My brother's friend Luke *Book 1* (completed)

Chapter 40-Meeting the Hemmings

AVA'S POV

"Oh god..." I mumble and pick up my curling wand. I just washed my hair and it chose today to be straight, so I'm currently curling my ends.

"We're leaving in twenty minutes, babe!" Luke shouts. I breath in and out. While the curler heats up, I do a light smoky eye, mascara, eyeliner, foundation and a glossy pink lipstick that stands out against my skin. I chose to wear a red, blue and black checkered crop top/flannel shirt, denim high waisted shorts with rips, black wedges with a gold buckle, a black pleather biker jacket, a small black satchel I'll leave in the car and I dyed my hair red. I know, dyeing it again! I'll be called Michael soon...

Red, Roxy, Ash and Michael are coming later. Cal and Em are shopping with Ems mum for baby stuff. Luke decided to tell me this morning, while I was freaking out, that its a barbeque so his whole family is going to be there. Great!

I finish curling my hair and slowly walk downstairs, not wanting to fall in my new shoes. I trot, nice word!, into the sitting room and see the guys on the Xbox.

"I'm ready." I tell Luke. They pause Call Of Duty and all eyes on me.

"Oh my god, I love those shoes A!" Red screams and runs over to me practically pulling my ankle off.

"Red!" I wine and shake my leg.

"I love your red hair Ava." Roxy smiles. Michael nods.

"Thanks. Shall we go Luke?" I ask.

"Yep." Luke mutters and puts the controller down before getting up.

"What time to be there?" Ash asks.

"7:30?" Luke shrugs.

"That's cool, see ya there." Ash smiles and we say our goodbyes before we get out the house and into the car.

-

I breath in and out as Luke parks the car.

"You ready?" he asks.

I nod, not being able to form words. Luke gets out the car and runs round to the passenger side. He opens it for me and I hop out. We walk into the driveway and round the back. Luke pushes the gate open and I see lots of people. Luke intertwines our fingers together and we start walking. We only reach about five foot from the gate, when Luke's name is called. We turn around and see a blonde haired and blue eyed woman with an apron on.

"Mum!" Luke grins and we walk over. Luke's mum wraps him in a hug leaving me awkwardly standing there. They pull out.

"Mum, this is Ava." he smiles and puts an arm round my waist. "And this is my mum."

"Please, call me Liz." Liz chuckles.

"Nice to meet you Liz." I laugh.

"Shall we meet my dad and brothers?" Luke asks.

"Yep." I say.

"Come find me later Ava! We can have a chat, yeah?" Liz tells me. I nod and we go off to find another person to be introduced to.

-

"Is Luke treating you right?" Liz asks and hands me a cider.

"Yep, we're doing great." I say and sip some of the berry cider.

"That's good. Luke's dad and I met when we were your age." Liz tells me.

"What happened?" I ask.

"When I was 19, we got married. We've been together for over 20 years." Liz chuckles.

"That's really sweet." I smile.

"We've had our ups and downs though." Liz warns me.

"Luke and I haven't... Yet." I add.

"Well, I'll always be on your side." Liz smiles and rubs my hand.

I open my mouth to speak but Luke, Ash, Red, Michael, Roxy and Luke's dad come in.

"He- what's going on?" Luke asks, confused.

"What?" I cover my mouth trying to cover the smirk.

"Mum and you are smiling..." Luke says and grabs a beer.

"How about a game of headbanz?" Liz suggests and grabs the box. She takes out eight headbands and hands each of us one. We all place ours on our head and sit at the table. I sit next to Luke and Roxy.

"Where are the boys?" Liz asks.

"The pub was calling them." Luke's dad tells her. Liz rolls her eyes.

"Ok, I'll put a card on your headband and you get to guess until you get a no. Everyone can only answer yes or no. Ok?" she tells us. We all nod and are given are cards.

I look at Luke. His card's money.

"You're never gonna get yours Luke." I laugh.

"Oh my god, yours is exactly you!" Luke chuckles.

"Shall I start?" Red asks.

We nod and Red starts.

"Am I a food?"

Lipstick-not a food. Unless you're a freak...

"No." we answer Red.

"Oh..." she mumbles.

-

"Am I a sheep?" I smile, knowing what my card is.

"Yes!!" they chorus. Everyone got theirs and I was the last.

"How many drinks have you had Ava?" Luke asks.

"Two ciders." I reply.

"Can you drive us home then?" Luke pouts.

"Fine, just let me phone my mum back." I tell him. I walk out the room and into the back garden. I press my mums contact and wait for her to answer.

"Ava!" she shouts.

"Hi mum, sorry I didn't call back earlier. What's u-"

"Geoff and I are engaged!!" mum declares.

"What?!" I excitedly scream.

"Geoff proposed to me and I said yes!" mum says.

We've only met three times and they're engaged.

"I'm so happy for you mum." I smile. "Listen, I've got to drive us home, but I'll see you in about ten minutes." And I hang up after we say goodbyes.

I smile and walk back inside. We all say goodbye and me and Luke wave to the others as we get in the car.

"You'll never guess what happened." I say and log out of Twitter.

"What?" Luke asks and we buckle into the car. I put my phone away and start driving.

"Mum and Geoff are getting married." I chuckle.

"Wow... That's sudden." Luke mutters.

"Yeah, I know. I'm happy though. I mean, you know I would've loved dad to come on a horse and lure mum back. But if she's happy, I'm happy." I tell him.

"Would she be the same?" Luke asks.

"Of course." I say, unsure.

I think...