Again | Luke Hemmings

ix

It's been two weeks since I last saw Luke. I admit that I was a bit bothered when he didn't drop by to say thanks or something.

I've been in bed all day because I wasn't in the mood to do anything. I called in sick for work and ditched classes today. Yeah, that's how lazy I was.

I stared up at the plain, white ceiling, observing the ceiling fan rotate.

My phone rang beside me and I checked who it was.

Michael?

I answered. "Hello?"

"Joey!" Michael greeted happily.

"What's up?" I rolled over to my stomach and started tracing random shapes on my blanket.

"You busy?" He asked, ignoring my question.

"No."

"Wanna hang out today?" He sounded like he was begging.

"I don't know. I guess?" I shrugged even if he couldn't see me.

"I'll be there in 30 minutes." He said and hung up.

Ugh.

"Bye." I muttered to myself.

I lazily got out of bed and head for the bathroom.

I stripped off my clothes, turning the shower on and letting the cold water run down my skin.

-

"I'm surprised you're not getting mobbed yet."

"Yet." He repeated.

"So what brought you to actually come out of your cave?" I smirked. We've been walking around the park for the past two hours.

"Cave." He scoffed. "I was bored."

"Where are the others?"

"Ashton's with his family, Calum's been MIA and Luke's with Chloe." He lowered his head and kicked a small rock into the nearby bushes.

"Oh." I nodded.

We continued to walk in silence. Whenever Michael and I hung out we always seem to have something to talk about but now it just seemed like there was something wrong. I took a quick look at him and saw that he was staring at the ground, a serious expression covering his entire face.

"What's up?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

"I hate this."

"Hate what?" I ask, confused.

"This."

"This?" I really don't know what he's talking about.

He stopped walking and looked around, pulling me to the side of a random alley.

"Michael?" I was getting nervous.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone?" He demanded rather that ask, putting both hands on either side of my head while trapping me. My heart sped up and my breath unevened.

"Um... I promise." I breathed.

He sighed, taking a step back to give me more space and ran a hand through his messy red hair. "I don't know how to say this, but I just want to tell someone."

"Say whatever sounds right?" I suggested.

He sighed again, "The guys and I don't really talk much anymore."

"What do you mean?" I knit my eyebrows together.

"I mean, these past few months. None of us really talk to each other as much as we used to."

I nodded, urging him to continue.

"We may look like the bestest friends in the whole world but in reality, I don't think so anymore."

I didn't say anything so he can continue.

"It all started when Luke began 'dating' Chloe." He continued. Of course...

"We've been arguing endlessly because he'd rather spend his rehearsal time with that girl." Michael looked like he was about to cry so I reached for his shoulder but he stopped me. "Whenever he brought her to our band practices, she does nothing but laugh and disturb us. I honestly don't know what Luke sees in her . . . all they do is have sex. And she clings onto him like he's a billion bucks."

"So this one time we decided to tell him about all that and he just got mad, telling us to 'mind our own business'," He used airquotes and rolled his eyes. "Then we'd get mad and in the end we'd all end up not speaking to each other." He sighed, slapping his forehead with his palm. "I just want everything to be okay again."

"I really hate this and I don't even know the last time we had a band practice without someone missing." He added. I can tell he was trying his hardest not to cry. I reached for his shoulder again but this time he didn't stop me.

"I know." I finally said, giving his shoulder a squeeze.

"We were all fine then he started dating her. Let me tell you that he turned from a geek to an ass in just one week being with her." He pulled at the ends of his hair.

"Guess some things never change." I shrugged, feeling my own tears try to escape.

"Speaking of the devil." He muttered and looked out the alley.

I looked too and saw Luke and Chloe walking past us. They couldn't see us since we were sort of behind a large trash can.

They were swinging their hands and Chloe was laughing obnoxiously while flipping her hair. All in a span of a second.

I cringed. I thought they broke up?

We fell into another silence. The sounds of our breathing and birds softly chirping occupied the small alley space.

I decided to speak, "Maybe one day he'll realize his stupidity and go back to old Luke."

"Sure damn hope it's soon." He mumbled.

"Wanna get out of here?" I said slowly.

He looked up with glossy eyes.

"Sure." He said with a sad look.

"Ice cream?" I suggested.

He finally smiled and grabbed my wrist (because hands are too weird). We made sure that the coast is clear before heading straight to the mall.