stalker // luke hemmings (DISCONTINUED)

4 : unsaid goodbyes

'''"My parents want to know if - Michael what are you doing?"

Michael quickly throws Penny's phone back onto her bed.

"Were you looking through my phone?"

"No, Penny let me explain -"

"That is an invasion of privacy, and just plain low. I can't believe -"

"It's Luke Hemmings!" Michael blurted out, quickly regretting it after.

"What did fucking Luke Hemmings ever do to you? I'm sure that you read my messages and can see how great of a guy he is."

"He -" his voice lowers, "I can't tell you."

"What could he have possibly done that is so bad that you can't even tell me?"

"Look, it's me or Luke."

"What?"

"You heard me. Choose. Your best friend of 10 years or a boy you just met."

"I - Luke is not -"

"I knew this would play out like this."

"Play out like what? Michael, explain this to me."

"I have to go." Michael quickly packs up his things.

"Michael, what has gotten into you?" He walks to Penny's bedroom door, forcing himself not to lose it.

"I can't stay anymore, I just can't."

"But, Michael -"

Michael chuckles before walking over to Penny. "Just let me go. Some things aren't meant to last." He kisses her forehead before walking out of her room.

Even though Michael never said goodbye, Penny felt like it was. She felt like she wouldn't be seeing her best friend anytime soon.

A part of Penny felt hollow, like a watermelon with the flesh scooped out. She couldn't help but think: Is Luke worth it? Penny has really only spoken to him once, and doesn't know anything past what his last name is. Luke Hemmings - a stranger - just potentially and unintentionally ruined her only friendship.

★★★★

Penny spent the rest of her night crying about the possible loss she suffered. She skipped dinner, and when her parents nearly forced her out of her room, she began screaming. Screaming until her throat was raw. Screaming about things that didn't even bother her that much. Her parents left her alone for the rest of the night.

The knocking on her window began at 10:00 pm. At first, Penny tried to ignore it. The knocks soon became more urgent, and Penny got up out of her bed. She wiped away her tears, and opened up the window.

"Michael, I'm not in the fucking mood. Go away."

"It's not Michael." The voice belonged to none other than Luke Hemmings.

Penny frantically fixed her hair and wiped the remaining tears before replying, "I'm not really in the mood right now, sorry."

"Have you been crying?"

"Yes," Penny sniffles, finding no reason to lie.

"I'm coming right up."

"But, my parents -"

"They won't find out." Luke begins climbing up the side of Penny's house, making sure not to lose his footing.

Luke drops into Penny's room with a loud bang. "Shit."

Penny lets out a sad chuckle, another tear unwillingly falling down her cheek. He sits down next to Penny on her bed.

"Penny, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just completely fucked up, inside and out."

"You look beautiful, nonetheless." Luke flashes an award-winning grin; the same one that Penny has been admiring from afar, and one that has always been directed at another girl.

"Don't. You have a girlfriend."

"Oh you mean June? She meant nothing to me. Now tell me what happened."

Penny repeated the story of what happened between her and Michael, trying her best not to start crying again.

"Come with me." Luke motions for Penny to take her hand.

"Where are we going?"

"Out."

"But, my parents -"

"Shhhh."

Luke takes Penny's hand and walks over towards the open window.

"Ladies first."

"Wow, what a gentleman," Penny sadly scoffs while hoisting one leg over the windowsill. She makes it down to the bottom, only almost falling a few times. Luke climbs down moments later, and the two silently walk towards Luke's Mercedes, which was parked around the corner.

After they both buckle their seatbelts, Luke breaks the silence by sighing and saying, "You know I would have climbed out the window first if you wanted me to. I'm not that much of a jerk."

"It's fine, don't worry about it."

The car ride is silent, except for the distant tune of an indecipherable Green Day song on the radio. After driving for about ten minutes, Penny decides to ask, "Where the fuck are we going?"

"I can't tell you, it's a surprise. And, watch the language." Luke grins; he secretly liked it when she swore.

Penny groans. "I'm beginning to regret getting in the car with you. We're almost complete strangers. You could be a stalker waiting to rape me or some shit like that."

Luke's grin widens, and he thinks, Oh, if you only knew. "Almost doesn't count."

Penny sticks her tongue out at Luke, earning a look of mock-offense on his face. This car ride was almost making Penny feel completely fine.

But, unfortunately, almost doesn't count.

-

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i'm sorry for the horrible cutoff (again) if i would have kept going this chapter would have been hella long.

this story is getting really sucky i'm sorry again.

on a more positive note, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO AMAZING AND GETTING THIS STORY TO 2000+ READS!! i can't express how thankful i am for all the reads, votes, and comments. you guys are my motivation to actually get out of bed in the morning and to even continue writing this story! i love you guys :-)