more ↠ lrh

twenty-four

"Hellloooo???" 

I furrowed my eyebrows, moving a hand to my face, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. 

A knock sounded at the door, making me jump. I realized that I wasn't in my bed at my apartment but instead, on Luke's couch, which wasn't comfortable, his arms tightly wound around my waist.

I sat up and stretched, wrapping a free blanket around me, draping the other one across Luke before moving to the door.

I didn't even bother looking through the peephole but instead, threw open the door, looking at whomever was on the other side. 

"Arabella!" Ashton grinned, coming forward and wrapping his arms tightly around me.

"Ash, I'm naked." I groaned, pushing him off of me.

"Sorry," he smirked, his eyes drifting towards the sleeping blonde boy on the couch. "What happened here?"

I kicked my ripped panties underneath the couch before sending a smile to Ashton. "We were just...talking. You know, we fell asleep."

"Naked?" He cocked an eyebrow at me.

"It's healthier for your body." I shrugged, smiling at him.

I let Luke sleep, changing into a pair of sweatpants and one of his shirts, sitting beside Ashton at the bar.

"I brought breakfast for Luke but-"

I grabbed the coffee and biscuit, smiling. "Thank you."

I ate breakfast with Ashton, his arm draped across my shoulder as we whispered about stupid stuff, per usual.

"So, you two talked?" Ashton smirked.

I nodded, finishing breakfast before scooting closer and setting my head on his shoulder. "Why are you here?"

"What?" Ashton scoffed, pretending to be offended. "I can't bring my mate some breakfast?"

"Have you ever?"

He pouted, biting his lip. "Fine. I came here because you weren't at your apartment."

"So, you just assumed that I was here?"

Ashton shrugged, making me smile and let out a laugh. I heard some grunts and groans coming from the boy on the couch, making me turn my head and look at Luke.

He propped himself up on his elbows, a tired smile spreading across his lips at the sight of me. "Hey."

"Hey." Ashton quipped, moving over to sit on the couch with Luke.

"Hey..Ashton?" Luke raised his eyebrows at me but I just shrugged.

"I brought breakfast but Aria ate it."

"Sorry." I chuckled, sitting on the opposite side of Luke, putting my legs across his lap.

He smiled at me, taking my hand and kissing it softly. I snuggled into his shoulder, meeting Ashton's eyes.

"There are so many things we have to do today," I gestured towards Ashton in hopes that he'll leave. "Luke and I have to-"

"I'm going." He frowned, patting Luke's shoulder before winking at me and leaving the apartment.

I grinned, easily moving onto his lap, relaxing against him. He smiled up at me as I brushed my fingers through his blonde mess of hair.

He sighed, closing his eyes, enjoying the feeling of my fingers brushing against his scalp. I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

He was shocked but wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me against him. 

"I love you." I whispered to him.

He rubbed my back softly, kissing my neck. "I love you."

I pulled back and met his eyes, absolutely mesmerized by his blue eyes. I smiled and leaned down and kissed his lips. I lingered there, just taking in the way his lips felt pressed against mine.

"So," I said, my forehead pressing against his. "So, you wrote letters?"

"I sent letters," he said, brushing a piece of hair from my face. "You never wrote back."

"Have you been sending them to my parent's house?"

He nodded. "I moved into the city."

He raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

"Yeah, a block away from the Hideout, actually." I said, moving my hands through his hair again.

I suddenly remembered how I used to play with his hair and when he moved it, it would stand up straight on his head. 

I let out a chuckle, pressing another kiss to his lips. "I have class in an hour."

"Class? For what?"

"I'm back in law school," I said, starting to move off his lap but he stopped me, his fingers tightly holding me in place. "It's the only school my dad's paying for right now, I am writing though."

"You are?" He asked, raising his eyebrows. 

"Yeah," I nodded. "I've been hanging out with everyone a lot lately."

"I didn't know that," he said, frowning. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Luke," I said, resting my hands on his neck. "But I understand why you let me go, I appreciate it, it helped me find myself."

He nodded. "Good."

"I have to go home and shower and change, go to class, run by my parents house to get those letters, and I'll be back, yeah?"

He nodded again, pressing a long kiss to my lips. "I'll miss you."

"Find a way to entertain yourself," I smirked, moving off his lap as he laughed. "Not like that."

"Sure, babe." He smiled as I pulled on my shoes and grabbed my purse. 

I opened his door and started to leave but he grabbed my hand, pulling me back into his arms, kissing me. "I love you."

I smiled against his lips, wrapping my arms around his waist, kissing him again. "I love you too, Luke."