WRONG NUMBER / CH

chptr 52

Luke quietly tiptoed out of his room, holding his breath. He was determined to leave without encountering Calum. Nervously he put his ear up to his roommate's door and heard the familiar sound of sad songs, which meant Calum was preoccupied with yet another depressing mixtape.

Good to go.

Channelling his inner ninja, he stealthily made his way to their front door, thinking the teenage mutant ninja turtles would be proud of him. He was smiling to himself when he turned the knob, but before he could go out, he was interrupted by a voice.

"Where are you going?" Calum asked him with a confused look on his face. He was lounging around on their living room couch.

"I–uh, have you been there long?" the blonde boy asked.

Calum couldn't help but laugh a little. "Yeah. I was watching you when you were tiptoeing out of your room and checked if I was in mine."

I am an epic failure. Luke smacked his own forehead, slightly embarrassed. "Yikes."

His best friend laughed again. "Why are you sneaking around, anyway?" He narrowed his eyes. "What are you hiding from me, Hemmings?"

"Nothing, Calum. I was just...going out with, my girlfriend. Because I am a good boyfriend and you know, relationships. Dates. And dinner. Restaurants, good vibes." Luke was nodding to himself, babbling on whatever came to his mind, watching Calum's face grow from confusion to annoyance. He smiled a little. "Teenage psychology. Brain neurons, the science of adolescent social behavior." He raised his eyebrows at his now annoyed best friend, inwardly celebrating his completed mission.

"Fine. Whatever. Be a dick," Calum huffed, turning his attention back to the television.

Grinning smugly, Luke swung the door open and merrily made his way outside, wiping imaginary sweat from his eyebrow. He sent a quick text to Michael and Ashton.

to: mikey, ash
The penguin has left the igloo

Not long after he received their replies.

from: mikey
what the fuck does that mean

from: ash
R u watching the discovery channel again??

"Fucking idiots," Luke mumbled under his breath. He got in a cab to make his way to the KFC where Ashton worked, where they were all meeting up. He tapped on his phone fiercely.

to: mikey, ash
It means Im out of the apartment and on my way jesus dont you guys ever listen to me when Im talking about secret codes

from: mikey
no we dont. stop being lame

from: ash
Sorry mate

He rolled his eyes. If these little shits weren't careful, they'd lose him one day. He watched the fast change of scenery outside the cab window and in a few minutes, he was already hopping off the cab and pushing the doors open.

The familiar smell of chicken and obesity greeted him inside the restaurant. He saw Ashton immediately, working the counter. He nodded to him and walked over.

"Uh, yeah, I'd like to order a bucket of chicken," Luke said in an overly-deep voice, pretending to look around the menu.

"Sorry, we don't serve blonde idiots," Ashton deadpanned, but there was a smile playing at his lips.

Luke cocked his head to the right, where Michael was happily snacking on a chicken sandwich on a nearby table. "Then why'd you serve him?"

"Hey, I heard that!" Michael called out indignantly. He pouted and brought a hand up to his newly blonde hair, suddenly feeling conscious of himself.