nova // l.h. (on hold)

04 // religious

Sunday breakfast at the Hemmings residence was always something to make the day feel pleasant, but also to make it feel completely hectic. Gathered around the family kitchen table, Luke, Jack, and their parents sat. A mostly empty platter of pancakes sat between the four as they talked, but mostly just argued.

"Pick a date to prom yet, Luke?" smirked Jack, who was voted prom king when he was a senior. He had had girls all over him in high school. Luke, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

Turning a pinkish color, he shook his head. His blonde bed-head moved around when he did, brushing over his eyebrows.

"Maybe if you got a haircut..." trailed off his mother as she picked up a berry with her fork. Luke's hand covered his overgrown, undone locks that he usually had gelled up.

Pushing around excess maple syrup with his butter knife, he removed his hand from his hair. "I'm just not prom king material. Or prom date, for that matter."

"Sweetie, you're a senior. You didn't go to prom last year. You have to go this year," Mrs. Hemmings told him, patting the top of his hand. "You can go with the daughter of this lady I work with. She's a sweetheart," she said.

Shaking his head quickly, he crossed his sock-clad feet. "I don't want to go with Alisha. You already asked me."

"Does this have to do with your sexuality?" asked his dad, folding his hands on the table.

"No, dad. I'm not-"

"It's okay if you are, sweetie," Mrs. Hemmings said with a grin.

"Mom, I'm-"

"I'm sure I could find someone for you to go with."

More annoyed than ever, Luke stared at her. "Mom," he strictly deadpanned, "I like girls."

"Well, ask one soon," his father said, picking up his white mug of coffee. "Women these days, they have to buy everything months in advance."

Excusing himself from the table, Luke stomped up to his room.

His desk was littered with unfinished books and notebook papers and empty mugs he had yet to take down to the kitchen. The navy walls made him feel calm, even though it wasn't the most calming color.

Pulling his sweatshirt over his head, he laid down again. The same warmth that was there when he woke up was still somewhat around him as he bundled himself in blankets.

Luke hadn't even thought about prom. Not once had he considered actually going. He didn't even find himself that attractive, but if Mercedes thought he was decent, then he must be. He didn't think his lip ring or hair would be a turn on. He just didn't understand that he was hot. Playing with the black ring between his fingers, he brushed over his plump pink lips. Maybe his parents were right. Maybe it was time to put his looks to good use.

Luke didn't have many options for a prom date. He was forced to go to the semi-formal, just a few days before his winter break started. The basketball team all decided to go. He was one of the only few on the team without a date. The memory of that night was horrid. Dozens of girls tried to get him to dance and have fun, but he just couldn't. That wasn't even as horrible as homecoming, which he had been blocking the memory of.

His only few options were limited. There was Hope, from his calculus class. Hope had never spoken to Luke, so it'd sure surprise her.

There was also Abby, who sat close to his table at lunch. She had pretty brown hair and eyes to match, but Luke was sure she already had a date. She was pretty popular. She was also smart, which was one of Luke's secret weaknesses. Well, it wasn't really a secret.