Clean ⇔ Cashton ✓

Glazed Eyes Empty Hearts

CALUM

Before I lived with Luke, I used to live back with my family, who wasn't ever much of one to begin with. They never liked me all that much, maybe because I never became successful like Mali did with her music. Her beautiful singing voice floated around the house and wrapped itself around my neck with undeniable strength, while she just kept on singing as though it wasn't making me wilt each and every day like a dying rose.

It's not like they didn't love me. I think they did, but they just didn't show it very often. There was an occasional time where my mum would kiss my head before I left for school, but any other form of affection was generally off limits, considering I didn't do anything spectacular to deserve it. My father has been a bit more loving than my mother, though. He's always had an eye out for me, making sure that I'm well-fed and happy enough, which is more than my mother ever did. That's how it's always been.

When I met Luke though, and I came back home and mentioned the blonde boy from the college tour, my parent's were shocked. I didn't realize how big the Hemmings' name was in this city, how well-respected they were. Andy Hemmings basically has the entire city wrapped around his pinky finger, and pretty much any official wouldn't cross him. He works as something for the government, and he has more power than any of the policeman here. And then there's Luke Hemmings, the successful computer engineer, the son of Andy Hemmings.

My family was even more shocked a few weeks later to hear that I was going out on an actual date with the boy. For once, they paid attention to me. They hugged me and talked to me daily and asked me all about Luke. His success, his wealth, his charm. They loved all of it. For the first time, I felt like I was a part of my family.

And I was happy.

~*~

I wake up feeling nauseous, my stomach twisting painfully as my eyes slowly open. They sting against the bright light, and I lift my hand to try and block some of it. My nose feels stuffy, and I sniffle a bit as I sit up carefully. My head begins to pound, and I let out an uneasy sigh.

The room is cold, and I wrap my arms around myself as I slowly stand up, glancing around the room. Luke's side of the bed is empty, the sheets pulled tightly and pillows already fluffed. I groan slightly and look at the pile of clothes sitting at the end of the bed, clearly set out for me. I reach out and touch the pile of clothing, all black for work. My head hurts even more just thinking about having to go to work today. I feel sick, everywhere on my body. All I want to do is lay back down and get some sleep.

I hear footsteps coming up the steps, and I hurry to slip off my shirt, grabbing the long sleeved collared shirt from the bed and slipping it on. I manage to button it up just as Luke walks into the room. He raises his eyebrows at me.

"You almost ready?" he asks.

"Sort of," I mumble, picking up the dark jeans from the bed and holding them in my hands. "I don't feel well."

Luke furrows his eyebrows at me. "Are you sick?"

I shrug, although I do very much feel like I am. Luke steps closer and places his hand on my forehead. He lets it sit there for a moment before pulling away and shaking his head.

"Your forehead isn't hot," Luke says, shaking his head. "How about you go to work, and I'll try to pick you up a little early?" 

He hands the offer to me like a gift, as though he's being generous, but all I want to do is fall back onto the bed and shut my eyes for the rest of the day. I try to hide my disappointment, knowing Luke wouldn't like that. So I plaster on a wobbly smile and nod.

Luke smiles. "Sounds good. I'll be downstairs, come down when you're ready."

He turns and leaves the room just as quick as he came, and I am left standing weakly in the middle of the room, my entire body aching. I let out a sigh, finishing getting dressed unhappily. After tying my shoes, I walk into the bathroom and look into the mirror. I see a paled face and dark shadows under my eyes, a tired look. Why can't Luke just let me stay home, just for today? It's not as though he couldn't convince my boss to get someone else to work for me, he's done it thousands of times before.