Never || punk l.h.

Chapter 35

BLAKELY'S POV

(One day; nineteen hours)

"Got everything?" Matthew asks as I step out into the hall.

"Yep," I say, lightly tapping my bag. He and I walk back to the car in silence until a familiar person comes rushing our way.

First, all I see is his bandana. Then I take in the expression on his face and become really paranoid.

"Blakely!" As soon as he notices me he sprints over with wide eyes. "Blakely... Luke is gone."

My heart skips a beat. "What do you mean 'gone'?"

"He left. He left campus. He left London. He's gone. He left you a letter." Ashton pulls out a folded up piece of paper from his back pocket.

My eyes have started to tear up, so Ashton pulls me in for a hug, towering over me. "Look. It's okay. He'll come back," Ashton says, reassuringly.

Then I become angry and pull out of the hug. "But Ashton he won't come back," I say through gritted teeth. "I'm leaving tomorrow, so there won't be any 'coming back' from him for me! Did he not even think about that? I should've seen this coming.... Why did I ever go to that stupid party?" I ask the last question partly to myself.

Then I notice a green head. Ashton had called Michael over just in time to hear the end of my little rant. "C'mon Blakely. You know you wouldn't trade these last few months for anything."

If looks could kill, then Michael would be six feet under right now, but I do this only because I know he's right. "You don't know that," I lie.

Michael laughs. "Blakely, you're a terrible liar." He places his hands on my shoulders. "Don't worry okay?"

"Why do I get the feeling you guys know something that I don't?" Matthew hadn't even said anything, but I could tell he knew something.

Ashton's eyes show actual panic for a split second, but then he masks it with fake worry. I don't know how I can tell this, but I just know they're hiding something. "Trust me, we're all just as worried about him as you are."

Michael looks at me sadly. After a minute of silence he pulls me into a hug. "I'm going to miss you."

This brings a tear to my eye. "Nah. I'll still annoy you over the phone and stuff, Clifford." He laughs at the name I've given him. "But thank you, for being my best friend."

I hug Ashton next. "Thank you for basically being my brother during all this," I say, my voice muffled by him jacket.

"Anytime kiddo," he replies as he ruffles my hair.

"Don't call me kiddo! It's only a two year difference!" I exclaim, throwing my hands up in mock frustration.

"Almost three."

I glare at him playfully, making him laugh. "Um. Blakely I think we should get going," Matthew reminds me. I nod and hug both boys one more time.

Matthew and I walk back to the car in silence. I glance back one last time to two more people I'll be leaving behind.