Locked (l.h)

Twenty four

"And straight back here after school, do you understand?"

"Yes, mom." I sigh, shoveling more lucky charms into my mouth. She hadn't stopped talking since I woke up, it's been nonstop complaints about me, Luke and anything else she can find to criticize.

"Honestly, they've ruined you." She continues. "One day you'll say you want to drop out of school, or not go to university or something terrible, which is why I'm stopping this now. Go make some friends, who are girls, and get your grades back up."

"But I'm happy." I argue.

She grits her teeth in frustration. "Well, you won't be happy once you realize you wasted your education on some boy."

"You met dad at uni," I point out. "Wasn't that a waste of your education?"

"I-"

"We were study partners." Dad interrupts, looking up from his newspaper. "We didn't take it any further until we'd finished university."

"See," Mom says smugly. "Love can wait, your education should always come first."

"Fine." I mumble. "I'll see you later." I walk out the kitchen without saying another word, aiming to get away as soon as possible.

"And don't slam the door!" She shouts, just as the door slams shut behind me.

As usual, Luke's waiting just around the corner from our house, out of sight from my parents. I'm guessing he was in a rush this morning seeing as his hair, which was usually in a perfectly styled quiff, stuck out messily from underneath his grey beanie.

"Bad morning?" He asks, noticing the scowl on my face.

"Bad life." I reply.

"It can't be that bad." He smiles, his arm squeezing my shoulders. "You can tell me, if you want."

"Mom said I can't see you guys anymore."

"And?" He says, entwining his fingers in mine. "She's said that before, but that hasn't stopped you."

We begin the slow and dull walk to school as I begin the story of my morning. "But this time she's made sure I can't see you guys outside of school, they'll literally throw me out the house if I'm with you outside of school. I need to be straight back home tonight."

"You could come live with me." Luke mutters, just loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm sure your mom would love that after what happened at the weekend." I laugh.

"She secretly wishes you were her daughter, I think she's bored of having sons now."

"Tell Liz I'd love to come and stay." I smile whilst squeezing his hand. "After all, it might be my only option."

"They wouldn't really kick you out, would they? Wait, I take that back - your parents are pretty damn strict."

"I can't even text you." I complain. "They've got my phone."

"You'll survive, we'll just have to make the most of our time at school. And, maybe add a few lies about going to chess club?"

I chuckle lightly, "I guess the lies could work."

As we near the school gates, I can see Michael's vivid red hair standing out in the crowd. Unsurprisingly, standing next to him are Ashton and Calum.

"Juke!" Ashton calls.

"Juke?" I ask, getting nearer to the boys. "What the hell does Juke mean?"

"It's your ship name." Michael explains.