Dear Diary

Chapter 107

A few moments later, the door slowly creaked open and what Sophia saw made cold chills run down her spine. Luke's tired, bloodshot eyes stared at her for a moment before they widened, realising who she was. He immediately straightened slightly, but his shoulders were still hunched.

"Soph?" he asked, his voice hoarse and low, cracking slightly.

"What's wrong?" Sophia immediately asked. 

She knew that something had happened. Why else wouldn't he be at school?

Luke bit his bottom lip before slowly stepping outside, and closed the door softly behind him. Sophia couldn't help but take in his entire appearance. He was still in his navy coloured pyjamas, his hair a mess, and dark circles prominent under his eyes. 

If you looked closely you could just make out the start of a slight stubble, proving he hadn't shaved that morning.

"Luke?" Sophia pressed. 

He was really starting to worry her now.

Luke didn't say anything and instead moved towards the outdoor bench situated on their porch. He sat down with a heavy sigh and threaded his fingers through his hair. Sophia hesitantly followed and sat down next to him, not knowing what to do.

A tense silence past over them for a moment as Sophia watched Luke battle to find the words to say what was bothering him.

"My grandpa passed away," he finally whispered and Sophia's eyes widened.

She only knew of one grandpa that Luke had (his mother's dad) and he had come from California when it was the twins' thirteenth birthday party. Sophia hadn't spoken to him for long, but he was such a jolly soul that it was impossible not to like him. But he had been old, almost eighty-eight, yet still so full of life.

Luke swallowed. "He'd been sick for a while, but we weren't expecting him to ... We heard last night. My mom didn't take it well," he said softly and took a shuddering breath, placing his elbows on his knees and covering his face with his hands.

Sophia didn't know what to do as she watched Luke trying to keep it together. She barely remembered her grandparents, she was five when she last saw them, so she never developed the deep connection with them that Luke had with his. She's never experienced that kind of loss and didn't quite know how to console him, but the sight of Luke looking so upset somehow upset her, that she wanted to try and remove that pain; see him smile.

Letting her body act of its own accord, she slowly reached out and wrapped an arm around Luke's shoulders. She felt him tense a moment before leaning into her touch. She brought her other arm around his front and cupped the side of his face, gently coaxing him to move towards her. She felt Luke's body deflate as he collapsed his head against her chest and wrapped his own arms tightly around her.

Sophia said nothing as Luke buried his face into the front of her jacket and gripped her waist tightly as his shoulders started to shake from the grief he was experiencing. Sophia drew one of her hands to his soft, light brown locks and gently combed her fingers through them in an attempt to soothe him. 

She felt his shaking grow less at her actions.

Silence encompassed them for a long time as Sophia continued to comb his hair, silently comforting him and letting him know that it would be fine. Sophia couldn't help but notice how the roles had reversed. It always felt like Luke was there whenever she needed someone, now for once she was there to help him.

They stayed in that position for so long that Sophia honestly thought that Luke had fallen asleep when he muttered in a hoarse voice. "We're leaving for California tonight and only coming back next week." His grip tightened on her waist. "I'm sorry I won't be there for your birthday."

Sophia closed her eyes as she felt her heart warm at his words. This boy, he always thought of others before himself. 

"It's fine. You don't have to explain anything to me; I understand."

"No," Luke said and slowly removed himself from her side. 

Sophia tried to ignore how cold she suddenly felt. She looked up at Luke's still downcast face as he began digging for something in his pocket. Her eyes widened as he produced a small velvet box and offered it to her. 

"It's small, but ..." Luke trailed off and looked away, embarrassment creeping onto his cheeks.

Sophia hesitantly took the small box from his outstretched palm and carefully opened it. Her eyes widened and a small gasp passed her lips as she stared at the piece of jewellery. It was a necklace with a rose gold chain, and attached to it was her name in cursive writing and studded with small crystals. The sheer beauty of it left her speechless.

Luke scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Um, I know you're not one for girly things, but-"

"I love it," Sophia whispered as she slowly traced her finger along the surface of her name. 

She was never one to show strong emotion for anything, but this gesture went deeper than she could have ever imagined. No-one, in her whole life, had ever done something like this for her. Slowly she looked up at Luke's shocked face and she gave him one of her rarest smiles, her heart truly touched by his thoughts and actions.

"Thank you."