don't leave (l.h)

12.

I looked around in the fridge, turning on packages. Reading what it contained and as I found something I thought sounded gross I put it back and picked up something else. After reading on every single food or drink that our fridge contained I moved on to our pantry. As I looked over everything and didn't find anything interesting, I closed the door and sat down. I haven't felt hungry in a while and every time we eat dinner I eat as little as possible, not really finding it tasty. Mom asked me why I always eat so little, I lie so she doesn't get worried. I always tell her that I eat something after school and she believes me. But although I can tell she's worrying, she always is.

I leave from dinner when I'm done, placing my plate in the sink only to then sit in my room the rest of the day. Most of the time I listen to music, singing along sometimes when I feel like it.

I almost always listened to Try Hard, Luke had made a copy for me and I always rewinded to the parts when he sang. Every time.

Luke called about twenty minutes after dinner.

"Hello, Hopetyhope." he said.

"Hi, Luke." I said, ignoring his silly nickname for me.

"What's up?"

I sighed a little, not actually knowing why I felt so down. "Not much, you?"

"Actually nothing. You wanna hang out?" he asked.

"I'm very tired Luke. I don't really know."

"C'mon! I'm stuck in my house with my grandparents and no one else wants to hang out!" he whined.

"Not even your grandparents?" I joked.

"They say that they want to, but honestly, I think they have more in common with a fly than their eighteen year-old punk grandchild." he said, sounding a little disappointed.

I chuckled at him and then breathed out, staring out my window. It was actually a nice day to be outside. "Okay, then." I said. I could literally hear him jump on the other side of the line.

"Great! Let's meet by the playground?" he suggested.

I bit my bottom lip before answering. "Yeah... I don't think that's possible."

"What? Why not?" he asked, probably surprised.

"Are you a little stupid? It's in the middle of the day and it's not closed yet." I said, stating it so it would be clear to him.

"Oh, right. I forgot. I guess I'm just too excited to meet you."

It warmed me inside that he wanted to meet me so bad, that a smile pulled on my lips.

"But, we could..." I had no idea what we could do.

"You wanna grab pizza?" he asked.

"I just ate, sorry. But I can follow you if you want."

"No, I already ate too." he chuckled. His dark and raspy little laughter filling my ears. I lied down on my bed, staring up at my ceiling. My breathing was heavy from how tired I was and all I wanted to do was to hear his voice. None of us said anything, I guess he was waiting for me to answer.

"Hope?" he asked, his voice sounded very small. "Are you still there."

I closed my eyes, not hurrying to answer. "Yeah, I'm hear Luke." my voice rather sleepily.

I could hear him giggle just the slightest as he whispered: "Are you sleeping?"

My smile grew bigger and I almost didn't answer him. "Almost."