The Only One » cth [en]

14. jade makes amends

I stop in front of the building, hoping Luke is home.

This time I decide to text Ash, informing him of my whereabouts. Our talk last night made me feel a lot better.

When I go upstair Michael is at the door.

"What are you doing here, Lucy? Did Ashton leave something here?"

"Shush, Michael." I smile. "Is Luke here?"

"Oh, yes. Please, come in and fix that attitude of his."

I was already inside but I thank him anyway.

"I thought you had realized he was an asshole long ago."

When I pass by the living room door my eyes give me the distorted vision of a girl in the couch. I actually walk backwards a bit just to check if I'm not hallucinating.

Michael comes from behind me and pushes me back into the hall.

"Keep walking, there's nothing to see there."

"Who is she?" I whisper, turning to him excitedly.

"Just a friend." He rolls his eyes and I'm glad I'm the one in this position for a change.

"Is that so? What's her name?"

"Crystal." He whispers back and I truly feel like laughing. If someone saw us right now they would probably think we are crazy. And they would be right. "Please, don't make a big deal out of it, okay?"

"Yeah." I pause and I smirk proudly. "It's crystal clear."

I turn around, in the direction of Luke's bedroom and I still manage to hear Michael chuckling.

I knock at the wooden door and after a few seconds the blonde opens the door.

"Of course, Michael wouldn't knock."

He leaves the door open so I can follow him into the room.

He sits at his desk, where his computer is turned on, and turns to me.

"So... what do I owe this pleasure?"

I sit in his bed and try not to look guilty. It's not my fault he was a jerk.

"We had a fight, remember?"

"It was hardly a fight."

"Well, there was yelling and unresolved feelings involved. I'm pretty sure it counts as a fight. Besides, you're mad at me."

"Jade, you haven't been at the apartment when we were there. Thanks to Michael and you I've seen enough teen dramas to know you were avoiding me. I'm not the one who's mad."

He stares right through me and I cross my arms.

"I'm not mad. I was just hurt that you said those things."

Luke seems surprised with my honesty but he doesn't let it bother him.

"I was being childish. It was bothering me you could get hurt eventually. I've known you all my life and I know that you are all sensitive under that sarcastic act."

"I am not!" I try to seem offended but he smiles.

"Don't worry, the other day I asked Calum if he had feelings for you."

I have to hold on tight to the sheets, but not on time since I lose my balance and fall round on the floor.

He starts laughing loudly and I want to punch him in the face.

"Why would you do that?" I ask angrily, sitting casually on the bed again.

"I didn't." He keeps laughing. I can't believe this motherfucker.

I close my fists and walk to the door.

"No, no, wait. I'm sorry!" He gasps for air, not sounding sorry at all.

"That's not fucking funny." I say through gritted teeth.

"If you were in my position, you would have laughed too."

He rolls his chair next to me and blocks my passage to the door.

"Wow, you're guarding the door in a chair with wheels. I've always wondered where you'd be 20 years from now."

It's his time not to look amused so I smile proudly and sit back on his bed.

"Anyway, so you do like him. Was it that hard to admit it?"

I could try and deny it but I know there's no use. I lower my eyes so Luke can't see me smiling as I remember my talk with Calum earlier.

He's the only guy who manages to make dad jokes actually funny to me.

"Oh my god, Jade." I feel Luke sitting next to me and I cover my face.

"Stop it." I mutter. This situation is embarrassing as it is, I don't need him making fun of me.

"I'm not doing anything." I look at him when I feel the heat in my cheeks going down. He's turned to me, with crossed legs, and he's not laughing. The blonde seems to be just waiting and I feel nervous about what that means.

"I'm glad you've realised it in time."

"What do you mean 'in time'?" I squint my eyes.

"Imagine Calum tells you he likes you. Wouldn't you make a fool of yourself then?"

I want to get mad at Luke but I know he's right.

"Luke, sorry to disappoint you but I don't think that's gonna happen."

"I'd be surprised if you acted norm-"

"He doesn't like me." I say louder than I intended. Luke stops talking and he glares at my lap.

I look down and notice my fists are clenched shut. I hadn't realise how hard I was doing that until I open my hands and see the red marks provoked by my nails.

"Jade."

I don't answer so he keeps going.

"Jade, stop feeling so insecure. I know you have this abandonment complex, don't deny it."

I look up at Luke's blue orbs and I can tell he's being sincere.

"Stop looking for the worse in people. And yes, that includes yourself."

I can't avoid smiling and I punch him in the arm.

"Who would know you can be kind?"

Luke knows that I wouldn't pour my feelings out so he laughs it off with me.

"Thank you." I whisper and he shakes his head.

"Shut up, if you keep being nice to me I might think you have a heart."

"Fuck off." I roll my eyes and get up.

"That's more like it." He smiles "Get home safe."

I put on a serious expression and put my hand over his heart.

"Hm... No, your heart rate seems normal."

It's his time to roll his eyes before he pushes me in the direction of the door.

"Wait, wait." I stop when he's almost closing his door on me. "Just clarify my doubts. Are Michael and the girl just friends?"

"Just friends, my ass." And with a smirk he closes the door and I leave their apartment in a way better mood than I was before.