Last Dance || 5sos

Chapter Thirty Two

I come out of my room at just the right time. My mother has just opened the door, and I can hear Luke say hello to her as I run downstairs. "Thanks mom." I say. "I can take things from here." My mother smiles, backing off.

"Happy Birthday, Noelle, and Merry Christmas," Luke smiles at me, kissing me quickly. I look at my mother, who is still standing there. She sees, and takes the hint.

"Okay, well I don't need to be told twice. Oh, and Luke, you're welcome to stay as long as you'd like," my mother smiles.

"Thanks, Alice," he smiles. I take Luke's hand, rolling my eyes, and drag him into the living room where I have him drop off his bags. "I like your decorations," he compliments. "I realize that I hadn't said much of them yesterday, but they're very nice."

"Thanks," I laugh. Luke goes over to observe the tree, which is as tall as he is, and smiles. "Oh, don't..." I say, trying to block him from seeing the ornament straight in front of him. When I was younger, my parents got my photo taken in a frilly Christmas dress, as they had done with Sadie, and Tristan in a suit, when they were younger. I was five years old, if I remember correctly. Luke sees it anyways, smiling.

"Is that you?" he asks, pointing to it. 

"Yes.." I sadly admit, embarrassed. 

"You look cute," he tells me.

"I hated that dress," I huff.

"But look how big your smile is?" Luke teases.

"Please, I was laughing at the photographer. He was trying to make me laugh."

"How did he do it? How did he make you laugh?" I shrug.

"I can't really remember." 

"I bet you I can make you laugh," he smirks. I raise an eyebrow.

"Really?" He nods. "Okay, but you should know, I have a very strong poker face when if comes to laughing."

"Note taken," Luke nods. He walks around me in a circle, pretending to think about how to make me laugh. I watch him when I can, but when he's behind me, he catches me off guard, and tickles me. I squeal, and can't help but laugh.

"You cheated!" I say, swatting at his chest to let me go. 

"I didn't cheat. I said I could make you laugh. I didn't say how," he snickers. 

"Yeah, by tickling me! Of course I'm going to laugh."

"Unless you weren't ticklish," he shrugs. I swat at him again, but he grabs my wrist, kissing the palm of my hand before letting it go. I shake my head, clearing my thoughts.

"Um.. Dinner will be ready shortly, but we always open presents first."

"Present time!" Sadie yells, coming down the stairs. 

"And I guess it's time," I laugh. Luke laughs as well. I realize that this is probably the first time that Luke and Tristan are officially meeting, and my realization is confirmed when Tristan comes in and introduces himself.

"Hey, Luke. I'm Tristan, Noelle's brother," he smiles, shaking Luke's hand.

"Nice to meet you. Merry Christmas," Luke replies with a smile. I nudge him in the arm, motioning to the Christmas Tree so that we could open presents. My mother joins us briefly, opening a few of hers before getting back to cooking. I crawl behind the tree and get my gift for Luke, handing it to him. 

"This is for you," I smile.

"Really? You shouldn't have," he smiles. I roll my eyes.

"Just open it." He does, and smiles. I got him a flannel sweatshirt, and gloves for riding his motorcycle, because he's mentioned he needed new ones.