the tourist | l.h.

vii

Luke

"Call me shallow, but I really miss Starbucks." Calum pouted.

The group was now on their 8th day and they've stopped at Genoa for a couple days. Now, they are on their way to Cinque Terre. They were currently at a stop over because the bus needed a bit more gas.

"How much longer 'till you grow some balls and ask her out?" Ashton nudged Luke, who was busy looking at Malaya again.

Luke immediately adverted his attention back to his friends. "What? What are you guys even talking about?" 

The three boys laughed at him. "You're so head-over-heels for her, dude! It shows." Calum pointed out.

Luke knew that he had started growing stronger feelings for Malaya, but it just didn't seem like a good idea. They were going to be together for only 6 more days and then it's goodbye. He didn't even know her that well!

And yet, something inside him said that it didn't matter.

"Alright! Let's go!" Flavio said, gathering the group that stood outside the bus. 

Everybody got back on the bus and went on their way. As Luke sat in his seat, he couldn't stop his thoughts about what Ashton and Calum said. He knows it wouldn't be fair to either of them to start dating now and then have to leave each other later. 

But feelings are feelings. Why should the situation stop him?

"Fucking hell.", Luke cursed in his mind. 

He turned back to see Malaya, who actually caught him staring this time. But she gave a sweet smile instead turning away. "Do you know how much longer we have until we get to Cin- Chinki- wherever?" Luke asked Ashton before he could nod off to sleep.

Ashton checked his watch, "About 2 hours. Why?"

"Thanks." Luke stood, not even answering Ashton's 'why'. He walked over to Malaya and sat on the empty seat beside her. "So, we have 2 hours. Do I have the permission to get to know you more?"

She giggled, "Only if I have yours." 

Luke decided to start it off with something simple, "What's your name?"

Malaya gave him a confused look. "No! I mean, like- Okay, my name is Luke Robert Hemmings. What's yours?"

"Malaya Rose Rivera." 

Her name sounded like a sweet melody to Luke's ears. It was as if a bird had just sung a harmonious song. "How old are you?" she asked him. She never realized that she didn't know his age until now.

"I'm 20. Born July 16, 1996." he proudly stated. "What about you?"

"I'm 22. Born January 6, 1994." 

Luke was surprised when he found out she was older than him, but he didn't care anyway. "You're lucky to be 20 and doing all this travel stuff. You even have the whole music career going for you. I'm jealous." Malaya said honestly.

He smiled at her, "Where are you from?" 

Malaya became hesitant to answer his question. She didn't know if he would judge her for where she's from. Or maybe he doesn't even know where her country is. "The Philippines." she said, blankly. 

"Oh! We performed there once, didn't get to explore much though." he sighed. 

"Wait, I noticed you don't have a luggage with you. Are you backpacking?" he asked. Luke remembered the night she couldn't go inside her hotel room. She didn't have any luggages with her.