when to let go | l.h.

eighteen

luke's pov

"fuck calum, it's been two weeks i can't just bring it up again." i exclaim, raking my hand through the messy of curls on my head. "what am i even supposed to say? 'hey laila, remember two weeks ago when we kissed? yeah, that was nice. i liked that.'"

calum raised an eyebrow at me skeptically. "well when you say that you sound awfully creepy.." he trailed off, rubbing his imaginary beard as if he was in deep thought.

"how about this? just tell her how you feel."

i don't know why i even went to calum for help, i don't know why i'm even having this conversation right now because laila is just my friend and she would never see me as anything more.

"calum you know i can't do that, she just broke up with daniel."

"that was a month ago." he stated as if he didn't understand my point.

"and they were together for four years."

"and you have liked her for three." he laughs at me as i groan, rubbing my hands over my face.

since the first day i met laila i had thought she was one of the most beautiful people i have ever laid eyes on. it was one of the main reason's i made an effort to even talk to her. i wanted an excuse just to get her to look in my direction.

i had walked into the coffee shop that morning with the full intent of getting my morning coffee but the second i spotted the cute girl with the round glasses sitting all alone, i couldn't help but be drawn to her. i saw an opportunity to get her attention and i took it.

"laila right?" i had asked as i walked up to her table maybe a little too quickly.

"maybe," she smiled looking up from her laptop in front of her. "depends who's asking."

i couldn't help but laugh at her little joke. "luke hemmings." i smiled back and stuck my hand out for her to shake. "i'm in your writing class."

her small hand reached out and gently shook my large hand i held out for her. "i know, it's hard to see in class when i sit behind you." she chuckled softly, showing me that she was only joking.

i playfully rolled my eyes. "well if i sat anywhere else i'd probably be too distracted to focus in class."

"why's that?" she asked seeming genuinely interested but just as i opened my mouth to spew out a flirty comment, the bell on the coffee shop door rang out instantly causing laila to turn her attention towards it. quickly a tall, dark haired guy approached the table, eyeing me first before pressing his lips to laila's.

"sorry i was late babe, i overslept this morning. who's this?" he didn't even glance in my direction and talked about me as if i wasn't standing right beside him and could answer for myself. however, i decided to bite my tongue and let her do the talking.

"this is luke, he's in my writing class. i just called him over to ask if he wanted to be my partner for our midterm since i haven't really made any other friends yet and everyone i have asked already has a partner." at this i nodded, knowing now wasn't the time to question the lie. "wanna write your number down and i'll text you when i'm free time meet up?" she smiled and pushed her open notebook towards me. i quickly scribbled down my number and waved before walking away.

laila later ended up texting me, explaining how she had lied to her boyfriend because he can be too protective of other guys talking to her. it wasn't my place to question it so i left it alone. we really did end up becoming partners for our midterm and i pushed away any feelings i had thought i felt for the girl seeing as i was no home wrecker. we ended up becoming best friends. i was there when daniel cheated the first time and for any other issue she had after that and she was always there for me too.