change [luke]

twenty two days before

At a completely unreasonable hour the next day, I was awoken by a vexed sigh coming from the front garden. I mentally cursed myself for not closing the balcony window last night, but at the same time I didn’t want to have died from heatstroke. Finally I found the power within me to move from my bed and waddled to the balcony to investigate. I peered down tentatively to see what the commotion was at this hour of the morning. Yet another boy had found his way into my aunt’s front garden but this time he wasn’t playing guitar, he wasn’t blonde, he wasn’t Luke. Actually, this particular boy was in a tangled mass of orange wires. I giggled softly at the sight of him trying to pry his way out of the mess before deciding to go downstairs and help him.

“Need any help?” I asked politely, pushing the front door open slightly. He jumped a little but then let out an exasperated sigh.

“Finally...”

I widened my eyes at his hair style. I had never once in my life seen such long bangs. They covered his left eye completely I wondered how he could even see properly.

“I’m Michael by the way. I mow Melissa’s front garden for money because my mom won’t pay off my guitar” He scowled slightly at the mention of his guitar payment. I smirked, holding back laughter.

“I’m Aimi” I introduced, waving. For the first time throughout our short conversation, Michael flashed me a wide grin and returned my wave except a little more aggressively.

“Are you Melissa’s sister?” He inquired, still finding a way out of the wires. I walked towards him holding my arms out. He stepped forwards standing still so I could untangle the mess.

“I don’t look that old, I’m only sixteen!” I exclaimed, laughing keeping my eyes on the wires.

“No I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just Melissa’s pretty young and she’s pretty ho-“

“Don’t finish that sentence please” I turned my nose, releasing Michael from the wires. His eyes widened in amazement.

“How did you do that?” He cried. I rolled my eyes and walked back to the front door, surprisingly he followed. I couldn’t help but feel marginally self conscious. I was still wearing my bed clothes which consisted of very revealing yet comfortable shorts and my mom’s old t-shirt. Immediately, I hid my bare legs behind the counter by leaning against it. He sat at the breakfast bar on one of the high stools and took out his phone.

“Aren’t you supposed to, like, mow?” I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

“I did”

“So, I slept through a lawn mower but woke up when you started moaning and groaning about untangling a wire?”

“Yes, I guess you did Aimi”

“What time is it?”

“Twelve thirty”

So much for waking up at an unreasonable hour.

“Right...” I mumbled scratching the back of my neck. He set down his phone on the island and intertwined his fingers, propping his elbows on the counter, leaning his chin on his hands.

“Tell me about you” He said, genuinely interested. I dipped my head a little letting my hair fall to curtain my face.

“Oh come on now! You didn’t seem all that shy a couple minutes ago” He smiled warmly, slapping my arms playfully. I could tell that Michael and I would get on just wonderfully already.

“I’m sixteen, I’m from California, and I’m here for the whole summer” I uttered plainly. He pouted at my bad attempt.

“You go first”