Pretty Girls ⇼ Luke Hemmings

It was 5:25 on Monday afternoon and I was standing outside of a pizza restaurant, where my date Jeremy sat at a booth. Mandy just texted me and told me that she and Rob were stuck in traffic and they’d be late. I debated not going in, but then I thought of how horrible I’d feel if I was in his position, so I fixed my hair in the reflection of the mirror. I wore a light gray pleated skirt with white stripes that fell to just above my knee and a white top with a pink floral pattern. I kept my shoes casual, tan ankle sandals, and let my hair fall down with a light curl. I only wore mascara and lip gloss. I wanted to give off a natural appearance rather than making myself up and putting on a full face of makeup.

Holding in a breath, I entered the restaurant and the cool air from the ventilation ducts sent goosebumps over my skin.
“Val,” a voice called from a table in the middle of the small space. With a small smile, I walked over to him. “I’m Jeremy. It’s very nice to meet you,” he pulled out my chair and helped me in before sitting across from me. It was single kindest thing a boy had ever done for me.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” we shook hands and he turned my palm to the table, peering at my purity ring.
“My sister has a purity ring,” he noted, running his thumb along the small indent of a cross.
“You come from a religious family?”
“More like religious to the extreme,” he laughed quietly.
“Me too,” I blushed, glancing down at the menu.
“We go to church twice a week,” he admitted.
“No way!” I laughed. “We go three times,” we shared a quick laugh.
“What religion are you?” He inquired.
“Catholic,” his face lit up.
“That’s crazy! So am I!” It’s unbelievable to find someone with parents as crazy religious as mine.

“What kind of pizza do you like?” He asked, picking up the laminated sheet.
“Oh, um, it doesn’t matter. We can get whatever you want,” a waitress came over and brought two glasses of water, setting them down in front of us.
“But what do you want?” He pressed, shooting me a wide smile. He had dark brown hair that was gelled into a quiff out of his face and a sickening white smile. His teeth were so perfect, I swear he could be a model for a toothpaste ad.
“I like Hawaiian,” I spoke shyly and he grabbed the menu from my hands.
“One Hawaiian it is, then,” he told the waitress, handing her the menu before turning his attention back to me. I had a feeling that if I was here with Luke, he wouldn’t have let me choose.

“So what’s your major?” I asked, trying to change the topic to get Luke out of my head.
“Accounting,” he smiled, running a hand across his clean shaven chin. “And a girl like you must be an English major?” He assumed and I smiled back at him.
“English minor,” I laughed. “Creative writing major,” he seemed a little embarrassed of his prediction. “But I guess my appearance kind of gives it away,” I joked and he laughed. His laugh was a light hum that emitted from his chest. I don’t think I’ve ever made Luke laugh unless he was making fun of me. Well, so much for pushing him out of my thoughts.
“I like your appearance,” Jeremy’s smile reached his mocha brown eyes. “In fact, I think you’re a very beautiful girl.” I blushed.
“Well, you’re not so bad yourself,” he let out another quiet laugh.
“And funny too! I guess you’re the total package,” my face color deepened.
“I guess so,” my voice was quiet as my gaze landed on the door to see Luke, Ashton, and Calum walking in. My smile immediately fell.

“Are you alright, Val?” He asked, beginning to turn around.
“Yes,” my answer was immediate, tearing his attention back to me. “I just saw some people I know,” I tried to shrug it off, hoping they didn’t see me as well.
“Should we invite them to sit with us?”
“No,” I almost laughed. “I mean, I think they’ll be okay by themselves…” My voice trailed off as the three boys headed towards our table.
“Valerie,” Luke greeted, smirking down at me.
“Luke,” I muttered, giving him a fake smile. “Hello Ashton, hello Calum,” I turned my attention to the other boys, hoping they’d save me from the awkward situation.
“Hi, I’m Jeremy,” he stood up and offered his hand out. Calum and Ashton quickly shook his hand before he turned to Luke, who crossed his arms over his chest and stared at him. Jeremy uncomfortably drew his hand back and sat down.

