Bruises (Luke Hemmings fanfic)

~Lucas Hemmings~

My heart is pounding in my chest so hard, it's a wonder Diana didn't hear it...

"When did you grow a pair?" Mike asks, teasing. "Pinning the girl just to growl things in her ear and turn her on." He grins. "What did you growl to her?"

"Shut up Michael!" I hiss.

"Are you trying to give her your virginity?" Cal asks.

"Guys, leave Hemmo alone," Ash laughs, "He has his valid reasons."

I just sit there, waiting for her to join us for lunch. When she comes out here, maybe they'll shut up. I keep looking at the door, waiting. After a few minutes, Diana slips out of the bus and sits beside Ash on the picnic blanket. Her eyes study everything, she's so breathtakingly beautiful...

"Hey there sexy," Mike flirts.

"Hi," she mumbles, looking at her lap.

Cal chuckles and tosses a small bag of chips in front of her, while Ash passes out the takeout sandwiches that he got.

I grab soda bottles from a cooler, then stretch out. I watch Diana's eyes skim over my legs, studying me.

"Diana? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

I notice her studying my thigh gap, and quickly sit up and cross my legs. "Diana," I lean forward and whisper, "You're perfect. Alright? I got really tall really quickly, so I don't look healthy. Okay? You... you're beyond perfect."

She looks at me. "I..."

I take a big bite of my food, and watch her shift uncomfortably. How can I tell her that I was sick for a very long time? That I was like her, refusing to eat until I passed out?

She picks at the corners of her sandwich, none of it making to her lips. I chew slowly, watching her eyes fight tears.

"Diana take a bite," I say, ignoring the boys' conversation. "Please."

She looks at me, then looks back down.

I throw a chip at Ash, dipping my head in her direction when he looks at me. Then they're all looking at her.

Diana raises her eyes, paling. "Wh-what?"

"You aren't eating," Cal points out.

"I'm not hungry..."

"Lie," Mike snaps, a little too roughly for my tastes.

"It's n-"

"Diana, you're too small!" Ash insists. "Please eat. If you really feel that bad, we typically go to the gym a few times a week, we'll bring you," he promises, shooting me a look not to object. I bite my tongue quickly.

She nods, then takes a tiny bite. Ash and I exchange glances, both of us worried.

"Ana," I whisper sweetly. "You are beautiful. Truly." I brush my fingers across her thigh. "You know curves are so much more beautiful than stick figure, right?"

She shrugs, so I glance to the guys to help.

"Easier to hold, it's nicer holding a curvy girl," Ash says truthfully.

"They look healthy. And most guys like to eat with their girl," Mike says, munching on chips. He's honest. "It's sexy."

Diana blushes cutely.

"They're easier to cuddle," I offer. "I love cuddling, but most girls are bony and it's no fun."

"It's funner to watch them bounce when we're hav-"

"CALUM!" I yell, growling. "Stop being a perv!"

Cal laughs. "Just saying, bony girls are no fun in bed. But a curvy red head..."

Diana turns nearly as red as her hair.

I growl at my friend. "Cal, shut the fuck up!"

Cal smirks and winks at Diana. "She's sexy. A little on the bony side, but sexy."

I shove him over, wishing there was a way I could argue. But the truth is that Diana is sexy, and there's no arguing that I want her. If I didn't, there'd be no reason for me to act the way I do with her.