Weightless - Luke Hemmings

Chapter 7.

I was advised to go back to school as soon as possible. Apparently getting back into my routine would help my recovery. When Monday came, I had the perfect excuses lined up to convince Mum that sending me back was a stupid idea, but she looked so worn out that morning that I decided against it. Instead, I threw some clothes on, attacked my face with makeup, and gave her a fake smile. I'd put her through enough, the least I could do was get out of the house.

"Ready?" she said, smiling at me. I simply nodded, as she pulled me into a hug.

"I'm proud of you" she said, kissing my forehead.

I walked downstairs, following Finn out the door. As we waited awkwardly at the bus-stop, someone gripped my shoulder. It was too strong to be called friendly. I turned around, pushing him off me.

"Long time, no see" Michael whispered in my ear, and I jumped away from him in fear.

"What is it Michael?" I asked, as he gripped my hand tightly.

"Where have you been this past week, hm?" He taunted, and I turned away from him, putting my headphones in.

"Oi freak, I'm talking to you." He said angrily, ripping my headphones out and throwing them on the floor.

"What do you want from me!" I cried out, glancing over for anybody to help me. I locked eyes with Finn, and my heart broke as he turned away.

"He doesn't care, Rose. Who can blame him?" Michael laughed, pushing me against the wall of the bus shelter. I tried to move away, but he pushed me back. He held his forearm over my chest, holding me in place as he smirked at me.

"You act all hard, don't you Rose? But I know how weak you really are. I always have, haven't I?" He laughed. The bus pulled up then, distracting him for a moment. I took it as an opportunity, and sprinted into it. I paid, sitting down right at the back.

When we pulled up at school, I ran straight to the toilets. As I turned a corner I spotted Ashton talking to Luke. I hid behind a set of lockers, curiosity taking over me.

"Is any of this stuff about you and Rose true?" Luke asked.

"Of course not, it's just funny to watch her react." Ashton laughed and Luke laughed too.

"Hey, I hear she's back today" Luke said and Ashton laughed loudly again.

"I'm surprised they'd let her back here." he said and I sighed slightly.

"I know, she's so weird." Luke said and I decided I'd had enough. I walked out, and they looked at me, judging smirks on their faces.

"You know what, fuck you both." I said angrily.

"Rose, I-" Luke started but I cut him off.

"No Luke. It's clear that you're a liar." I yelled and Ashton laughed.

"So Rose, I hear you tried to kill yourself" he said and I turned to him, trembling slightly.

"W-What?" I asked loudly, and Luke shuffled awkwardly.

"Shame you didn't succeed, isn't it?" He mocked, and I turned away from his gaze.

"Fuck you, Ashton."

"Get lost, freak" Ashton said, pushing me back. I hit my head on the wall, my vision going foggy for a minute. I stood up straight, storming past them both.

+

I could see Luke trying to make eye contact with me all day. I would simply ignore him, not wanting to hear his pathetic apologies. I was sitting in English, when the door swung open. Luke stepped in, making us all turn to look.

"Ah, Luke. Is this just a social visit?" the teacher asked.

"Sorry I'm late" he said, looking for a spare seat. Turns out the only one was beside me. People snickered as he sat beside me.

"Poor Luke"

"Has to sit beside the freak show"

"Glad it's not me"

I ignored them, ignored Luke, ignored everyone. When we were told to share our ideas with the person next to us, I let out a small groan.

"Look, Rose" he said, and I spun around to face him.

"Apologize all you want Luke. You've made it clear what you're really like." I said and he sighed.

"I didn't mean to-" he started, but I just laughed.

"You didn't mean to what? Tell everyone about my attempt, join in with bullying, turn my own brother away from me? Was that all accidental, are you really truly sorry for that? No, I didn't think so." I mocked and he thought about what to say next.

"I really messed up, okay?" he said, his own eyes watering. My heart broke at the sight of him upset, but I realized it was probably acting. He wouldn't ever feel anything towards me, other than hate.

Luke's P.O.V.

She didn't realize she was crying, and the guilt made it hard to breathe. I'd broken her, you could see it in her eyes. They were filled with betrayal, sadness and anger. There was something else in there, something undecipherable. My heart ached to hug her, tell her how I really felt. I couldn't, I wouldn't let them know that I was in love with her.

"Yeah, you did" she whispered, and she crossed her arms, and my heart shattered as she winced in pain. I glanced down, noticing the red stains on her jumper. I felt like crying then, knowing how she took the pain away. My mind flashed back to that day. The day I found her, the day I nearly lost her. I didn't know how anyone could bear to watch her hurt, let alone find joy in watching her in pain. The bell rang, and she got up quickly. I stood up beside her, my voice trembling.

"I'll wait for you"