About a Girl (Luke Hemmings)

closer 'ch.11

[ guys it's almost over *cries* ]

many years into the future . . .

Michael gripped Luke's forearm and dragged him into an ice cream parlor across the street from the park. Luke had been attempting to wriggle out of his grasp, but failed. He mumbled curses to Michael, but the orange-haired boy ignored him. They stumbled in through the doors and Michael pulled Luke to a seat in the corner of the parlor and rushed to the counter. He chatted with the cashier for a moment while Luke rested his head in his arms. He groaned of annoyance.

Small footsteps skipped to the table Luke was sitting at and a small, frail hand rested on Luke's hair. He peaked through his arms and smiled at the little girl. She giggled and pat Luke's head. "Uncle Luke, your hair is pokey."

"Well, I did put gel in it." Luke replied, grinning. He patted the seat next to him as he scooted in closer to the wall. The little girl hopped in and swung her legs from the seat. "What's gel?" She asked.

"It's stuff guys put in their hair to protect it from little girls who like touching it." Luke teased. "The spikes are to stop the germs."

"Hey!" The little girl cried. Luke laughed. "I always wash my hands!" Luke ruffled her hair as she pouted. Two figures stood at the table where Luke was placed. "Luke, what'd you say to Katriana this time?" Kate asked.

Luke played with his fingers. "I was just messing with her." He mumbled, looking down at his lap. Kate shook her head and chuckled. "You're not in trouble, Luke. I was just wondering." Katriana leaned on Luke's arm and he put his arm around her small figure, pulling her close. "Guess what, Uncle Luke." Katri whispered to Luke.

"What?" He whispered back to her.

"Today's my birthday." She smiled. Luke smiled back at her and kissed her head. "Happy Birthday, Katriana." Katriana giggled and hopped out of the booth, running to Michael who was now carrying multiple cups of ice cream on a tray. Katri started skipping back to the booth and Ashton scooped her up, letting her fly through the air for a moment. She squealed and Ashton smiled. He set her down next to Luke again as he and Kate took a seat across from them. Michael placed the tray on the table and swiftly grabbed a chair from the table behind him. They all reached for a cup before Michael raised his hand, stopping them.
"It's Katriana's birthday, so she gets to choose first." Michael grinned, and Katriana hugged him while sitting next to him. Her blue eyes sparkled as she eyed each flavor of ice cream. Chocolate, Vanilla, Rainbow Sorbet- "Strawberry!" she decided. Michael handed her the small cup of strawberry ice cream and everyone else decided on their own flavors. Michael passed out the spoons and everyone dug in.

"You know, Michael," Luke began as he swallowed a bite of ice cream. Michael hummed in response.

"I actutally thought you were setting me up on a blind date here." Luke finished and laughed. Michael burst out in laughter and almost choked on his sprinkles. "You're serious, right?"

Luke nodded and sighed. "This is much better anyways. Thank you." Ash, Kate, and Katri nodded in agreement. Katri's face was now full of frosting and sprinkles and Ash laughed. He grabbed a napkin and wiped her face from across the table. "Daddy?" she asked.

"Yes, Kat?" Ash replied, Luke giving Ashton a grateful look.

"Why isn't Uncle Calum here?" Katri frowned. Luke tensed and looked out the window. Kate pursed her lips and Ashton sighed. "He's busy with... work."

Great coverup Ashton... Luke thought to himself but shook it off.

A moment of silence and tension fell over and everyone knew it. Michael stood up and started picking up each ice cream cup, stacking them on the tray. "Who's ready to go?" He says and strides to the trash can. Luke silently thanked Michael for breaking the silence under his breath. Kate slides out of the booth, as well as Kate and Ashton. They bid their goodbyes' and Michael walked with Luke outside on the sidewalk. They continued to do so for a few minutes before deciding to go to the park and admire the sunset.

"Remember 2014, Mike?" Luke sighed as they sat on the grass. Michael nodded, smiling a little.

"The year our careers took off like a bullet." He replied. Luke nodded. "That was the easy life."

"If only we'd lived it more." Luke frowned. "And if only it lasted forever."

[ there's one more chapter left but omg i dont want this story to end :(( ]