My stepbrother ~Luke Hemmings

[Chapter 9]

I woke up to a pounding headache, which I guess is the price you pay for a fun night. I peeled my eyes open, squinting at the morning light taking over my room as memories from the night before rushed into my mind. I groaned at the overload of embarrassing information as I stuck my hand out for my phone, swiping it off of my bedside table and bringing it much too close to my face.

From Michael
Had so much fun last night it was great, who knew you could drink THAT much lmao. Text me to let me know you're alive xx

From Ashton
Thanks for having us all yesterday! It was a blast. Hopefully we can all have a sesh again soon ;)

I felt a drunken smile take over my face as I read their messages, thinking of what to reply as I noticed that it was only 9am.

Why was I awake so damn early.
I mentally cursed at myself for being so sensitive to daylight as I flung the sheets off of my body, grimacing at the fact that I was still dressed in yesterday's outfit, minus the shoes. I headed over to my bathroom, which right now was a haven. Not only was there a shower, which I desperately needed, but also a medicine cabinet. I opened the cabinet to reveal all my hangover cures, fumbling around until I found some paracetamol. I took 2 in an attempt to try and ease the worsening headache as I turned the faucet on for the shower, allowing the hot water to steam up the bathroom. I eagerly took off my clothes, throwing them into a laundry pile that I would undoubtedly forget about. And right before I stepped into the shower I drew a heart onto the steamed up mirror with my fingertip, a habit from my childhood.

Half an hour later I was done, heading back into my bedroom in a crewneck and shorts with my damp hair loosely on my shoulders. I picked up my phone from the bed where I had left it and began walking towards the stairs. I knew that the entire downstairs area was going to be a mess and I braced myself for the chaos, hoping that at least nothing was spilt or stained. But to my surprise the mess was minimal, just glasses and empty bottles littered on the coffee table in the living room. I made my way to the kitchen, but again found near to no mess. However as I looked around, I noticed that the back door was slightly open. I walked over to it, feeling a small breeze rush over me, making me shiver. Although it was nearly September and Australia was nothing like London, my hair was still wet and I was hungover, so at the moment I felt cold. I hugged my arms around myself as I stepped into the garden, the warm sun laying on my exposed legs. There was no reason for the back door to be open, I couldn't figure out if we had at any time moved the party outside as I walked along the edge of the pool.

However as I made it to one end of the pool I found that I stood in front of the love seat. Just from seeing it, memories from the night before rushed back quicker and heavier than they had done when I woke up. I remembered Luke, and feeling ill, and I remembered Luke looking after me, right here on this love seat. I felt my cheeks heat up as I unconsciously wrapped my arms around myself even tighter. There was no mess out here, so there was no reason for me to stay, but somehow I didn't want to leave. All of that came to an end when I heard the backdoor creak open again, I quickly turned myself around to see Luke. He was standing in the doorway, hair messy with a small, genuine smile plastered to his lips, making my own perk up. My eyes travelled down, just enough to see that he wasn't wearing a shirt, before they darted back up again.

"How are you feeling?" He gently asked, almost as though he were nervous.

"Oh, uhm, i'm okay, and you? I'm sorry for yesterday" a nervous laugh escaped my lips as I diverted my attention to the pool, just as I had done last night.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, as long as you feel better" I looked back at him and he still wore that soft smile, this was a nice change to the usual Luke. I just wonder how long soft Luke will stick around for.