Our Little Secret//lh

30 • you're breaking up with me?

Meredith's p.o.v
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I hopped out of my Jeep and almost twisted my ankle—the night is officially off to a splendid start.
I scurry up the steps to the front door at 7:30—a half hour later than when I had originally told Ashton, but we aren't gonna talk about it.

I open the door to see the guys and Mason snapping their heads in my direction. "There you are!" Mason yells, throwing her hands into the air.

"What the fuck, Mere? You said seven o'clock!" Ashton laughs.

"Yeah well, I had a small crisis, okay? So suck it."

I wince, thinking of the conversation Gwen and I had before I began to get ready for tonights dinner with Daisy.

"You're lucky Daisy isn't here yet. She should be here any minute now." Ashton looks at his watch. He looked very dapper, but casual? Is that even a thing?

I look over to Luke, who's eyes are raking over me before meeting my own eyes. He mouthes me a "wow" as he leans against the countertop and stuffs his hands into the front pockets of his slacks.

He's in a black button up, only it's not completely buttoned so he can show off his chest, and a pair of black trousers that ended a little above his ankle with a pair of black dress boots.

My heart breaks as I study the smile spread across his face—how quickly I can change his mood. How could I leave him? It would be so cruel of me.

I smile back lightly and blow him a small kiss so no one can see. Luke furrows his brows before retrieving his phone from his pocket, tapping the back of it with his finger and looking at me.

I tug my bottom lip between my teeth before grabbing my own cell phone and pulling up Luke and I's messages.

Meredith:
yes?

Luke:
you look breathtaking.

Meredith:
thank you, lu

Luke:
you okay, babygirl?

Meredith:
im fine.

Luke:
don't lie to me.

Meredith:
im fine, luke.

Luke:
my room, now.

Luke quickly walks out of the kitchen and disappears down the hall. I tug my lip between my teeth again before scurrying down the hallway a few moments after Luke. I open the bathroom door and close it before making my way to Luke's room.

I slip inside and shut the door quietly before Luke grabs my hips and spins me around to face him. He tucks a strand of curled hair behind my ear, "What's wrong baby? You're not yourself."

"Luke, I'm fi—"

"Stop, Meredith. You aren't fine. Will you please just tell me? I'm here for you—it's kind of my job."

I was silent—there's no way to put this to make it any easier for Luke, but I also haven't decided what I want to do yet, so would it really be all that bad?

"Lu," I pause, pushing him to he sit down onto his bed before I turn around and lock his bedroom door.

"Mere?" Luke questions, a confused expression taking over his beautiful features. I cup his cheek with my hand and smile, "You know how much I love you, right?"

"No," Luke says sternly, standing up abruptly. I furrow my eyebrows, "What are you—"

"You're breaking up with me? Did I do something wrong? Tell me how to fix it and I'll do it, baby."

I began to laugh lightly and shake my head, "I'm not breaking up with you." I smile.  

Luke groans, "Don't scare me like that." He whines, taking a seat on his bed again. I bite the inside of my cheek, "You know how I have to go back to the states at the beginning of August for school, yeah?"

Luke nods his head, grabbing my hand with his and running his thumb against my palm, "Of course, yeah."

I sigh, "Well, I already have an amazing job opportunity after graduation–so I'm considering moving there permanently."

Luke shakes his head and repeatedly says no, wrapping his arms tightly around my legs and holding me close.

"I don't know if I'm going to to yet—"

"But you're still thinking about it? How am I suppose to live with that? What can I do to make you stay with me?" Luke stands up, holding my hand to his chest, the other cupping my cheek.

"I-I don't know, Luke."

"I can't live knowing you're thousands of miles away from me and I can't protect you."

"Don't think about it then. I haven't decided what I'm doing yet."

"Don't get my hopes up, Meredith. I know you've already decided what you're doing." Luke pulls his hands from my body, reaching one behind me to open his bedroom door before he slips past me into the hallway.

Small tears welled in my eyes, but I managed to keep them back. Luke was wrong—I truly didn't know if I was going to to stay for the job or move back here. Luke means so much to me, he doesn't even know that he's the deciding factor—to stay and work my dream job for the rest of my life without Luke, or find a new one here and be with him for life.

I sigh, exiting Luke's room before shutting the door quietly. I head back down the hallway and enter the living room just as, who I'm assuming is Daisy, entered through the front door. Ashton greets her with a hug and a she pecks his cheek before hugging him back tightly.

"Everyone, this is Daisy—Daisy, this is Mikey, Calum and Mason, Luke, and my little sister Meredith." Ashton says, pointing to each of us when he says our names.

"Hi, Daisy. It's great to meet you." I smile warmly. Ashton holds her close to him, his hand around her waist. I glance at Mason and Calum, snuggled close to each other as they begin talking with Daisy.

My eyes dart to Luke whose gaze is fixed on me. I give him a small smile and mouth "I love you" to him. He takes a deep breath and mouthes it back, making my body instantly relax. I wanted to kiss him—right now, in front of everyone, but I know that's not exactly the way to break the news to Ashton.

"Is everyone ready?" Ashton asks. Every nods or says their "yea's," but I needed Luke alone for a minute.

"You know what–I think I left my wallet at the house–Luke, can you run me home real fast?"

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