

They taped over your mouth

Scribbled out the truth with their lies"

-Paramore, 'crushcrushcrush'

⚑ Luke ⚐

Ashton left at 9:42. Luke remembered because he had looked down at his phone, already wondering when it would be long enough for it to be okay to text him.

They stood at the door for a moment, staring at each other from opposite sides of the frame.

"You have my number, right?" Luke asked awkwardly.

"Yeah. And you?"

"Yeah. I've got it."

"Good." Ashton said, bouncing uncomfortably on the balls of his feet. "Listen--about earlier--,"

"Don't worry about it." Luke interrupted, feeling his heart sink. "I--we were tired."

"I--oh. Yeah." Ashton said, his gaze dropping. "Yeah. I'll...see you around then?"

"Sure." Luke told him.

Neither of them moved.

Neither of them spoke.

They were doing the staring thing again.

Several tense hours passed in twelve blinks of an eye.

"I've got class--,"

"Yeah I have work--,"

"This was fun--,"

"Really good, yeah--,"

"I'm gonna--"

"Yeah, I think I'll just--,"

"Be going--"

"Leave so--,"

"Bye."

"Later."

Slam.

Luke threw himself on the couch in frustration.

Later?

-

You: Hey.

10:42 am

You: Dude I know you're in school right now but I took a sick day at work and really really need to talk to you.

10:57 am

You: I know I got pissed last time we talked and I'm sorry but I need you. We've been friends for long enough for you to know I never ask for anything but I'm asking for this. Begging, even. I'm confused as fuck and I don't know if I can figure this out by myself.

10:59 am

You: Please. I'll do anything.

11:06

Louis: Even make me cake pops?

11:07

You: Anything you want. That's really strange, though.

11:07

Louis: Fine. Meet me at the Bell in twenty?

11:09

You: A bar? In the morning?

11:10

Louis: It's just Gracie working. She won't judge us.