Weightless - Luke Hemmings

Chapter 8.

I sat on my bed, the old box in front of me. There was something about the box, the way the engravings twisted and curled, that made me love it so much. There was a vintage lock, dusty gold and slightly rusty. I twisted the ornate key from around my neck and opened the lid. Inside, was my bundle of evidence. I lifted the shirt from the top of the box, his shirt. His favourite one, dark blue with 3 tiny red buttons. I lifted it to my nose, smelling the material. It still had the smell, his cologne still lingered after all the years. I folded it up, laying it beside me. Next, I pulled out a large photo frame. There were only 2 photos inside, one when I was only 13. Finn was sitting beside me on the carpet, Mum and Dad smiling behind us. I smiled at the photo, tracing each of our smiling faces lightly with a shaking finger. Even then, you could see the scars peeping from my sleeve. The pain in Mum and Dad's eyes. Even Finn had a pained look in his eyes. I went through the next couple of things, Mum's bracelets, Dad's watch, the wedding rings. Finally I got to the small package at the bottom. I unravelled the tissue paper, lifting the things inside to my view. I flicked through the old photos, mainly Finn and I as kids. My t-shirt was laying in the bottom, crumpled into a pink ball. Unfolding it, I saw the blood stains, the gaping hole in the side. I stared at them, watching the dried blood peeling off slightly. It reminded me, in perfect detail, of that night. I was only 14, but I couldn't get the memories out of my head. Everything that happened. I stood up quickly, my head spinning. Throwing the objects back into the box, I locked it and hid it under my bed. I put the key back around my neck, feeling it hit my chest lightly.

Luke's P.O.V.

"Luke, you alright mate?" Calum asked as I sat down beside him. We were sitting on his bed, music blaring from his speakers.

"Yeah, I'm okay" I lied, my head was dizzy, my thoughts only about Rose. I'd barely known her, but I loved her. It killed me, she'd never know.

"So, how've you settled in?" Michael asked and I smiled.

"Great" I said, and that was partly true. I spotted a guitar leaning against the wall beside me. Picking it up, I strummed it lightly.

"You play?" I asked Calum, and he nodded.

"Guitar and bass. You?" He asked.

"I had a few lessons of guitar last year." I admitted, playing a few chords.

"I play guitar too." Michael smiled.

"I'm the odd one out." Ashton laughed. "I play drums." He smiled, when he saw my confusion.

"We could always start a band." I joked.

"Not a bad idea, Luke." Calum said thoughtfully.

"For a band we need a singer." Michael said, tapping his finger on his knee in thought.

"I'll do it." I spoke up.

+

The next day, I made as much effort as I could to get Rose's attention. She only looked at me once, and her eyes held so much sadness as they locked with mine. She walked around school, her head down. At one point I saw Michael push her into the wall, a menacing laugh leaving his lips. It hurt me to see her not fight back, she just stood there like a ragdoll. A part of me wanted to step in, to stop him. I knew, if I did I would be like her. Bullied. Alone. Call it selfish, because it was. People walked past, some ignoring the situation, some cheering Michael on. I'm not sure which one was worse. It was only when he pushed her further into the wall, his hand sliding up her thigh, making her cry out in pain, that I stepped in.

"Hey Michael, we need to go, can't be late for meeting Calum." I said quickly and he nodded. He released his grip, making her fall to the floor. She looked up at me with her tear filled eyes, nodding a thankyou. I nodded back, leading Michael away.

Rose's P.O.V.

I got up off the floor, ignoring the laughter directed at me. I stormed past everyone, running into the girls bathroom. Catching sight of myself in the mirror, I looked a mess. I tied my hair up, slapping on some makeup, and adjusted my jumper. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out of my pocket. It was an unknown number.

'Meet me outside the back gates, don't mention it to anyone.'

I considered not going, until it buzzed again.

'You don't come, and you'll regret it.'

My whole body began to shake as I walked towards the back gates. My palms were sweating and my head was spinning. I turned the corner, when suddenly I was thrown against the wall.