Luke Next Door

Expected Morning Of Embarrassment

The next morning I was still in my black leggings and my majorly oversized dark green sweatshirt. My pizza plate and soda can were still on my nightstand. As always mom was out working with an early shift, and a few chores needed to be done. Stuck to the fridge was a short 3 item list of things left for me to do. #1-take out the trash. #2-let the dog out. #3-take the dish in the fridge to the new neighbors.

I went back up to my room to collect the trash left over on my nightstand and check to see if the new neighbors were up and unpacking yet. Nope, but the grey mustang was gone. Gone to get groceries I guess. I tumble downstairs with the plate in my hands and dump the trash and pick up extra around the house and took it to the curb, with my dog Booze (a big black shelter dog whose breed is super unclear) following close behind until he parts away to relieve himself.

As soon as I place the garbage bin at the curb the mustang motor grows louder and I already see the headlights. I freeze up. Booze brushes against my leg to reassure I'm still alive. The mustang pulls up and parks in the grass in front of the house. Out of the driver's door came the same guy that saw me through the window last night. Booze takes off to greet the stranger and I go chasing after calling out his name. Although there was no need for him to bend over to pet my beast of a dog, the guy dropped to his knees to get level and say Hi to Booze.

"Hi there buddy! Who might you be?" Say's the teen grabbing his collar to read his tags.

I approach a little out of breath. "Hi" I say, "I'm so sorry about him!"

"It's fine I love dogs, what's his name?" Asks the blonde boy still covered in black head to toe.

"This is Booze." I reply

"Booze? Well that's an odd name."

I giggle and corrected myself "Short for Boozer, he's named after my dad."

He looked at me confused "Your dad's name is Boozer?"

I rolled my eyes and explained "No, he was an alcoholic, and left. Boozer is now the only man of the house."

"Ahh! I see." He nods. "You live alone?"

"Kind of, it's just me and my mom. Booze too obviously but mom is usually working."

"Gotcha!" he winks. "I'm Luke. Lucas Hemmings" he gestures reaching out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Luke, welcome to the neighborhood" I say reaching out to shake his hand. " I'm Chris, Christy Taylor."

He lets out a soft snort.

"What!?" I demand.

"Nothing" he looks to make eye contact. "Did you enjoy the view last night?"

I choke on my breath and feel myself turn pale. I cover my face with my hands and start to sniffle.

"No, no you're not suppose to do that!" He panics.

I uncover my face and reach for Booze's collar.

"It's okay" Luke says stroking the same arm I gripped onto Booze with.

I stare at his lip ring. He notices and bites his lip. I sigh and snap out of my trance. Luke isn't sure what to do so I offer help with unpacking if he needs it. As if he were a kid getting candy he didn't hesitate!

"Absolutely! We're going to start once the trash gets picked up."

On cue in the distance the sound of the garbage truck is faint and traveling closer.

"Are you going to be missed for about 10 minutes?" I ask.

Luke's eyes get huge he looks around and shrugs. With one hand I've got Booze and in the other I'm guiding Luke into my house. We get inside and Booze hops on the couch. I go into the kitchen to grab the dish that my mom prepared for Luke and his family.

"My mom thought you guys might like a nice home cooked meal. Sort of like a house warming gift." I say handing it to him.

"That's really nice" he says reaching for it. "Jessie's been complaining since we got here about food."

"Jessie..?"

"Oh yea sorry, he's my little brother" he finishes.

I nod and walk towards the front window. The garbage truck is just about to pass.

Luke mumbles "You didn't have to apologize."

I turn around and look at him confused.

He saw he got my attention and finished "Your note. ...on the window last night."

I blush and look down. "You saw that?"

"Wasn't easy, you wrote it so damn small it took awhile to see."

I giggle and playfully look at him.

"That the garbage truck?" He asked.

"It just passed" I answered.

"You ready?" Luke says pointing at the door.

I open the door, Booze is asleep. "When ever you are" I tell Luke.

Holding the dish with his right hand he walks over to the door and waits until I get out and closes it behind us. With his left arm slung over my shoulder we walked across the street.