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Pretty Girls ⇼ Luke Hemmings

Get Away.

“I don’t know what to do.” I sighed, plopping on the bed. My legs were bent at the knees and my feet were planted on the ground, my back on the mattress with my arms at my side as I stared at the ceiling, wondering if I’d lied there long enough, maybe I’d sink into the mattress and become nothing but the foam that Lea lies on to help her adjust to the hardness of the springs. I was in the same position that Luke was lying in the first time I straddled his lap. Right before he leaned up to kiss me and—
“I don’t know either,” Lea said, breaking me out of my thoughts. She lied down next to me, her right arm resting on top of mine and looked at me. My head rolled over so I was looking at her, too, and I wanted to cry. Why did I have to let myself be drawn in by Luke? Why did I have to let him hurt me? “Can I be honest?” she asked and I nodded immediately, in need of clarity.

“I don’t think he deserves a second chance,” she stated, her head rolling to look at the ceiling, but I still stared at her, watching her face for any hint of emotion. “I mean, he’s fucked you over so many times. He doesn’t deserve it. People like Luke… They think they can just go around and fuck with whoever they want and in the end, everyone is hurt but them.” She took the words out of my mouth before turning her head back to me. “Not this time, though. He’s hurt, too, because he really cared about you. Now, he’s feeling what he makes all the other girls feel. He deserves to feel as miserable as he does.” This time, I was the one to look away. I couldn’t look at her and ask what I wanted to know. I’d hear it all in her voice, and if she gave me the answer I didn’t want, I didn’t want her to see me cry. She’d seen my tears enough lately.

“Do you think he was with other girls?” I asked. “When he was with me?” She was silent for a long time.
“No. Actually, I don’t.” Sincerity was hinted in her voice. “Since I’ve known him, he’s had a different girl everyday. But not with you. With you, he was different. It was like… Like no one else mattered.” I wished that were true. If no one else mattered, he wouldn’t have taken the video. Or he’d at least tell me about it.
“I don’t get it.” I let out a dry laugh. “He changed—in a lot of ways—and he didn’t even tell me or try and make it right. He just shows up and expects me to accept his apology.” I looked back at Lea, who was combing her fingers through her hair.
“I don’t think you should forgive him.” Silence fell on us. “Well… I mean, unless he does something really fucking special, because he fucked up really bad.”

“I wish I could just get away,” I admitted, sitting up. Lea followed in my lead, grabbing my hand.
“Where would you go?” she asked.
“With my mom and dad. Go see my nephew.” I smiled at the thought of them, knowing that only they’d be able to make me feel better at a time like this.
“Then do it. Go. Fuck school. Take some time for yourself to unwind and forget about this mess.” I wanted, believe me, but I couldn’t.
“My parents would know something is up. And I can’t miss class.”
“Val.” Her voice was serious. “Tell your parents that you have a week off of classes because of—shit, I don’t know—a faculty death. And tell your professors that you have an emergency at home. I know you’re ahead in your classes, they’ll understand.” I thought for a long while before finally nodding. “And when you come back, the door will be fixed—I’ll make sure of it. And I’ll also make sure that Luke stays away. He won’t know where you went or when you’re coming back. This is for you.”

***

I woke up in Lea’s bed. I begged her to let me stay on her side with her and she hugged me, playing with my hair as I fell asleep. When I awoke, she was sitting at her desk, getting ready to start the day. I sent a quick email to my professors before packing, and Lea told me that she and Michael would drop me off at the train station on their way to class. The train ride was long and exhausting, but at least I’d stopped crying. I imagined what it would be like to come home with Luke, but quickly pushed the thought out of my head because I didn’t want to think about him any longer. I guess it’s better this way, mom and dad would have hated him.

***

“Valerie, we’re so happy that you have a week off from school!” Mom gushed as she joined us at the table. She invited Gene, Drew, and Parker over as well for that family dinner she was longing for. I didn’t want to see my sister, but I didn’t want mom to know I was upset, so I kept my mouth shut about the whole situation.
“What happened again?” Gene pushed, sending me a smirk as I rolled my eyes.
“The dean of students had a heart attack, Gene. Do you know what a heart attack is?” She was taken back by my boldness. Everyone was. I’m not the same person I was when I left for college, and with all that happened with Luke, I wasn’t in the mood to be pushed around. I couldn’t stop the sassy remark from leaving my throat.
“Girls, please.” Mom scolded. “Let’s just have a nice dinner.” Gene’s eyes narrowed at me before she sighed and turned to Parker, cutting up his chicken for him.

“How are things going with your boyfriend?” mom asked and I fought back an eye roll, knowing I’d get an earful if I disrespected her, especially in front of Drew and Parker.
“We-Um-Luke and I actually broke up.” I mumbled, rolling the peas around my plate and suddenly losing my appetite. Gene stifled laughter, pretending it was Parker she was laughing at and Drew gave her a hard glare.
“What happened?” Drew asked. He was always nicer to me than Gene, and often yelled at her for being so cruel. He was like the brother I always wanted. I wondered if my life would be different if he was my sibling and not Gene.
“It just wasn’t working out.” I shrugged, trying to hide the fact that I’d been crying all night about it. Also trying to hide the fact that I was lying about our breakup and the horrible things he’d done to me.

