Imagine A World (Luke Hemmings a.u.) [in editing]

18 City

Luke's POV

"Alright, we'll meet you two back at the hotel at 2, okay?"

I nod, assuring Ashton that we'll return in time, then grab her hand and pull her along the busy sidewalk.

"Where are we going first?" Madeline asks me, a smile spread wide across her face.

"You'll see. Just be patient."

"I've been patient my whole life, I'm tired of it! Tell me where we're going!"

"No! I don't want to spoil it for you! Be quiet and don't let go of my hand, I don't want you getting lost."

We weave through the New York streets until we finally come to the right place.

"Central Park?" she reads the large sign, raising an eyebrow at me.

"We aren't there quite yet, Madeline," I laugh, and continue pulling her along once I've adjusted my guitar, which is slung across my back.

The park isn't nearly as busy as the streets surrounding it. We pass by several hot dog and ice cream vendors, and I promise Madeline that we'll stop at one soon.

"How much longer?" she moans.

"Stop complaining and enjoy the scenery."

She pouts, making me laugh.

"We're almost there, don't worry," I tell her after a minute. Her face lights up.

"Here we are!" I say, spreading my arms out in front of me. She looks underwhelmed.

"A rock?"

"It's got a great view of the pond, lighten up, St. George," I order her, placing the blanket down and sitting on it, patting the ground beside me.

She rolls her eyes, but she plops down next to me, taking my hand in hers once more. I feel my face heat up, but I don't know why.

"So why did you bring your guitar?" she asks, nudging it lightly.

I grin at her and remove it from my back. "You didn't think that just because we're in New York that you get to slack off on your lessons, did you?"

She groans. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. Well...maybe for another reason, but we'll get to that after lunch."

She sighs as I hand her the guitar. "Alright, now, I want you to continue with your finger plucking technique..."

*******

"Awesome! You're getting really good, Mad," I praise her as she plays the Heartbreak Girl riff flawlessly.

"Thanks," she replies, blushing. "Hey, could we have some lunch soon?"

"Yeah, sure, I think there's a hot dog vendor right down there."

We buy our lunch, two hot dogs each, and return to our spot.

"Hey, what that noise?" Madeline asks through a mouthful of hot dog.

I strain my ears, and I hear music floating up from under the rock cliff where we're seated. The two of us peer over the rocks, and have to stifle our laughter.

There's a grown man standing down on the small rocky area below us, just next to the pond. He's lip syncing to a camera while pretending to play guitar, and he's surrounded by creepy vegetable puppets.

"🎶So come on and play outside with the Super Sprowts!🎶"

"What the hell is this?" Madeline whispers, not taking her eyes off the strange sight.