Love, Apple [On Hold]

Misery loves company

Apple felt like everyone was watching her, but whenever she turned around she found out it wasn't her they were looking at, but Luka.

Luka sat unbothered, only turning to smile politely at his fans congratulating him on his win and contract with his new team, making Apple feel proud, but very shy with this much attention currently on their table.

"Sorry about this, I didn't think anyone would be out this early." Luka apologized.

Apple smiled, trying to relax her nerves. "It's okay... you're famous now." 

Luka cringed at her words and sat forward, leaning his elbows on the table. 

"None of that matters to me, it's never been my goal." 

Apple already knew that she had watched Luka for the span of two years, and Luka had never craved or went out of his way to get attention, unlike some of the people she observed around her in L.A.

Luka's face turned serious, and Apple knew this was it, people were leaving the coffee shop around them and it was getting quieter as they sat outside the coffee shop, it was now or never.

"Were you just going to leave? Not say anything about where you were going to me?" Luka asked, light hurt and disbelief in his voice.

"N-No, I-I don't..." Apple paused and took a deep breath. 

"I... didn't think you'd care." She finally said, cheeks flushed and feeling utterly embarrassed.

Luka sat back in his chair, jaw clenched and eyes never leaving Apples as he took a deep breath.

"I care, I told you last night how I felt." He said.

Sighing, Luka didn't move his eyes from Apples. "I thought you felt the same, but now I don't know what you feel, in fact, I'm not even sure I know who you fucking are, I don't think I ever did." 

Apple felt someone had just run into her, because what he said was the truth, and oh boy did the truth hurt.

She had, without realizing, kept herself hidden while she invaded his life, learned about his life while she kept everything hidden away from Luka, and realized it now it had not been fair, not one bit for him.

Apple was realizing just how toxic she was coming off, and to disappear without a trace? She was starting to feel sick at how much she had misread Luka Ellis and how he felt about this.

He wanted to know her, and she did as she always did, pushed people away, even those she loved.

"I...-"

"Look." Luka interrupted her, holding his hand out. "If you want to leave, I won't stop you, I clearly don't know what's going on in your life so I won't pretend."

Apple frowned. "I never meant to not tell you... it's just I'm not good at this."

A silence hit them as Luka shifted his eyes from Apple to stare off into nothing as his jaw clenched, and Apple felt like this was it, Luka was going to get up any minute and walk away.

Apple felt like any minute she would break down but didn't know why, Luka wasn't her boyfriend breaking up with her, no- she didn't let him get that far as she so cowardly tried to escape her problems.

Luka was a good guy, the only reason he stuck around after her creepy obsession with him was pure curiosity on his part, Apple knew it was bound to end badly, she had prepared herself for it.

"Don't leave." Luka pled as his eyes found hers. "Running away from whatever you're running from won't go away if you leave."

Reaching across the table, Luka grabbed hold of Apple's hand. "I know your situation is hard, but you have people here who care about you Apple, if you run now you will lose more than you gain."