ᴋʟᴜᴛᴢ | ʟʀʜ

𝟐𝟑. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐞?

This chapter is dedicated to wildflowerstyles because why not? <33 

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It has been a day since Alina and Luke had almost kissed on the beach. Her mind kept replaying the scene and overanalyzing every detail: his hands gently brushing her hips, his right leg between her two shaky ones, and his unfinished request.

Can I try something els-

She wasn't naive. The way he had gazed at her with that hungry look in his eyes signified that he was going to kiss her. Of course, Michael interrupted their moment, but how would she have reacted anyway without his interjection?

Would Luke have regretted the kiss? Am I just overthinking this? Maybe I'm too self-absorbed. Maybe he wanted to try something entirely different than kissing. The more Alina thought of it, the more she doubted the boy's intentions.

Despite taking melatonin tonight and the night before, she couldn't fall asleep and merely dozed until the sun peeked through the blinds. She was used to it, but what made it more frustrating for her was the movements and sleepy sounds coming from the other young adults.

Now at 2:00 in the morning, Alina creeped out of her twin bed. Calum's soft snores masked the sound of her featherlight footsteps, but the clink of the doorknob twisting was still heard in the dark bedroom.

Cringing at the sound, she sneaked out to the couch for a quiet place to try to sleep. Sometimes all she needed was a change of scene as laying in place for three hours without any luck psyched her out.

Pulling a soft blanket from the arm of the tan couch, Alina curled herself up in a little ball before closing her heavy eyes.

A few minutes later; however, she heard footsteps patter on the kitchen stone tiles. It sounded as if someone was pouring themselves a glass of water.

Too curious for her own good, the girl peered over the top of the couch to find out who it was. Her greenish-blue orbs snapped wide open as if she wasn't half-way asleep moments before.

Luke stood, his back facing her, in the kitchen with only a pair of dark grey sweatpants hanging lowly on his hips while sipping his water. His red and blue plaid boxes peeked out — a sharp contrast against his pale skin, drawing Alina's eyes.

As he set his glass back down and began to turn around, she flopped softly against the couch and struck an abnormal sleeping position.

Alina prayed that he would return immediately to the bedroom that he shared with Ashton. She had avoided him since the moment at the beach, sensing the tension between them.

It was difficult to do, especially when they all hung out as a group. Yet, whenever she was forced to talk to him, she became a mess of flushed cheeks, quick glances, and embarrassing stuttering.

Eyes closed to really sell the act, Alina wasn't aware that Luke had seen the top of her head swooping down as he faced the couch. With an amused smile gracing his cherry red lips, the tall man quietly shuffled over and looked down at her.

She tried to remain calm and breathe steadily, as her breathing patterns had failed her that one morning. Maybe he'll buy it this time.

Rolling his piercing blue eyes at her persistence, Luke's hands reached out to tickle her under her chin. A weakness of hers, he remembered proudly.

She squirmed for a bit, clenching her teeth as she began to lose her self-control. Soon enough, her gasps and giggles filled up the air as she tucked her chin in and tried to push his merciless hands away.