You're it (SEQUEL OUT)

Chapter 23- The night it falls apart pt.2

--LUKE POV--

I shout a 'hello?' when we arrive in the door but nobody seems to be home. Luckily.

I turn around and Riley's already kissing me, making me walk backwards at the same time. I take off my jacket and put it on the couch. Riley slips off her shoes and I do the same.

We start to walk up the stairs and break away from kissing, walking up the stairs giggling and holding hands. Her entire body is like fire to touch, her hands grabbing every piece of me.

We enter my room and she stops kissing me, her hands grasping my shirt.

"You really helped me this year." Her voice is soft, but it contains an edge to it. As if she's nervous. As if she'll cry.

"I did?"

"I wasn't drowning- but I was. Yes, I saw those therapists. Yes I had good friends. But you just made me feel awake when everyone else had been a distraction. The pain was still there, but you helped me through it. Not take it away." She frowns, reaching out to touch me. "Which probably sounds worse. But it made me strong and it helped."

I hold her hand against my cheek, trying to smile despite the gnawing guilt inside me. These past few weeks have just flown by so fast and I just couldn't bring myself to tell her.

I know what would happen if I did. That loud, huge laugh would disappear and become something smaller. Those bright, gleaming eyes would fade. Everything I loved about her would go below the surface because she'd be sad. Heartbroken even.

I didn't want to do it to her. I didn't want to leave, like everyone else had. I could've punched my dad for making me like everyone else.

This was it, wasn't it? My chance. To tell her I'm moving. Tell her I have to leave her behind.

But she turns a little and smiles at me, that great big smile. I chicken out almost immediately and pull her close, letting myself hold her for however long I have left.

Because yes, I want to be that unsociable couple. Because I want to be with her, all the time and every minute until I have to leave.

Maybe it's stupid teenage love. Too many hormones and a desperation for company after my father left me for so long. But I don't care- whatever it is, it's still a real feeling. It still exists.

Maybe it's too overdramatic of me. Im eighteen. I'll move on. I'll find other people.

But I believe in soulmates. I believe that sometimes, in some worlds and some lifetimes people do find that one person that matches them in every way. That makes them a better version of themselves simply by challenging them. It isn't easy- but they're soulmates. Sometimes, I think she's mine.

Which is why she deserves to know the truth about me moving. Why she deserves so much more from me.

But like an idiot, I cower and pretend everything is fine.

"You helped me too." I hold her hand up to my face, kissing the back of it. "Which is why you should know, I love you."

Her breath hitches. She looks up at me, her eyes widening. "I love you too."

I kiss her again and we fall into bed. She falls asleep shortly after and I pull her as close as I can, scared to let her go. I'm not going to be ready.