more ↠ lrh

twenty-eight

"Arabella, wait!"

I sobbed as I continued down the street, away from the boy with the blue eyes who yelled for me.

"Bell, please." Luke grabbed my hand, spinning me around to face him.

I pulled my hand away, shoving harshly at his chest. "You're leaving again?"

He sighed heavily again, reaching out to me. "Bell, please just calm down-"

"No, I'm not going to calm down, Luke, you're moving to Australia!" I said, pushing him again. "You're leaving me again!"

"I was actually hoping that you would come with me."

"What?" I nearly choked. "No, Luke, I can't just quit school and leave my family-"

"You hate school here, you hardly ever even see your family, come on, baby," he begged, grabbing my hands. "Move there with me, we can live together again."

"I can't just up and leave with you, Luke," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I can't leave school, I need the money for-"

"Bell, please," he said, his hands going to my face. "Come with me."

"I-I can't," I said, pulling his hands from my face. "Why are you moving there anyways?"

"I'm broke, Bell," he said, pushing tears from his cheeks. "I lost my job after the accident, you weren't there to help, and I can't even afford my apartment anymore."

"Stay with me then," I said, grabbing his hands. "My parents can support us-"

"No, Bell," he said, wrapping his arms around me. "My dad already offered me a job and Calum and I are going to get a flat together."

I set my head against his chest and sighed, wrapping my arms around his torso. "That's why you wanted to see me again. Because you knew you were leaving?"

He nodded, shamefully, setting his hands on my cheeks. "I couldn't just leave you."

"Maybe this would be easier if you did." I said, pulling away from him. 

"What? Bell, I still want to spend the last week with you."

"A week? That's it?" I scoffed, turning my back to him. "Were you even going to tell me?"

"Yeah.." he said, running a hand through his hair. "Eventually."

"I'm sorry, Luke," I said, starting the walk back to my apartment. "I can't do this."

"Bell, please," he said, grabbing my hand. "Don't leave me."

"I'd never leave you, Luke," I said, pulling my hand away. "I guess the feeling isn't mutual."

I stepped forward and pressed my lips against his, remembering the way his lips felt against mine because I likely wouldn't feel it again.

His hands went to my waist, wrapping his arms around me as he kissed me back, his lips moving against mine. I kissed my forehead softly. "I love you."

"I love you too," I whispered, kissing his lips again. "So much."

He hugged me tightly, pressing a kiss to my neck. "See you later, Arabella."

I pulled away, kissing his knuckles before turning my back and heading to my apartment. "Goodbye, Luke."

***

"Arabella? Are you here?"

I moved from my spot on the couch and into the boy's arms who stood in my doorway. 

I sobbed against his chest as he wrapped his arms around me. "Aria, don't cry-"

I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck, digging my face into his chest. "Just be quiet, Ashton."

I let out a shaky breath, closing my eyes. He easily picked me up off my feet and moved to my bedroom, where he sat me on the bed.

He pulled the covers over me, brushing my hair from my face. "Please just sleep, okay? I hate seeing you cry-"

"Stay with me?"

"Arabella, I don't think that's a good idea-"

"Please." I begged, grabbing his hand.

He sighed, dropping my hand and kicking off his shoes before getting underneath the covers. I turned over, setting my head on his chest.

Ashton was tense underneath me, hesitant to wrap his arm around me. He sighed again before finally pulling me close to him, moving a hand around my waist.

A few tears fell down my cheeks before I fell asleep, Ashton's thumbs brushing the tears from my cheeks.

"It's alright, Arabella."