~Next Morning~
I woke up to the sound of a cars engine starting. I walked out of my room and looked out the window above the stairs to see both Liz's and Andrew's car pull out, Luke's still in the driveway. I walked carefully down to the kitchen and rummaged around, searching for anything I could eat. I couldn't handle going today, I felt fairly hungover although I never got drunk necessarily, but I'm a lightweight and any alcohol makes me feel sick. I don't ever feel drunk and I don't act it whatsoever, I'm just normal Katrina, just a bit happier.
I made a glass of orange juice and sat at the table, downing 2 painkillers. I closed my eyes and laid my head in my hands. "Praying?" I heard a voice say. I looked up and saw that it was Ashton. "Hey" I said, the second I looked in his eyes I remembered last night. The kiss. "Ashton" I said looking down at my shoes. "Do you remember what happened last night?" I asked. "What no?" he said, crossing his arms.
"Wellbasicallyyouweredrunkandmichaelwasflirtingwithmeandyougotreallymadthenweweretalkingandthenyoukissedme" I said quickly, not stuttering once. "What no" he laughed. "Of all people why would I kiss you? You're my best friends annoying little cousin" he said, cracking himself up. I was speechless. My lips parted slightly, not allowing my jaw to fully drop. I started to say something before I cut myself off, letting him finish his rant.
"You? Come on Katrina you can do better than that" he said in between laughs. "Ashton-" I started before he interrupted. "Katrina, be realistic here. I'm not sure if this is a joke or not but if it isn't know I was drunk alright. If you can't tell I'm the drunk that likes to have fun, I don't care who it's with. Don't feel special" He said shaking his head. I didn't say a word before walking out as quick as possible.
I got halfway up the stairs before he called my name. "Katrina" he shouted. "What Ashton?" I asked, my voice breaking when I said his name. "Why are you getting so flustered over this?" he asked, no emotion in his voice whatsoever. "I'm not" I said under my breath and took another step up. "Katrina" he said again, deeper. "Okay! Maybe because I actually thought for a split second you could like me. That you could have a heart" I croaked before storming back upstairs, slamming the door behind me.
I sat on the floor with my back against my bed. I wiped my eyes, trying to convince myself I'm not upset about this. I couldn't hold it back anymore as tears spilled from my eyes, I was so stupid.
I looked up and saw Luke stood in my doorway. "Luke get out" I said quietly. He stepped in and closed the door behind him and walked over to me. "Kat, what's wrong?" he asked. Although we never got along we always hated to see each other cry, we never cry so when we do it's something big. He put his arms around me and pulled me close to his chest. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked and pushed my hair out of my eyes. "Not really" I mumbled. "Okay, I'm making you. What happened?" he asked again. "You'll kill him" I whispered. "That's not a good start" he joked. "Not helping" I sighed. He chuckled softly. "Give me a general idea then" he said and slowly rocked me in his arms, like he always has whenever I'm upset.
"So this person kissed me one night. He was drunk but I was kind of starting to think that he could possibly have feelings for me and he was actually sweet under all the toughness he'd show on the outside. But then he completely shut me down and I feel like shit for being so stupid" I vented. "Was it someone we both know? I'm so sorry Kat, whoever they are they don't deserve you. You're amazing. Even though I don't act like it, I love you and you're very important to me" he said.
I then remembered what Ashton said about Luke telling everyone not to flirt with me, now I realize he was only doing it to protect me from this.
"Thank you Luke. I love you too. Can we try to put all this fighting beside us, please?" I asked and looked up into his eyes. He paused. "On our own, yes. In public, no" he said. I mentally rolled my eyes, he always cared so much about his reputation. "Deal" I said with a smile. "When the boys leave, how about ice cream and a Friends marathon?" he suggested. "That would be great" I agreed. "Alright, I'm gonna go get the boys and go downstairs, we're.. working on something so don't come down" he said. I nodded as Luke helped me up. "Later" he said and ruffled my hair.
I smiled to myself as he walked out, I loved this Luke, the real Luke that didn't try to hide his true kindness. I walked over to my closet and grabbed a pair of clean clothes. I walked to my bathroom and started a bath. I took out a few bath bombs and soaps from under my sink. I deserve it at this point. I locked the door behind me before starting some music and getting into the bath.
Nearly an hour later, I decided to get out. What lured me out was when my music paused between songs I heard the distinct sound of guitars, a bass, and a box drum. I was a total music freak on the side of my obsession with my academics.
Once I finished skincare, towel-drying my hair, and getting dressed. I walked to the top of the stairs and listened down. The boys were.. singing I took a quick glance down. Luke, and Michael were playing guitar, Calum a bass, and... him on a box drum. When they finished a song I walked down to the kitchen, hoping they would play another song. Instead I was met face-to-face with Ashton. "Ashton I don't have anything to say. So do yourself a favor and leave your 'best friend's annoying little cousin' alone" I sneered and walked back upstairs.
I had to admit though, they weren't bad. I was surprised by Luke's voice, I had no idea he could sing. Michael I wasn't too surprised by, he had that singer look to him, I just didn't expect him to be that good. Calum's voice was unique and I could easily distinguish it from the others, but I really liked it. And for Ashton, his arms proved his drumming hobby but I never knew he could sing. He didn't sing nearly as much as the others although he should, his voice is angelic.
That night once all the boys left, Luke came into my room and brought me down to the living room, covering my eyes the entire way down. When he finally uncovered my eyes he revealed our couch covered in blankets with 2 tubs of ice cream and cups of water on the coffee table. "You're the best" I smiled and hugged him tightly, although I was pretty tall I came up to about his chin. "I know" he joked as we walked over to sit down. He turned on Netflix and started Friends. In this moment I couldn't be happier, I couldn't feel safer, and I couldn't be more thankful for my cousin.
Luke helped me realize that when I do fall in love someday, it should be someone that treats me like this all the time. Although Luke and I constantly fought all throughout the time we spent together growing up, we knew deep down that we truly cared about each other. He'd probably never admit any of this out loud but he knows that he cares, he knows he's overly protective, and he knows he'll always be there
That night, Aunt Liz and Uncle Andrew came home to Luke and I passed out on the couch, me in his arms, in a protective way of course. The way he always held me when we hugged, when we cried, when we got along. I realized that my best moments, the most memorable and happy moments of my life, are with Luke.
Hey guys, hopefully I'm not being too overwhelming with all the constant updates. I've just been fairly bored and feeling creative so why not write? Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this fairly dramatic chapter.
Please Vote/Comment because it's nice and stuff.
-Lexi💛
