What I Like About You

7. Long Way Home

7.

Toni's POV
    Talking to Luke before we started dating was hard. Now, that I'm dating him and talking to him feels like the whole world and Jupiter are weighing down on me. Dizzy told me this is what she felt when we left Ash and I believed her but I guess not to the full extent. School has been getting harder and more stupid. I started to doze off more. My time has been consumed of talking to Luke, the boys and trying to play catch up. It's been hard and it fucking sucks. Dizzy, however, has started to change a little. She was still crazy, rebellious Dizzy but her attendance has gone up a little. I asked her one day when we were hanging at her house. She told me that my 'good girl' ways have rubbed off on her. I pushed her and she giggled. "It's true... sorta.", "Sorta?", "Your 'good girl' ways have rubbed off on me. But... I was also thinking for myself, I need to think about my life. I want to be a actress or songwriter.", "That's amazing! I'm so proud of you!", "Stop it. Come on, let's bake some cookies before my brother eats the dough.", "But that's the best part."

My phone rang in the middle of the night. I was still at Dizzy's when I woke up with a jolt. "Shut up! Stupid phone" I whisper yell at my phone. I grab it and check to see who it is. It's a certain Luke Hemmings. I quietly walk out of the room into the bathroom. I fixed my hair before answering the FaceTime call. "Hey." I smile at my boyfriend. It feels great to say that. Luke said hi back along with the rest of the boys. "We wanted to make a video of Luke for you sis. Say hi Luke." Ashton says. I can't see Ash though because he's taking the video. "You're all idiots." Luke laughs. "I don't really know what to say." Luke giggles and scratches the back of his neck. "Don't look at us dude. You're the lucky guy." Mikey yells at Luke. "Hey babe. I'm in Tokyo with these weirdos. I hope I can see you soon." Luke smiles through the phone camera. "Dude you have to do better than that. That wasn't cute. You need to swoon her." Calum yells at him. Luke sighs but smiles back at the camera. "I love you babe." I smile at Luke. "I love you too." "Aww you two are so cute! You're one lucky girl, Toni." I laugh at Mikey's girliness. "Yeah I know Mikey." I tell him. Luke winks at me and Ash hands him the phone and the boys leave telling me goodbye and I tell Ash I'll call him later. "What time is it there?" Luke asks me. I check the time on my phone. "11:31." I shrug. "Sorry. I guess it's kinda late. Did I wake you?" Luke asks worried. "Yeah, but that's ok. I probably would've woken up around this time anyways." Luke smiles at me. "What's been keeping you up?", "I just miss you and uni has been a pain in the ass." I chuckle. "Princess, I'm sure you'll get through it. Don't you graduate soon?" I smile. "Yeah. Dizzy and I graduate in about a month." Luke smiles at me. "You can make it till then. I believe in you." I smile at Luke. "But if you were here, it would be so much easier." I tell him. I see Ashton appear out of the corner of the phone. "Hey Ash." I say, waving to him. He didn't say hi back, though. He held his phone in his hand and kept recording. "And here you'll see a smitten Luke FaceTiming Toni, my sister." Ash smiles at the camera and then back at us. Luke shoves Ash away. "Shut up! I just miss her." Luke looks back at me. I check my phone again. "It's 12:30. I need to go." Luke smiles at me and blows me a kiss. "I love you princess. I'll talk to you soon." "Love you too, Lukey." I hung up. I missed him already. I went back to Dizzy's room and fell onto the bed. I thought about Luke as I quickly drifted to sleep.

...

Luke made sure to call me everyday. From them on, I paid extreme attention in my classes. For two reasons. One, Luke was an extremely good persuader. I don't think he had to try very hard because he's so damn gorgeous. Second, if I didn't start passing my classes, I wouldn't be able to be where I am today. Dizzy was so proud of me and I was proud of her. She was passing her classes and was basically her teacher's pet. The pride and joy of their classes. She hated the extra attention but she was happy she was getting the hell out of there. Finally the day came. Graduation. Dizzy and I actually about to graduate. We had gone shopping a few hours earlier to pick out our dresses. We found the perfect dresses. Dizzy looked so edgy and elegant. She said she felt like a Coachella chick who's trying to look like Angelina Jolie. Dizzy said I looked like her. A badass chick who don't take crap from no one. I joked and said that she got that from me. She threw a fry at me and I laughed. By the end of the shopping hours, we got to school looking fly as all hell. Everyone else was so preppy and proper. Yuck. There was supposed to be some type of after party after the graduation but Dizzy and I were thinking of having our own party. Just me and her and our phones, talking to the boys all night. Speaking of, Dizzy FaceTimed Ashton to show him our graduation outfits. "Hey babe.", "Hey sweetie, how are you?", "I'm fine, the guys and I just got done eating. How are you?", "Toni and I just went shopping. I can't believe I'm actually graduating! My dad didn't think I could make it. My mom is even going to be there. It's been awhile since I've seen my mom." Dizzy rambles on. I just sat there. I would speak up later but I wasn't about to rain on Dizzy's parade. Everything was going so well for her. She gave me her phone when she went to the bathroom to wash up. "Hey squirt. Excited to finally be done with school?" Ash asks me. "Yeah I just wish you and mum and Lauren and Harry could be there to watch me.", "I'm sorry we can't make it. You don't know how much mum wants to go. But I'm sure you'll do fine with or without us there." I smile. "Yeah... I'm sure." I saw Dizzy walk out of the bathroom. "Ash, we need to go. Give everyone my love. Especially Luke." Ash shakes his head but says he will and that he loves me and Dizzy. I hang up and Dizzy and I make our way to the auditorium where the graduation is being held.