Stockholm Syndrome l.h

9

Luke and I made our way to the bathroom.

He followed in behind me and closed the door. I turned around and looked at him. He gave me a pained expression and turned the shower on.

"How did you know I wanted to take a shower?" I asked to break the tension.

He jerked his head towards me. "Well, I didn't really. I just thought you would like a break from all of that." He nodded his head at the door. "Besides, it's been about a week. I'm sure you wouldn't mind a shower."

"Are you saying I smell bad?" I laughed.

He laughed nervously. "No no, I just thought-"

"It's alright. Thank you." I gave him a small smile.

"If it's okay, I need to stay in here. Don't want them getting suspicious."

"Oh.. Right, of course."

Luke turned to the small linen closet and pulled out a fluffy orange towel and handed it to me.

I accepted it with a grin. "I'm guessing this is one of your towels?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Orange is the best."

I hummed. "Nah.. Blue is best."

His smile showed off his dimples. "Shut up and take your shower." He turned around to face the door.

I let out a small giggle at his attitude. "Thanks for turning."

At least someone respects me.

I toss the towel up and over the railing, letting it hang. I rid my clothes and step under the warm water.

I close my eyes and soak up the water. This might be the only peace I have for a while. Might as well take my time.

"Babe?" Luke called.

I sighed. "Yeah?" So much for peace.

"I have a loofa for you."

I stuck my hand out of the shower and felt the poof of the loofa in my hand. "Thanks."

I poured some soap onto the loofa and lathered it in then onto my skin. I stood back under the water and let the soap run down.

I wash my hair quickly and rinse off my body once more.

A knock at the bathroom door startled me. "Luke?" A voice called.

I backed up into the shower wall and stayed quiet. What else should I do?

"Yeah?" Luke said and I heard the sound of the door opening. "What Michael?"

My mouth turned into a frown. I hate that man.

"Here." Michael paused. "Tell her to shave everywhere."

"Uhm.." Luke's voice trailed off and the door closed.

"Hey babe?" Luke called to me.

"Yeah?" I said a bit ruder than intended.

"Michael..uhm.. Wants you to use this." His hand popped into the shower, holding a pink razor. "He said.."

I cut him off. "I heard." A small, deep sign escaped my lips.

I took the razor from his hands and stared at it for what seemed like twenty years. My eyes searched around for some sort of shaving cream or gel. There was only men's. It'll have to do.

Let's just say I used the men's shaving cream and did what it was intended to do.

I finished rinsing down again and turned the water off. I wrapped the towel around my body before stepping out of the shower.

Water droplets fell down my back, legs, face, and everywhere else. I was standing in one spot for so long that I was causing a puddle beneath my feet.

Luke's cough brought me back to reality. "Orange looks good on you." He smiled cheekily.

"I look like a pumpkin." I held the towel tighter around my body.

"A cute pumpkin." He winked.

I felt my cheek slightly heat up. I'm not used to being flirted with.

I looked down at my feet. "I need clothes." I decided on changing the subject.

"Crap!" His voice grew a bit louder. "I'll get you fresh clothes. Come on." He opened the door and motioned for me to follow.

My feet padded close behind him. I bumped into his back when he came to a quick hault.

"Well.. Well.. Well.. Look at this. She's still following behind you like a lost puppy. I don't know what you did, lad. It's funny." Calum's voice rang in my ears.

I peek over Luke's arm and seen Calum blocking the hallway. Our eyes meet and I flinched back behind Luke, holding onto his arms.

"Oh, fresh out of the shower." Calum paused. "And only in a towel? That's sexy." I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Calum, give her a break. She's been through enough the past few days." Luke fought to protect me.

I mentally thanked him.

"Oh well. She has to get used to it. You guys love it when I break you up, don't you?" Calum's words were haunting.

"Luke?" I squeak out.

He looked down at me and frowned. His eyes moved back to Calum. "I didn't even have a chance with her."

Calum's laugh sounded amused.

"Like you even need your time. You don't get anymore time with her, Lucas. You're done. Now hand her over."

"No!" Luke boomed.

"Don't make me ask again." Calum's tone sounded threatening.

Luke shook his head.

Calum spoke again. "I think you're forgetting about the whole plan here."

I looked up at Luke and seen him squeeze his eyes shut.

Calum took one long stride over to me and gripped my arm in his hand.

"Wait.. No!" I tried pulling back in protest.

He began dragging me down the hallway.

"Please!" I shouted and begged for mercy.

Luke lunged towards Calum but was too slow, and there he laid knocked out on the ground from a swing by Calum.

"Luke!" I yelled, struggling in Calums grip.

I looked back at Luke who was laying on the ground cold.

"Oh we're going to have fun, babe. You'll enjoy it even more this time." Calum's voice lingered as he pushed me back into his bedroom.