airports // 5sos au

ix.

[emily]

"I'm here to not be a stranger."

His words echo in my mind. Biting on the inside of my lip, I look at Luke. He's sitting on the whicker chair across from the porch swing and looking at me expectantly. He's really willing to make an effort for this tutoring thing.

"What exactly does not being a stranger entail?" I ask quietly.

"I'm not expecting to be your best friend, but I think it would help if we were at least acquaintances."

I nod in agreement.

"So, what do you say? Can you spend the day with me?"

"I'll go get dressed," I stand and walk inside, "Do you want to wait out here or inside?"

"I'm alright out here," Luke gives me a small smile.

I quickly jog upstairs and narrowly dodge running into my Mom. Once inside my room, I open my closet and huff.

I'm assuming that this whole day is casual, considering Luke's band tee. What was up with that anyway? He never wears that type of stuff.

I absentmindedly put on a large blue t-shirt and my black running shorts. I slip on my white converse and decide to leave my hair down.

I've already put on some mascara and eyeliner today, so I grab my phone and leave my room.

"Where are you going?" My Mom asks as I quickly go downstairs.

"Uh, Luke's here," I breathe.

"Your tutor?" My Dad raises an eyebrow.

"Yeah, he's here and I was going to go out with him. Not like date him," I laugh, "because he's Luke, but like spend the day outside with him. Does that make sense?" I ramble.

"Sure, honey, have fun," My Mom smiles.

"I have no problem with it," My Dad shrugs.

"Thanks," I smile and walk out of the front door, closing it behind me.

"I'm assuming you can come?" Luke smiles.

"Yeah, my parents were totally okay with it. Its weird, though, they don't normally let me go out and do stuff."

"Well, maybe they think we're doing a tutoring session," he walks towards his car.

"That actually makes sense," I nod and follow him.

I buckle my seatbelt once I'm in Luke's car, a small black truck with tan leather seats. Luke buckles himself in and starts the ignition. As soon as he does, The City by The 1975 plays at top volume.

"Shit," I barely hear Luke over the music as he fumbles for the volume control on his stereo. Once he turns it down all the way, he smiles apologetically at me. He backs out of the driveway and begins to drive further down my street when I lean forward and turn the song up. It's not too loud, but loud enough for me to hear.

I begin to mumble the words quietly when he looks at me almost bewildered.

"What?" I ask sheepishly.

"You like The 1975?" He asks.

"Yeah, a lot, actually," I chuckle, "Do you?"

"They're one of my favorites," Luke's cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

"Do you like music?" I face the window and watch the dark green trees as they pass by.

"A lot," He nods, "You?"

"It's kind of the reason I'm failing," I chuckle.

"How so?" Luke turns the car onto the highway that leads to downtown.

"Well when I study, I listen to music. In all of my subject it helps me focus, but with math, I don't know. I blank out and just get lost in the music. Sounds cheesy, right?"

"I would say mozzarella, but it could be borderline gouda, too."

"Oh, shut up," I can't help but laugh.

"I understand the whole music outlook, though. Music's practically my life, so yeah, I understand your point."

I stay quiet and can't seem to get rid of the big grin on my face.

"So, what made you want to tutor?" I ask.

"The money," he chuckles.

"No, I'm serious."

"I am being serious, do you have any clue how much tutors get paid?"

"You're supposed to say something inspirational about helping people and how that's payment enough. You know, Nobel Prize winner shit."

"Language!" Luke laughs with wide eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say sarcastically, "I meant to say merde d'un vainqueur de Prix Nobel."

"You said the same thing as before, didn't you?"

"Yeah, just in French." I shrug.

He looks at me in bewilderment and I give him an innocent grin. He rolls his eyes and laughs.

"Tu as un chouette rire," I mutter.

"Huh?"

"Nothing," I blush, "Where are you taking me anyway?"

"I was thinking breakfast, but have you already eaten?"

"Not yet," I say as Luke pulls onto the frontage road and takes a right turn. I've seen this small restaurant before. It's called Auntie's Kitchen and it was started almost fifty years ago by the former mayor's aunt. My grandfather took me here once and the food was delicious.

"How'd you know that this was my favorite restaurant?" I ask in shock.

"I didn't, this is my favorite place, too." Luke stammers.

I nod and we get out of his truck.

"Oh, and Emily?" Luke turns to face me.

"Yeah?" I look up at him.

"I've taken French for the past three years and I think you have a nice laugh, too," He smirks.

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Translations:

1. "merde d'un vainqueur de Prix Nobel" means "shit of a Nobel prize winner"

2. "Tu as un chouette rire"
means "you have a nice laugh"

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Thank you so much for those of you who are reading, voting, and commenting. It truly means a lot. I'm thrilled to be writing this and I'm thankful that y'all are excited about Airports, too!

Sending so much love,
e. nobles