Walkman [Lashton AU]

Chapter 9

November, 1991 | "Have Mercy."

"Luke, stop crying."

"We're going to jail," Luke blubbered like a mess, sniffling as tears fell down his cheek. "We're actually going t—to jail. I—I can't go to jail, Calum. I'm way too pretty for jail."

Michael groaned, "Please, shut up. We're going to be fine. We threw toilet paper at a house, we didn't rob a bank."

Before Luke could speak, an officer returned to where the boys were handcuffed to the seats by the door. He walked over and eyed the boys, opening his mouth to speak.

However, Luke exclaimed, "I—I'm sorry, I stole it! I admit it."

Calum face-palmed.

Or he tried to, he was handcuffed, though.

The officer blinked and Luke cried out, "It - It was one piece, though. Just one piece of gum and I gave it back, I promise. I can go to the store and buy ten more if you want, just please don't make me go to jail. I heard about jail and it doesn't sound very nice. The seats look cold and the men look scary."

"Boy, calm down," the officer scoffed. "We don't give a damn about your gum."

"You don't?" Luke looked up, eyes shimmering.

The man tsked and sat down across from them. "Now, you three, this is your first offense. Therefore, you get off the hook. We won't write this down on your record." They went to cheer but were cut off, "However, if you do anything to make me regret doing this, I won't hesitate to change my mind. That means, keep your records clean, got it? No more funny business."

"Thank you so much, I am forever grateful," Luke exclaimed, relieved as they were let out.

Instantly, the three boys hugged and rubbed their sore wrists in relief. Luke never felt more alive. Just knowing that they got off the hook was huge and he wanted to make sure it stayed that way. He refused to have his first offense be toilet papering a house. That was lame. If he's going to commit a crime, he'd like it to be better than that.

However, it seemed like they weren't fully off the hook.

Luke walked outside, only to yelp and turn around as soon as he saw his parents heading to the door. His mum called 'Lucas Robert Hemmings!' and he cringed at the full name. He still had some of his costume on, which made everything ten times more embarrassing as people walking by glanced to him.

His friends instantly bolted and Luke trudged over to his parents in sheer embarrassment. His dad luckily gave him a sympathetic pat on the back, but let's just say, his mum isn't as forgiving. She grabbed him by the ear and tugged him to the car, the boy whimpering in pain as he stumbled with her.

He got in the back seat and gulped nervously as she slammed the door shut, sitting in the passenger side. "Lucas, this was ridiculous! TPing someone's house? In this neighborhood? I can't -that was so dangerous."

"What were you doing on this side of town anyways? You know the greasers are dangerous, son," his dad scolded, shaking his head in shame as he started the car. "You could've been shot."

"Don't be dramatic, dad," Luke huffed, staring out the window as they drove off.

"Seriously, Luke," his mum snapped. "Why would you do this? What were you thinking?"

Luke sighed in frustration, blubbering out, "I—I don't know, I wasn't thinking I guess. It was a prank, that's all. The guys were doing it, it seemed harmless. It was kind of fun I guess, and I was just upset."

"Why? Did something happen?" his dad asked, eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"No, I was just upset," Luke grumbled, trying to ignore the pain in his chest.