apologies // hemmings

twelve

It was on January 7, 2014, when Luke Hemmings grew a pair of balls.

It took him an after school detention, and a night alone listening to sad music for him to decide that enough was enough, and Alexis was going to forgive him.

Sure, he had screwed up, but doesn't everyone? Besides, he hadn't actually slept with Alexis, so really there was no harm done. Alexis was simply overreacting.

He continued to tell himself this lie until he made it to school that day. He knew Alexis had been showing up late to purposely avoid him, so he waited in Michael's car (Luke did not have his driver's license, hence the reason why he was in driver's training class) until he saw her car pull up to the parking space three lanes over from where he sat. He quickly stumbled out of the car and rushed over to where she was, before she could run away from him. He walked up to her car and opened her door for her, when his eyes widened and jaw dropped, cringing as he stepped away from the car.

Ashton stepped out of the driver's seat, confused as to why Luke was opening his door and why he looked so afraid. Alexis quickly got out of her car, glaring at Luke.

"Why is Ashton driving your car to school?" He spat in an accusing tone, and Alexis narrowed her eyes at him.

"He spent the night and offered to drive, is that a problem?"

"H-He spent the night? Oh, so you'll sleep with him? You barely know the guy!"

"I don't see how that's any of your business," Ashton stepped in to defend his girlfriend.

"Stay the hell out of this," Luke growled, causing Ashton to take a step towards him in defense.

"Luke, leave him alone. Ashton, can I please meet you later?" Alexis pleaded, and he looked between the two arguing friends.

"No, I think I wanna hear this," Ashton crossed his arms in defiance and Alexis groaned, turning to face Luke again.

"I didn't sleep with Ashton, he fell asleep at my place last night, last time I checked, that's not a crime; and I would have sex with Ashton before I even think about forgiving you. At least he has good intentions, you perverted asswipe," She spat. Ashton took another step towards Luke, sizing him up.

Luke's face softened and dropped his defensive stance, "Wait, Alexis - shit, I just - I totally screwed this up. I came here to apologize like a man and I just - I got so mad seeing Ashton. I started assuming things and I just - shit I'm sorry, Lex. Please let me start over," he begged. Alexis said nothing, but flicked her eyebrows as a signal to continue. "I'm so sorry. I've never regretted anything in my life more than I regret what I did to you. You didn't hear the full story, although it still does me no justice. My intentions weren't just to sleep with you. I mean, yeah you're hot and I would've given anything to bang you, but it turned into so much more than that. Spending time with you, it was the best weeks of my life. It sounds crazy, but you just get me. I love arguing with you and I love being around you and listening to you ramble about you cheesy as shit books and watching your eyes light up in happiness. I love baking for you and I love the light that I see in your eyes when everything clicks in math and I just - I fucking cherish you Alexis, and me and my stupid dick had to ruin everything."

"I think she's heard enough, you need to go," Ashton grabbed his arm, but he quickly pulled away and looked at Alexis with pleading eyes. Her gaze diverted to the ground and she said nothing.

He nodded and mumbled, "I don't blame you..." before trudging off to class.

~~

"Do you wanna tell me what the hell this morning was about?" Ashton asked Alexis as they sat at a picnic table in the courtyard for lunch.