Oceans Away || lrh [sequel to skht]

one

l u k e

It was management's idea for the guys to pretend as if they were their wax figures, and play a prank on their fans.

It was simple, really. All they had to do was stand perfectly still, and when the right moment came, they would move ever so slightly and excite the fans.

The plan was executed months before it would actually occur, and everybody was super excited to do it, but as the moment arrived and the fans entered the building, all Luke could do was think of the girl who'd snuck in early. The girl who had spoken so highly of him as if she's known him all her life.

He'd stood on the sideline as she spoke, and no matter how badly he wanted to take just one step and properly introduce himself, he knew better. It would not be allowed and he most certainly would have been disciplined had he actually went through with it.

Throughout the years, he's been appreciative of how hard management has worked with them and pushed them to where they need to be, but sometimes they're a little overbearing when it comes to relationships and such.

The boys have barely had any actual relationships. Obviously there have been some interesting encounters, but nothing close to what they actually want. There's been too many random hookups for Luke, and it's gotten to the point where he's over it. He wants something real. He craves something real.

"There's one last group, and then we're done for the day," a man calls from behind the curtain. He's apart of management, and it's well suited for him because he's a tall, somewhat lanky, business man who's always got a cell phone glued to his ear.

Luke sighs out of relief. Even though he's thoroughly enjoyed surprising the hundreds of fans that showed up today, he's a bit exhausted, physically and mentally.

The last group walks up and it consists of two teenage girls. They look to be close to the same age as the guys, probably seventeen or eighteen. One has blonde hair and the other has reddish hair slightly hidden under a snap back.

For a moment, his heart skips a beat because this girl resembles the girl from earlier, but the feeling passes as she nears. It's not her.

He attempts to hide his disappointment and act as the statue, but he's afraid he's failed to do so.

The girls stands between him and Calum, and after a few seconds, the two band members say 'cheese' for the picture, and the girls instantly freak out.

"Surprise," Calum jokes while hugging the blonde. She's absolutely overjoyed.

"Hey," Luke says, quickly hugging the red head.

Michael and Ashton give them hugs and greetings as well before the girls walk away.

As the other three get their stuff together, Luke walks over to a guy working behind the counter. He also looks to be around the same age.

"Hi," Luke begins, resting his hands gently on the counter, "could I ask you a question?"

"Sure," he answers.

"Uhm, before this whole thing started," he gestures behind him, "there were two girls who came by the actual statues. They were about our age and one of them had vibrant red hair...," he trailed off as the guy behind the counter nodded his head.

"Uh, yeah." He tilts his head back as he seems to recollect the girls from about three hours ago. "They're kinda, sorta friends of mine."

"Really?" Luke asks excitedly.

"Well, I mean, sorta. I go to school with them, but I only really know the one girl," he mumbles. Luke looks at him expectantly, waiting for him to identify which one he knows. "The blonde, I know the blonde. She's a friend of my brother's."

Luke's mood instantly deflates. He twiddles his thumbs as he slowly backs away from the counter.

"Oh, okay." He turns toward his band mates, but turns quickly on his heels as another question pops into his head.

"The blonde -- what's her name?"

"Uh, Ashton. Her names Ashton."

"Ashton," Luke smiles.

What a coincidence, He thinks. He and this mystery girl both have friends named Ashton. Maybe that's a sign.

••
hello! i apologize if this is kinda a blah chapter, but it's just an intro to luke's journey to find mae, yay!

what do you guys think so far?
i'm excited! :)

xoxo,
jules