when to let go | l.h.

nineteen

i sighed looking at the time on my phone once more as i sat at my desk. it hadn't been super busy today and i was just counting down the minutes until my lunch break so i could get away from my desk for a bit. still having about thirty minutes before i got to take a lunch, i turned my attention back to my computer as i responded to emails. however, about two sentences into my next email, my phone vibrated grabbing my attention.

breadstick
you have lunch at 12:30 right?
i'm outside.
come eat lunch with me :-)

my face lit up at the text from my best friend, feeling relieved that i wouldn't have to eat lunch alone in the break room today.

me
you're a life saver
i'm so boredddd
i'll see you in 20 :)

thankfully the next twenty minutes went by quite fast and i quickly grabbed my bag before heading to the door that lead outside to the parking lot. there luke sat with a goofy smile on his face as he waved me over to the car.

"let's go laila, we only have an hour." he giggled as i made my way into the passenger seat. he started driving once my seat belt was buckled, singing along loudly to the music on the radio. it was a short drive to the small restaurant he took us too and once we arrive he quickly got out and opened my door for me.

"someone is in an awfully good mood today." i chuckled softly as he grabbed my hand and led me inside the restaurant.

"just happy to treat a pretty girl to lunch." he hummed, looking back at me as if to see if to make sure i heard him. i felt my cheeks heat up in the slightest, glad that he was now focused on leading us in the same direction as the waiter. normally i would brush off a comment like that as just luke being a nice best friend but today seemed different, i just couldn't put my finger on why.

once we were sat at the table and quickly gave the waiter our orders, i decided to question him. it's not like i'm complaining, even though it's only been ten minutes, seeing luke has made my day feel so much better.

"so why are you really being so nice today?" i chuckled softly, sipping on the water in front of me.

"i have no idea what you are talking about." he replied with a goofy raised eyebrow and a slight smirk playing in his lips.

"oh come on luke, you pulled out my chair for me and everything." i couldn't help but smile slightly at that.

"i just wanted to do something nice for you is all laila. you work so hard and you're such a great girl. i just wanted to make sure you're being treated like the queen you are." the words he said took me off guard a little seeing as he had said them as if he had rehearsed it hundreds of times in his head.

"queen huh?" i raised an eye brow questioningly.

"yes," he state simply. "you are the strongest and prettiest girl i know. i just want to show you how you should be treated."

listening to him speak made my stomach do a flip and caused my face to redden even more. i didn't know where all this was coming from or even what to say. why did luke want to show me how a guy should be treating me? before i had a chance to ask however, the waiter came back with our food.

"eat up bub, we've got about thirty minutes before you have to be back." luke said with a wink.

***

the rest of my day went by surprisingly quick compared to this morning, but i blame it on the thoughts of lunch that kept rolling through my head.  for some reason i couldn't stop thinking about what luke said. we have been friends for years and have been to lunch too many times to count and he has never been as nice as he was today. he opened every door for me, pulled out my chair when we sat, and he even insisted on paying for me even when i argued and told him i could pay for myself. nothing about today was totally out of the ordinary for luke, seeing as he has always been very caring for me but today something just felt different. just thinking about going home and being able to see luke, made my shitty day not so shitty anymore.

when i got home and went inside, luke instantly paused his show and turned his attention to me.

"hey," he smiled and patted the spot on the couch next to him as i kicked off my heels before plopping down on the couch. "how was work?"

"it was so slow today, ten minutes felt like two hours." i chuckled, leaning my head on his shoulder and tucking my legs underneath me. "but you did brighten my mood this afternoon so thank you for that hemmings."

"like i said before, anything for you laila. you deserve the world and i want to show you that."

"but why?" i ask, moving so that i'm facing luke on the couch. "i'm nothing special." i chuckled softly, running a hand through the curls i had made this morning which probably now looked a mess.

luke scoffed. not in a mean way, but one that told me he didn't agree with what i said. "laila, you are the greatest person i have ever met. do you understand that? from the moment i met you, you just instantly brightened a room. you are nothing but kind and caring to everyone you meet whether they are deserving of it or not. you deserve the world and so much more."

i stared at the blonde in front of me in awe at his words. once again today, this boy left me speechless. i never thought of myself to be anything super great; i just treat others with the same respect i would want in return.

seeing as i stayed silent and stared at the blonde with wide eyes, he continued. "the amount of kindness that you have in your heart is unmatched by anyone i've ever met. i would never want anyone to take advantage of you because of that and it kills me to know that daniel already did. he's a fucking idiot for letting you go. he lost the best girl in the world because he just wanted to fuck around with some other girl. god, if i was lucky enough to be treated like that, i'd hold onto her and never let go. not only that but you are the breathtaking laila. every time i see you, whether that be when you first wake up or when you come home from work, i've never see someone as beautiful as you."

his hand came up and gently stroked my cheek.

"what about that other girl you were just talking to calum about the other day?" i whispered, not breaking my gaze from his blue eyes.

"i think i've made it obvious that i like you, laila."

{author's notes}
oop cliffhanger kinda. don't hate me.
i kind of like this chapter. luke is so cute.
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