“Awww. Did Valerie’s first boyfriend break up with her?” Gene fake pouted and I clenched my jaw.
“Actually, Laura Gene. Valerie broke up with him. So stop acting like a know-it-all and shut your trap!” I normally didn’t fight back this much, but I couldn’t take it. I just wanted her to shut up.
“Valerie, stop mouthing off! And Gene, quit taunting your sister! We just want to have a nice dinner without all this nonsense!” Dad yelled and we both stopped talking, sitting up straight. Dad wasn’t one to yell, so when he did we knew he was extremely angry. Normally, he’d ignore our bickering. I guess having two fighting girls rather than one was enough to drive him up the wall. Gene cleared her throat, sticking her hair behind her ear.

“Val, Parker actually has some exciting news that he wanted to share.” Her tone was much different. Almost warm, now. I wondered where my sister’s rudeness had went. Maybe I had a knack for taking rudeness and shaping it into something else.
“What is it, Park?” I smiled at him and he dropped his fork, nearly jumping out of his seat.
“Mommy and daddy are letting me get a puppy!” He shouted and I laughed, actually laughed. It felt like the first time I was happy in days (when in reality, it's only been one).
“That’s amazing!” I gushed, knowing it was a big step for Gene to allow a dog in her house. She even threw a fit when dad brought Warren home and refused to contribute in taking care of him. As if he knew I was thinking about him, Warren set his chin on my knee, begging for food. I threw him a pea, not caring that we weren’t supposed to give him table scraps. Luke gave Petunia table scraps all the time. Luke.

“What kind do you want?” I asked and Parker furrowed his brow.
“A big yellow one! Like Warren!” At the sound of his name, the goldendoodle pranced over to Parker, waiting for the next piece of food to fall off his plate.
“Well, that dog is going to be very lucky to have you to play with!” I focused my eyes back on my plate, and the rest of dinner was occupied by Gene and Drew talking about work; Parker talking about the friend he made in daycare; and mom and dad talking about the garden they’re building. I stayed silent, wishing I had something worthwhile to talk about. I wished I could talk about Luke.

***

“Valerie?” mom asked, knocking on my door before letting herself in. I wondered what the point of knocking was if she was just going to come in, but I didn’t say anything. Gene and Drew left about two hours ago and I just finished getting ready for bed.
“Yeah?” I set down my book before looking up at her and she sat on the edge of my bed.
“What happened with you and Luke?” There was a certain sadness in her voice that I couldn’t pinpoint. I’d never heard it before. Maybe she thought that her daughter (who’s always been unwanted) was now, indeed, wanted and lost that chance. Maybe she thought I’d never have another chance at being with someone.
“Sometimes people just aren’t who you think they are.” I told her and she nodded.

“Are you upset? Do you miss him?” I didn’t know how to answer that. Of course I missed him, of course I’m upset. I wanted to scream my lungs out about it. How could I not? He’s the most amazing person I’d ever met, given the circumstances surrounding what he did.
“Yeah.” I stuck my hair behind my ear before folding the corner of my page and setting the book on the nightstand. I picked at the fuzz on my blanket and Warren came into the room because mom left the door open. Usually I didn’t like when he slept on my bed, but maybe it would make me feel closer to Luke. Maybe I’d feel like I was in Luke’s bed with Petunia lying on my feet. Or maybe Warren would lay next to me and I could wrap my arms around his body and feel his breathing, pretending it was Luke.

“What was he like?” She asked and I smiled to myself.
“He was really funny. And handsome. And he had this temper, but he always kept it under control when I was around-” I paused, lying down. “He was in a band and they were quite good, and he wore leather jackets, and he always opened the door for me, and he had a dog who was the sweetest thing ever.” I smiled at the memory of him, but frowned when I realized I was talking about him like he was dead. “Oh, and he has blonde curly hair and bright blue eyes. He’s wonderful, mom.” Wonderful, despite what he’d done.
“So what happened?” she asked again.
“I thought he was wonderful, but that isn’t who he actually is.”

“And who is he really?” I was getting sick of her questioning, but I desperately wanted to talk about Luke—even if I had to censor myself.
“He’s rude to his friends—he’s only nice to me. His temper gets out of control when I’m not around. He only cares about his dog. He hates his family. He’s angry. He’s just… very angry.” I pulled my blanket up to cover my arms.
“Does he make you happy?” I could tell she disapproved of my description, but I was truthful with her and nodded anyways. “Then why don’t you get back together with him?” How could I tell her about the video? I couldn’t, it would break her heart as it broke mine.
“He did something unforgivable.” Tears welled in my eyes and I turned away from her. “I just want to go to bed. I’ll talk to you in the morning.” I didn’t want her to see me cry. With a sigh, she left my room and turned out the light, letting me cry myself to sleep in peace.

Notes

Comments

I've just read this story in about 24 hours and all I can say is Oh My God! How have you written something (and someone) so perfect?

urgh I love this

@Alisha_PArrish101love
Arrogant Boys!!!

Can you tell me what the next One will be called please?

@Prinny1321
I promised I would finish it, and I'm finishing it!