Ch12
She awoke with a slight throb in her head. She looked around, her eyes trying to adjust to the newfound light. There were brown curtains hanging along the windows of the room she slept in. It wasn't her room, but the curtains were familiar. She turned over onto her stomach and hugged the pillow at her side, nestling her face into it. She breathed in the familiar cologne, and knew in that instant where she was. She sat up to get a better look. She was definitely in Luke's apartment.
She stood up from the bed and walked out of the room. She felt the draft on her legs and looked down to see she was in a pair of shorts and a long button up shirt of Luke's. She saw him in the kitchen making breakfast. She hesitantly walked forward.
"Hey," she croaked. He turned and looked at her.
"Hi." He said quietly, unsure if they were okay.
"So…what happened?" She asked, unsure of how to ask the question. Had she dreamed the whole thing? Was she still dreaming?
"I got word last night after I uh…visited you, that head courters had been attacked, I knew people were looking for the elixir and I snuck in, grabbed the vile before I was detected. The next morning I went to visit you but you weren't there. I knew something was wrong so I went looking for you."
She nodded as she put the pieces together. "So, the gas? And was anyone hurt?"
"The gas was me, and no. Everyone is fine."
"And the clothes? How did I get into them?" She asked as her arms folded across her chest.
He rolled his eyes. "You were awake for a split second and changed clothes before you passed out. And for the record Bella, we used to take baths together."
"Okay, when we were 4!" The room went quiet then suddenly the two erupted into laughter as their precious childhood memories flooded into their minds.
"Come here." He said as he held an arm out to her.
She hesitantly put one foot in front of the other then stopped. She didn't know if she could handle being in his arms. She looked around and saw wedding binders on the table, he was still getting married.
"Where’s Candice?" She asked casually as she sat at the bar.
"Come on, don't be like that."
"Like what?"
"Distant. I just wanted a hug."
She looked away, her lips pursed. She looked back at him. "I don't think you understand what's going on Luke. The other night, I couldn't tell if that was the alcohol talking or your actual feelings, but you're obviously still getting married."
"Bella, I don't want this to come between our friendship."
"It already has…you have no idea what your hugs mean to me right now Luke…it makes me hope. And I shouldn't hope because…because you're not in love with me. You're in love with her."
"Bella-"
"Stop. Just stop…" She stood up from the bar stool and started walking to his room. "Thank you for rescuing me, and thank you for being a great friend and partner to me all these years, but I think it's best that we go our separate ways now."
"No! Bella!" He pleaded as he rushed after her, grabbing her hand and turning her around, noticing the tears on her cheeks.
"I look forward to receiving the wedding invite, look forward to seeing you happy up there. But this is over."
