Insomnia - luke hemmings

2.7

S U M M E R

When I crawl back home from Luke's house, it's quiet and dark. I instantly went to bed knowing in an hour I'd have to wake up for school. When my alarm goes off I wear the same thing I did yesterday. When I get downstairs, Mom and Dad are there in the same position as yesterday.

"Good morning!" Mom chirps. "What time did you get in last night, I didn't hear you come in?"

"Uh, around midnight." I lie biting my lip. Dad hands me a plate of breakfast. "Oh, Luke will be here soon."

Dad rolls his eyes. "No worries, I already told him you'd be eating with us. You said yesterday we'd talk, so we're talking."

"Okay then." I grumble under my breath and head for the table.

Dad joins me and Mom, beginning the conversation. "To get it out of the way we want to apologize for leaving you on Christmas. We felt guilty and knew it was wrong as soon as the holiday began."

I frown. "I accept your apology."

Mom nods. "We want to know what your plans are. Have you applied for school?"

I shake my head. "Applications aren't due till March."

"So tell us your plan." Dad smiles softly.

"I want to go to Australia with Luke. When school ends he has to go back and I want to go with him."

"No." Dad instantly says.

"Dad! That's not fair!" I push my food away and stand up, baffled that he didn't even give me the opportunity to explain myself.

"Summer Royce, sit back down." Mom gives me her eyes. Reluctantly I get back into my seat. "I don't like this idea either. Your still a kid. Following a boy to the other end of the world doesn't make sense to me."

"Will you let me explain, please." They nod. "I love Luke okay? And I know that sounds dumb he loves me too though. There's nothing for me in Beverly. All of the other kids that came from Australia I've become friends with. They're all amazing and I love them."

"I understand that..." my father trails looking over to my mother. "And I will admit we don't plan on staying long. We're only here till you graduate before we have to go back to do real estate in Washington."

"See." I point out.

"Listen, we'll think about it." Mom sighs. "Don't get your hopes up though."

When I get to school I tell Luke everything. He agrees with wanting me to come back to Australia with him, saying he was scared to bring it up. I just need my parents to pull through.