therapy | luke hemmings a.u

:: Twelve

:: T W E L V E ::

People change like seasons do. A saying that Ellie couldn’t help but agree with ever since she caught Michael and Kira. She was over it now. She decided that she would forgive Kira, though she wouldn’t let Kira know that. She wasn’t ever going to talk to her – that topic was now closed. She just hoped that Luke wouldn’t turn out to be someone completely different from whom she was starting to like. Yes, she was starting to like him. He was very likeable once you got past the ‘get away from me; I’m dangerous’ stance.

Ever since the day that Michael had confronted Calum and Ashton – also telling them that they could hang out with the ‘outcasts’ if they wanted to in the process – they haven’t left Ellie’s and Luke’s side. They were stuck to them like glue. Even if Luke and Ellie wanted to ditch them, it was impossible. And ditch them, Luke tried since he wanted to spend some time with Ellie, who he thought wasn’t still back to herself since she rarely said anything witty anymore. It’s been two weeks since the whole Michael-Kira incident and Luke had hoped Ellie would be alright now.

He was standing outside Ellie’s front door, waiting for someone to open it and let him in. He started adjusting his many bracelets. He could feel that his look on life was becoming more positive. He hadn’t cut in a month and a half and he was proud since it was a record. He had never gone longer than three days before he began to feel the itch on his wrists, so this improved his moved significantly. Though, he still wore the bracelets on his wrists to cover his scars – his battle scars.

“Who are you?” A deep voice demanded after opening the door, startling Luke in the process, revealing a tall, – though not as tall as Luke – built, sweaty, brown haired boy who looked around the age of seventeen.

“Uhm, I’m Luke?” Luke said hesitantly before hastily adding, “I’m a friend of El’s.” after seeing the boy’s face scrunch up in confusion.

“Oh,” He said flashing a straight-toothed smile. “She’s up in her room.” He said as he opened the door wider, letting Luke in before turning towards the stairs and yelling, “Ellie, there’s a guy called Luke here downstairs. Get your butt here, now! I’m Jake by the way, Ellie’s younger brother.” He added in a quieter tone, turning towards Luke with a huge smile that made crinkles at the corners of his green eyes.

“It’s really nice to meet you.” Luke said politely, returning a smile of his own. “Which school do you go to? I haven’t seen you around Eastwood High.”

“Oh, right.” Jake chuckled. “I go to Westleaf High. Eastwood just wasn’t for me, I guess.” He shrugged. “How rude of me!” He slapped his forehead. “Come to the living room and take a seat!” He said comically, making Luke chuckle. “I’m a terrible host, really.” He said walking away, shaking his head, after Luke took a seat.

“Hey, Luke.” Ellie said as she walked down the stairs dressed in an oversized, grey hoodie and black leggings with her hair up in a very messy bun.”This is a surprise.” She chuckled.

“Yeah, I know.” Luke chuckled nervously. The sight of Ellie had made his heart do a back flip.  Well that sounds stupid. He thought to himself. “I just wanted to know if we were, you know, going to continue the tutoring thing.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“Yes, of course.” Ellie smiled. “When will you be free?”

“Like I said before, I’m always free.” He grinned lopsidedly. “When are you free?”

“Well, since I have no boyfriend or best friend to waste my time on, I guess most of the time.” She shrugged biting on her bottom lip.

“No best friend? What am I, a potato?” He asked, gasping and placing a hand on his chest dramatically making Ellie burst out in laughter.

“Remember how I said you were so dramatic?” She asked with an eyebrow raised and Luke nodded. “I think it would be best if you left all this math and stuff behind and joined the drama club.”

“I am really good, aren’t I?” He asked with a smug look on his face.

“That would be an understatement.” Ellie scoffed.

“Luke, would you like anything to drink?” Jake asked, walking in to the living room. “We have orange juice, guava juice and lemonade.”

“Oh, no that’s alright.” Luke smiled at him.

Ellie rolled her eyes and said, “Oh, don’t be shy, Luke! What would you like? Or would you like some coffee?” She asked, standing up from her spot on the couch.

“Orange juice would be fine, thank you.” He said and turned to Jake and said, “I thought you said you were a bad host? I think you’re a better host than your sister.” He winked at Ellie making her glare at him.

“Fine, no orange juice for you.” Ellie crossed her arms across her chest and pouted.

“I was just kidding, El. Don’t be so serious.” He chuckled.

Jake who was observing the conversation back and forth had an amused look on his face. Ellie noticed this and shot him a look that clearly meant ‘one word and you’re dead’. Jake raised his hands in an ‘I surrender’ gesture and walked into the kitchen with Ellie following.

-

“Put me down, Luke!” Ellie screamed at the top of her lungs, pounding on Luke’s back to no avail. She did not like being held upside down, that was for certain. She could feel Luke’s laughter making his shoulders shake. “Luke Robert Hemmings, put me down, now!” She screamed again just to get more giggles out of the boy who was walking into the school from the parking lot.

“Oh, you’re no fun.” He said with a smirk on his face as he placed Ellie on her feet.

Ellie huffed as she tugged at her black Mayday Parade t-shirt before grabbing her backpack from Luke’s hands and stalking away to her locker without a single word. Luke trailed behind her like a, Ellie couldn’t help thinking, lost puppy.

And he waited there looking like a lost puppy until Ellie was done taking out the books she needed before shutting her locker. “Piggy back ride?” He asked grinning widely.

Ellie rolled her eyes and said, “Why do you like carrying me so much? Am I not heavy?”

Luke shook his head and crouched to let Ellie get onto his back before standing upright and speeding to English. Ellie couldn’t help but chuckle uncontrollably. This boy sure acted like such a child. She thought. On the way she saw Michael and Kira in deep conversation. They looked up when they heard Ellie’s laughter which she was certain the whole school had heard by now.

A flash of annoyance and something else passed through Michael’s face. Jealousy? Ellie didn’t know. She didn’t want to know either. Ellie was brought back to reality when she realized Luke was running past the class. “Stop, Luke! Hit the brakes!” She chuckled making him laugh as well.

He stopped abruptly making Ellie hold onto him tightly. She got down and entered the class with him. Their friendship felt surprisingly normal to Ellie. She couldn’t help but wonder how she felt that she could trust this boy who she had met not even two months ago. But she could, trust him. And for that she was glad.

Author's Note: And so the story starts? Expect big and unexpected things in the next few chapters! ^-^ And I would also like to say thank you to everyone who's reading and voting. it means so much to me. so thank you! :)

- Pooji