Insomnia - luke hemmings

2.5

S U M M E R

There's a new routine to school now that Luke and I are together. I have to wake up extra early so Luke can drive me too school when he has practice, which has been everyday because championships are coming up. Then I'll sit and watch him and Cal's hour long practice before we meet up with all of our friends.

Surprisingly, Katelyn was very enthusiastic about Luke's friends. It was Benji that tended to shy away. I think he wants to believe they won't accept him for his sexuality, but truly I know they love him.

Luke and I walked around the school, it's the last period of the day and we both had free period. "Are you going to my house after school?" I ask, swinging our hands together.

"If that's what you want to do." He pops his gum and pulls us into a bench. I play with our fingers while he naps on my shoulder till the bell rings and school is over.

When we get to his car and climb in, the music from earlier blasts through. Luke instantly turns it down and changes to the radio. He waits a second for the parking lot to become more vacant before heading home. "My championship game is tomorrow. Wanna go? Michael and Ashton will be there to keep you company."

"Of course I want to go." I smile to myself, happy he invited me to go. We park the car at Luke's house. He runs inside to change out of his uniform and comes back out with his boyish look and a backpack.

"I'd figure we could study together?" He asks.

"Yeah. Let's go."

As we approach my house I squint at the familiar car. It couldn't be though, not now. "Luke." I'm starting to panic, I can feel it in my lungs.

"Baby, what?" Luke laughs obviously not sensing my panic.

"I think that my parents are home." His eyes shoot to mine instantly. We both stop walking. I'm scared and I shouldn't be yet I am.

"No, don't shut down." Luke grabs my shoulders and holds my wandering eyes. "You're going to walk in there and keep your head up. They're in the wrong here, not you."

I nodded, not knowing what to say. I'm still scared and all I want to do is crawl into bed and cuddle with Luke. As we approach my house he keeps an arm around my waist and murmurs words of comfort. The door is unlocked and Luke opens it up for us to enter. When I see the living room bare I can't help but think this is a dream. "Mom, Dad!" I yell looking around the top of the staircase and the high ceilings.

  A woman comes into view. Her once golden blonde hair has begun to fade into dull light brown. Wrinkles have formed under her eyes and around her mouth. She's aging but beautiful like I remember. "Summer, come give me a hug!" I don't think she's noticed Luke that lingers behind. Her heels click against the hardwood floors as she saunters over to me embracing me into a hug. "You look so good!"

"T-thanks mom. Is uh Dad here?"  I refuse to hug her back and squirm out of her arms.

"Yeah of course. Andrew, she's home!" She turns and yells before turning back to me with a smile. "I went to go cook something but the fridge was empty. We should go grocery shopping! Like we used to when you were little." She's so happy. Suspiciously happy.

My dad walks in the room with his usual firm frown. Unlike mom his hair is still dark brown, barely wrinkled face, yet he still seems aged. He also noticed my lanky boyfriend in the corner of the room. "Who's that Summer?"

I turn to Luke and smile holding my hand out to him. He takes it and stands beside me, smiling at my parents. "This is Luke, my boyfriend." I introduce. "Luke this is my mom Marjorie and my dad Andrew."

Mom gasps and looks to me. "So instead of working on your school you've been fooling around with your little boyfriend?"

Dad nods. "I agree with your mother Summer. We left so you could become better at school. No wonder you didn't receive a 4.0 last year."

Tears well in my eyes.

"With all do respect Mr and Mrs. Royce, you're daughter has been doing great in school. Actually we were just coming here to do some studying." Luke pulls out his textbook, raising it to my parents eyes. "Besides I've seen this girl work her but off on school. You don't have the right to shame her."

Everyone's silent. I squeeze Luke's hand in thanks. "Well. I will say that I regretted not coming back for the holidays. We're just trying to do what we think is best as parents." Mom admitted, staring at Dad for a moment before reaching out to me and rubbing my arm. "I apologize. And Luke you seem like a good guy."

"Thank you Mrs. Royce." Luke nods, smiling.

"Listen, I don't care if you're with Luke. As long as you keep your grades up, do what you want to." Dad rolls his eyes.

"Thank you Dad." I smile. I group hug my parents and when I pull away I'm crying.

"Luke sweetie, do you want to stay for dinner?" Mom asks.

"If you don't mind, yeah." He rubs the back of his neck. God he looks so handsome.

"Where's your accent from?"

"I'm from Australia."

Mom smiles. "What city?"

"Outside of Sydney." He nods.

I chime in at this moment, needing to process away from my parents. "Me and Luke will be in the basement."

"Okay, I'll call you when dinners ready." Mom smiles, dismissing us. I can't believe they're back.