Say It Ain't So, I Will Not Go - A Luke Hemmings fanfic

part 5

‘You think so?’ I asked shyly.

‘‘Course, why wouldn’t they?’ he answered as we slid into opposite sides of the booth I had previously claimed and abandoned.

‘Why would they?’ I countered.

‘You’re Cal’s best mate.’ He replied simply. ‘Pretty much his second sister, actually. You mean more to him than I think he tells you, sometimes, to be honest. The boys will love you because Cal does.’ Luke’s sincerity surprised me almost as much as the extent of his vocabulary. ‘Plus, you’re funny, and you seem like just a genuinely nice person.’

I just blushed at this, and attempted to avoid his gaze as I giggled. ‘Cal was right, you know; you really shouldn’t hide when you blush.’ He stated casually.

‘Good joke, Luke,’ I chuckled. ‘Really clever.’

‘Joke?’ He repeated, ‘I’m sorry, what joke did I make, exactly?’

‘Oh, so now you’re charming and funny?’ I smiled at him. ‘Well, that’s a nice change, I can tell you that much.’

‘I still don’t follow,’ he admitted. ‘I’m sorry. Could you explain?’

‘‘You really shouldn’t hide when you blush.’’ I quoted. ‘That’s the most comical thing anyone’s ever said to me,’ I went on; ‘and I’m best friends with Calum, so that’s saying something.’

‘Who’s being funny now?’ Luke asked. ‘Seriously though,’ he continued; ‘I don’t understand why girls feel the need to hide when they blush.’

‘In case you haven’t noticed, it’s not necessarily the most attractive look to go for as a girl, especially if you’re trying to get a guy’s attention.’ I said.

‘Has a guy ever told you that they find it unattractive?’ He enquired.

When I stayed quiet, Luke took the opportunity to go on; ‘That, is what I thought.’ He stated matter-of-factly. ‘Now, I personally find a girl who blushes incredibly attractive, just saying.’ He paused awkwardly, ‘shit!’ he exclaimed under his breath. Seeing the confused look on my face, Luke gave me an apologetic glance. ‘I’m sorry; I know that was out of line. Please, I meant no disrespect. If your boyfriend wants to –‘ he stopped for a minute, gathering his thoughts, ‘if he wants to deal with it, tell him this whole thing was my fault, and that he shouldn’t be upset with anyone but me.’

‘That’s all very sweet and noble and the like, Luke; but completely uncalled for. I appreciate the sentiment, but really, you can calm down.’ Luke just looked blankly at me, as if I were speaking a language with which he was unfamiliar. I decided to try getting through to him differently. ‘I don’t have a boyfriend.’ I explained bluntly, getting straight to the point. Luke sat up straight, and his eyes widened considerably; he looked quite comical.

‘I - I don’t - you aren’t – you’re single?’ He spluttered.