✔ DRUNK words, SOBER thoughts ✖ hemmings au

14. Independence Day

ARI.

This was awkward. Really awkward. Maybe having Luke join my friends and I for lunch in the cafeteria wasn't the best idea as they all sat across from us with suspicious and disgusted looks on their faces. Luke was slumped in the hard, plastic chair his half-eaten sandwich on the table, as his eyes stayed fixated on Ashton, Calum and Michael. Michael was the one who looked more than pissed. His jaw was bruised, blues and purples painted on the left side of his face from Luke's unexpected punch. 

"So, you guys ready for the bio test on Wednesday?" I asked nonchalantly. I had to do something to release some of the tension that harbored over our table like some kind of indestructible bubble. 

"I still need to study," Luke chimed in. "Wanna do a group study tomorrow?" 

"I'm down for that," I smiled at him. At least he was trying. I turned to the other boys, "you down?"

"Ari quit the crap," Michael spoke up, irritation in his voice.

"Mikey, we have to study," I told him with a sigh. 

"No not that... this," Michael gestured to Luke, and glared at him with furrowed brows. 

"Yea, this is so freaking weird Ari," Ashton agreed, "why is he hanging out with us? Did you forget that he humiliated you? His stupid girlfriend dumped iced coffee on you, and he punched one of your best friends in the face! And this all happened a mere 4 hours ago." 

"Guys, please don't talk about Luke when he's sitting right here," I pleaded. I looked over to Luke who sat silently and I could tell he wanted to interject. I could see the frustration in him. 

"Bro, I'm not sure this is the greatest idea," Calum finally joined the conversation. "Are you sure we can trust him?" 

"Look, I'm sorry okay?" Luke leaned forward in his chair, "I was an asshole, and I hurt Ari. But I promise that I won't do it again. Her friendship is important to me - I know that now. And you all are important to her, so all I ask is a chance to prove that I'm a decent guy." 

There weren't immediate responses from Calum, Michael or Ashton. They simply sat glaring at Luke, contemplating his offer. I noticed their eyes vacillate between Luke and I before the three of them huddled together. I turned to Luke and shrugged, even I was unsure of what they were thinking. After a few seconds of stern whispers, and muffled banter, my three best friends looked back at us. 

"Okay here's the thing Hemmings," Calum began, leaning forward and resting his laced fingers on top of the table, "Ari is our best friend, and she's been our best friend for years. We've grown to protect her because even though she acts like a tough fúcker--"

"Excuse me?" my mouth was wide open, appalled by Calum's words.

"It's true," Calum shrugged

I scoffed, rolling my eyes, "whatever, carry on." 

"Even though Ari likes to pretend she's some kind of tenacious street fighter," Calum continued, drifting his eyes from me back to Luke, "she's still a girl with feelings. And don't even get me started on the emotional range she's got during her period. Damn, she's a fúcking monster who punches with an iron fist, and cries tears made of acid. And she has a garbage disposal for a stomach, a really really--"

"Okay enough! He gets it!" I bellowed, shooting Calum a displeased expression. 

"The point is Hemmings," Ashton took over Calum's speech. Thank God, at least Ashton is more mature. "Ari on her period is fúcking murder. Don't trust anything that bleeds for 5 days and doesn't die."