red | e.d

thirty one

EDEN-JADE THURLOW

I wiped under my eyes with the tissue Luke had given me, as he drove us back to his house. I kept glancing over at him, my heart aching when I saw the state that he was in. The whole thing reminded me of the day that my brother punched Ethan. Except this was my bestfriend sitting by me, in the drivers seat.

Luke pulled up at his house and was quick to climb out of his car, rushing around to my side to open the door for me. I smiled weakly at this, feeling pathetic for crying over this. It was all just too much. The funeral, and now two of the most important boys in my life were fighting, because of me. It was all my fault. Everything was.

I closed the front door behind us and Luke headed up the stairs of his house, which had grown to be my second home throughout my whole life. In fact, I used to spend more time here than at my own place.

I heard the tap running and when I reached the top of the stairs, I saw Luke wetting a paper towel, and dabbing it against his skin.
" I'll be out in a second. Make yourself at home " Luke said sarcastically, knowing that I always did, anyway.
His attempt to lighten the mood worked a little, as I walked past the bathroom he was in and into his bedroom, taking a seat on his bed. I stared at my fingers aimlessly and tried not to overthink, the sick feeling in my stomach enough to confuse me. However, the sound of the running water stopped and soon enough, Luke had joined me in his room, closing his door, but not properly, and taking a seat on the other end of his bed.

It stayed silent between us both, just like it had for the entire car journey. There was a lot that needed to be said, but no clue how to say it.

" I'm so sorry that happened... I shouldn't have acted like that- " Luke began, pulling a t shirt out of his drawer for him to change into, and dropping it against his bed.
I immediately shook my head, cutting him off.
" You don't need to be sorry. I started it by yelling at him, I don't know why I did that " I sighed, suddenly feeling a presence at my side.
" It's not your fault " Was all that he said, his eyes peering deep into my soul, while I stared down at my fingers.
" It is. I don't know what's been going on with me recently, but I just feel different " I tried to explain, watching as the boy stood back up, kicking off his fancy shoes.

Luke didn't know what to say to this, and I was sure that he was trying to think of something.
" I just know that I've been one confusing son of a bitch, telling him that we needed a break one second and expecting him to come to a funeral the next. I don't know, I guess I just thought that despite everything he would be there for me, even just as a friend " I told my best friend, watching as he nodded his head, looking at me through his mirror.
" And that's exactly what he should have done. Sure, he's hurt and mad that you ended things, but there are more important things than his love life "

I didn't respond, instead I shrugged, not sure what to say. I felt so guilty. I'd possibly just ruined a great friendship, one between Ethan and Luke. I knew how much they adored one another. In fact, I don't think I'd ever seen Luke grow so close to somebody other than me, before. It was refreshing. Ethan, was refreshing.

" I guess all I'm asking is, do I even have the right to be mad? " My words came out sounding confused, making Luke look over his shoulder towards me.
" Well, all I know is that if I was in your position, I'd be hurt as hell. But, it's always good to hear him out, give him another chance "

I nodded at this, taking his opinion on board. I looked up at the boy standing at the end of the bed and could only think about what Ethan accused us of doing, making me roll my eyes at the thought.
" What are you rolling your eyes at? " Luke laughed a little, his laugh making a small smile tug up at my lips.
I didn't answer at first, instead I sat up a little so that my legs were crossed, resting my elbows against my knees.
" Why does he even think that there's something going on between us? He literally pulled that out of his ass to make me feel bad " I questioned, Luke's smile slowly disappearing.
" I-I feel like I may know the answer to that one " Luke's words surprised me, my eyebrow raising as I looked at the boy, who was still dressed in his suit, despite the change of clothes for him laying on the bed.