when to let go | l.h.

fourteen

i took one last glance at myself in the mirror in my room before stepping out into the short hallway to the kitchen. if i said i wasn't nervous, that would be a lie and it was obvious in the amount of times i have checked my appearance and went through my bag. calum was going to be here in about ten minutes to drive me to work for my first day and i felt as if i might pass out.

once in the kitchen, i began rummaging through my bag once more with shaky hands. it wasn't until luke placed his hands on my shoulders and squeezed them gently that i froze.

"i haven't seen you this nervous since the math exam last year." he chuckled and rested his chin on my shoulder as he stood behind me.

"can it lucifer, i have every right to be nervous right now." i grumbled and sighed shutting my bag. the blonde just shook his head and turned me around by my shoulders before wrapping his arms around me.

"you look like you need a hug." i immediately gave in at the comforting feeling, noticing a bit of my tenseness dissipating.

"and if you don't stop worrying you're going to make yourself sick. you're going to do great, and if not they'll be other opportunities, you're only 22." he shrugged and pulled away, looking back at me genuinely.

"almost 23!" i corrected. "that's like half my life."

with an eye roll, luke snorted. "i believe you're going to live longer than forty six."

"let me be dramatic." i turned to the door with a deep breath before quickly turning back to luke . "do i look okay?"

i studied his face, watching as his expression softened before turning into one i wasn't quite familiar with. "laila, you look terrible." he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. i rolled my eyes before he continued. "you always look beautiful, now stop." the blonde shook his head.

as i was about to respond, there was a knock on the apartment door that stole both of our attention.

"that's calum, you have fun, be safe, don't do drugs, and i'll see you when you get home." luke hurried, pushing my towards the door and throwing it open before i had time to run.

"awe look at you!" calum cooed. "little laila already for her first day at work."

with a playful shove to the arm i walked out the door before i lost the last bit of confidence i had in me. "let's go hood, i can't be late for my first day."

***

it turns out i was scared for nothing as the day went by pretty smoothly and most of the people who i met were quite nice. it helped having calum introduce me to a few of his work friends but never the less they all made me feel welcomed at my new job.

the job itself was pretty simple but i noticed it easily became mentally tiring. it wasn't anything i couldn't handle but i could tell by the number of times i ran for coffee in one day that i was going to crash when i got home.

at five i went to find calum's office so we could finally go home but when i walked in he didn't even look up from his computer screen. his dark eyebrows remained knitted together as he spoke.

"hey lai, i know i said i would drive you today but i have some much to do so i asked luke if he could come get you. i'm sorry." cal sent me an apologetic smile, finally tearing his eyes away for a split second.

i only shrugged. "it's okay cal. i understand, but don't work too hard okay?" i giggled softly with a wave as i about to leave the room but was stopped once more.