“Are you two on a date?” Ashton grinned at us.
“Yes!” Jeremy spoke. “After weeks of begging Mandy to set us up, I’ve finally had the pleasure of taking Val out,” he seemed proud of this and I couldn’t help but smile as Luke rolled his eyes. I didn’t know he’s been asking for weeks, I thought this was all Mandy’s idea.
“We have a show tonight,” Ashton told me. “You should come,”
“You can bring Jeremy,” Calum added. I figured they were being so nice because of the whole Dogfight and they wanted to apologize.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m kind of busy…” My voice trailed off and the boys stared at Jeremy.
“I don’t really go to concerts,” he shrugged.

“Of course you don’t,” Luke muttered, turning around and heading towards an empty table. Calum and Ashton said a quick goodbye and followed after him.
“I didn’t know that you hang out with those type of people,” Jeremy mentioned, taking a sip of his water, staring at me.
“I don’t,” I cleared my throat.
“Good. They seem like trouble,” he folded his hands together and I furrowed my brow.
“They’re not that bad,” I defended them without knowing why.

***LUKE’S POINT OF VIEW***

“God, what a dick,” I muttered, sliding in the booth. Ashton and Cal took the seats across from me and I flagged down the waitress to order a beer.
“I didn’t think he was that bad,” Cal shrugged.
“You’re just jealous because you have some weird fascination with Val,” Ash mocked and I glared at him to shut him up.
“It’s not weird and it’s not a fascination,” I growled. “I just think it’s cool how different she is,” I glanced over at the table to see Jeremy setting his hand over hers as she laughed. Fuck, I wished I was the one who was making her laugh.
“Dude,” Calum brought my attention back. “You haven’t brought a girl home in weeks. I’d say it’s both weird and a fascination,” Ashton laughed at his comment.
“You’re off your game,” he mocked. I wanted nothing more than to punch him. I pulled my hand into a tight fist, but kept it under the table.
“Good thing it’s none of your fucking business,” I snapped, snatching the menu out of Cal’s hands and looking through it.

I slouched down in the seat, hiding my face with the menu and staring back at Val’s table. He said something and she started laughing again, covering her mouth and he smiled at her. I wanted to fuck up his perfect fucking smile. She pushed her hair out of her face and replied to him and he was the one to laugh. God, what overkill. Neither of them could be that fucking funny. Mandy and another guy joined them at the table and their pizza came. Who the fuck orders a Hawaiian pizza on a date?
“Does Lukey care about someone other than himself?” Cal laughed, noticing my gaze. I threw the menu on the table with a loud smack and leaned forward.
“If you don’t fucking watch it,” I warned and Cal held his hands up in defense.
“Dude, seriously,” Ashton spoke, his tone suddenly serious. “If you like her, then don’t let her go off with that prick,” I opened my mouth to say something but quickly shut it and looked over at their table. They were all laughing and seemed like they were having a great time. How could she be so happy with someone else?

“I don’t like her,” I lied, calling the waitress over and ordering a pepperoni and sausage pizza before downing my beer.
“I just don’t think that he’s right for her,” he added.
“Oh, and I am?” I laughed loudly, crossing my arms.
“I don’t know man,” he sighed. “All I know is that he isn’t what she needs,”
“I don’t think anyone is,” Calum added.
“She thinks she’s too good for everyone, that’s the problem.” I grumbled.
“Dude, she doesn’t think that,” Calum defended her. “She just knows that she deserves someone who actually gives a shit about her,” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“Well, that isn’t me,” I held my ground on the whole not liking her thing, even though I wished I was what she needed.
“It could be,” Ashton noted.
“Why does it matter to you?” I lost my temper. “What, are you after her now?” I accused.
“No,” Ash laughed. “I’m after Monica Wheeler,” he winked.
“As if she’d ever go out with you,” Calum joked.
“Fuck you. I’ve got a date with her tomorrow. I’m taking her to the Paramount,” he nudged Calum with his arm and I rolled my eyes, busying myself in my phone for the rest of dinner.

Notes

Check out the cast, I added Jeremy in!