back to you • lrh

38

"I haven't made a reservation anywhere," he tells me against my lips. "I remember you saying how you hated a date in an actual restaurant." I smile at him and peck his lips one more time. "But we do have to eat somewhere."

"Well, your car is right here and so am I." I tell him giggling.

"I meant actual food, little one." He laughs. "But we can do that later tonight if you want me so badly." Suddenly my phone rings and Michael's name shows as caller ID. I feel panic rushing through my veins. I haven't told him where I am and I don't have an excuse. "What is it?"

"Michael's calling, I have no excuse," I tell him. "I suck at lying, I know I've been lying a lot, but I just want him to know." Luke looks at the ground, he definitely does not want Michael to know.

"Just tell him you're staying with your parents for the night," Luke suggests. "Oh fuck, now I ruined the surprise a bit." He says, cursing himself a little. I frown at the tall blonde in front of me.

"Are my parents coming here?" I ask him confused, ignoring the phone call. Too scared that Michael will hear through the lie. The ringing finally stops, but immediately after I get called again. I answer the phone and put it on speaker. So the lying continues. I don't want to lie to my best friend and certainly not about something like this. Michael is always the first to know, always. This time it's Tammy because she actually wants to hear about it. Luke gives me a reassuring smile. I answer the call and put it on speaker. If I make this a lie, at least Luke knows about this.

"El? Are you okay? Where are you?" Michael's voice is almost devastating. He is really worried because I left without a goodbye, whether that is in the form of a note, text or just saying it. I should've thought this through but I didn't even know we'd go on a date on the first thought.

"Mike, no worries. I decided to sleep over at my parents for the night. I should have told you but I couldn't find you. Forgot to text you about it." I tell him, I feel my voice tremble, but the thrill is also taking place right now. I am hiding with my... boyfriend?

"Oh, well.. Is everything alright? You don't wanna be there for a longer time." He says, trying to figure me out. I know I can't be with my parents for a long time. They're the sweetest, but also very draining. I often went to his place so we, I, had an escape. Luke frowns at Michael's words. He doesn't know. Besides, I always take Michael with me when I visit my parents.

"Yeah, everything's alright, Mike."

"Yeah, you sure? Because your car is still here." I look at Luke, I ran out of excuses, I have none at all.

"You know I don't like driving that much. I went with the train." I blurt out. Luke leans against the car, amused by how I am lying to my best friend. I have never felt more guilty. Before Luke, I have never lied to Michael, never. Even if I tried, he figured me out.

"I don't believe you." He says. "The funniest part is that Hemmings also suddenly disappeared."

"How's that funny? He's probably just fucking some random chick, Mike." I sigh. Luke chuckles softly. "Not everything I do has something to do with him."

"Just tell me the truth," Michael says.

"I am telling you the truth, Mike. I just needed.." I stay quiet for a few seconds. "I feel like I need to find myself because, with all these things going on, I'm going nuts," I tell him, it's not a full lie, because these guys have been driving me crazy. "Back home, I didn't have to worry about those things, partly because of Calum, but everything seems so careless. I just really need this. I know everybody is very anti-Luke and I don't know... Lately, everything just feels..."