Money: Luke Hemmings

16

8th of November 2015

'Do you reckon this is appropriate?' I asked Eloise who was sprawled over my hotel bed, reading through a trashy magazine they had provided us.

It was the night of my date with Luke and I was freaking out slightly, to say the least.

'You look incredible, as always,' Eloise said with a grin. I was wearing a long gingham slip dress, with new platform black Doc Martens which I had bought a couple of days ago. I was probably going to throw on a leather jacket or something since it was quite cold in London already.

'Thanks El,' I said with a smile, quickly applying some red lipstick as Luke was supposed to come and get me any minute now. 'What are you doing tonight?'

'Calum said he wants to get coffee with me after he has dinner with Michael and Ashton,' Eloise said blushing profusely as I let out a small squeal and clapped my hands together.

'God it's about time that boy got his shit together and realised that he actually likes you.'

'Nah I still think he likes you but what can you do about that,' Eloise sighed and my stomach dropped slightly, knowing that she felt that way.

'Eloise,' I said softly as I wrapped my leather jacket around me and sat down on the end of my bed, my heart feeling heavy at the words that left Eloise's mouth.

'I mean, who can blame him? You're stunning,' she said softly and I shook my head.

'Calum only likes me because I've been around him for years, it's natural for a boy to love what they know but trust me, he is going to be infatuated with you in no time when he realises what he has been missing all this time.'

'Thanks, Annabelle, you're the best,' she said sitting up to give me a quick hug, her brown hair already in a neat ponytail for her coffee 'date' with Calum tonight.

Eloise was beautiful but she was quite shy. I'm still not entirely sure how we managed to become friends, as she is very quiet around people she doesn't know. When you get to know her though, she radiates sunshine and light, making everyone around her feel happy and alive, which is what a true friend always does.

There was a short but hard knock at the door, meaning that Luke was here, my heart beginning to race. I didn't even understand why I was nervous, because it was just Luke and we see each other all the time, but I guess this time it was different, as it was our first proper date.

'Hey,' I said softly as I opened the door, clutching my phone in one hand and my bag in the other.

'Hey Belle, you look great,' he said with a smile. 'Hey Eloise, have fun on your date with Calum tonight,' Luke grinned as I stepped out into the hallway with him.

'It is not a date!' Eloise protested, even though everybody, including herself, knew that it was a date.

'Yes, it is!' I called back with a laugh, shutting the door gently before following Luke to the elevator, going down in silence as we both exchanged small smiles and quick glances at each other.

'Sorry, I'm really nervous and I have no idea why,' Luke laughed awkwardly as we walked out of the elevator together, walking closely side by side, our hands almost touching with every step we took.