Our Communications

Chapter 8

Elaine's POV

I'll admit it does sting. Luke's mom told me she was dropping him off before lunch began and he was going to come and find me... But what happens? Luke comes into lunch ten minutes late with Kiara and Ashton. I didn't really know that she and Ash were friends and Luke almost never disobeys his mother unless he really doesn't want to do something. I can't seem to be too mad at him, though. Every time our eyes meet he looks so guilty, like he's trying to push a 'sorry' from his eyes to mine. I guess it doesn't matter too much. It's not like we're dating and he has any obligation to attempt to make me the first person he meets from school. We've just known each other since we were born.

When people grow up with someone, they don't usually notice the difference between early memories and recent ones. I do. I remember Luke being this skinny, awkward kid who would always try to make me laugh while we sat at the kids table as our families talked. I remember him trying to impress me all day when we were ten and him shyly kissing me on my cheek when we were eleven. I blushed and he ran back into my house.

I remember seeing each other at thanksgiving, looking forward to a blushing boy who might kiss me again and maybe I would smile at him more. No, then he was thirteen and didn't try to impress me all day or blush when I looked at him. When we were sitting on his doorstep, our heads only inches apart, he wouldn't lean closer. He would look at the bricks beneath our feet and complain about how even though his friends were all talking about dating, he didn't want to date anyone he knew.

Although all these things should have made me angry and irritated, they didn't. I've become even more hung up because as his detachment from me thickened, his previously-lacking muscles started to also. As he grew, my heart did. As his voice got deeper, so did my feelings for him. Of course he's oblivious. Every boy seems to be in these situations. It seems that I am too as I hear my name rising up, pushing back the tide of my thoughts.

"Elaine," Kiara says. I look up at her and raise my eyebrows. "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out afterschool today with the guys and I. They beat me at video games anyway."

I contemplate it for a moment before responding "Sure," as casually as I can. Kiara smiles at me sweetly and we all finish lunch in a mess of conversation and coolness.

After school is over, we all meet up in the parking lot; and the boys debate over who will drive everyone to Calum's house. Kiara and I chuckle because we're the only ones who realize that Mikey and Ashton are the only ones who have their cars at school. Finally, the argument cools down. "How about I just drive everyone to Cal's house?" Ashton reasons. "I have space in my car for six people."

"Yeah," Mikey says. "That's because you have a forty five year old car from the seventies. Nobody wants to ride in that."

Kiara grins. "I do," she pipes up. "I'd do so proudly."

"Of course," Michael mutters. "You just have to associate yourself with anything vintage, so not punk rock."

"So very punk rock," Kiara corrects him.

"You're just jealous because..." Michael stops talking as Nina stomps up to us.

"What's wrong?" I ask her, worriedly. She groans.

"Well, if it isn't obvious, I missed the bus and Ada already left school early for a dentist appointment. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"You could come with us if your mom or dad can't pick you up. Elaine and I are probably just going to be hanging around in the kitchen," Kiara suggests. Nina sucks on the inside of her cheek.

"I could take you home," Mikey says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was going to suggest playing at my place instead, so Ash could drive the others over."