The Game Show Affect [†] Luke Hemmings

~16~

Luke placed his lips on my forehead, as we stood at the doorway. I was on my way to... Do my prize? Luke was going to meet up with me later, since he was a part of it, but wasn't a part of everything, you know? And he had to pick something up.

"Bye, Luke," I hugged him, "I'll see you in a bit."

"Okay." He nodded and I started off to the airport.

***

When I got to the airport, Josh lead me through crowds of people to the bottom of an escalator. I noticed the lady Luke and I had contacted, Harriet, and her daughter, Sienna.

Sienna was an adorable nine year old girl. She had black hair, that was tied into French braid. Her eyes we almost a golden color, speckled with brown. She was dressed in red leggings and a black tank top, with a white scarf. As they reached the end of the escalator, Sienna looked up and her eyes met mine. Shock crossed her face, she quickly glanced at her mom.

"Mom!" I heard her gasp, "That's Blake! She's on the First Seconds of Summer!"

I started towards her and she looked pale with shock. I crouched down.

"Hi, Sienna." I greeted.

"You know my name? How do you know my name?" She asked.

"Well, I know your name because I wanted to bring you here." I explained. "You remember how I won my event with Luke? Well you are my prize."

"Me?" She wiped her teary eyes and I giggled.

"Yes you. Your mum is going to go with my driver, Josh, and you and I are going to go for lunch together." I explained.

After she said goodbye to her mom, we climbed into a SUV stretch limo, amazement etched on her features. Her fingers traced over the lining of the vehicle as we drove off.

"Why did you bring me out here?" She asked shyly.

"Because I know that your dad is a Marine." I explained. "And I know how sad that can make a little girl, or how scary it can be. I know sometimes it can affect how you act. For instance it made me strive to help people. I wanted to be as big of a hero as my dad." She nodded. "So I am helping you. Tell me about yourself; what your friends are like."

She sighed, "Don't really have any. They all think I'm too shy... Just a freak. You know?"

"Sorta." I nodded. "Have you ever tried hanging out with boys?"

"No." She contorted her face.

"I didn't have many friends until I started hanging out with guys. I mean, they're less judgmental, there's less drama and they tend to think what your dad does is pretty cool."

***

Sienna and I were seated at a booth. We had just ordered pizza and were now chatting about the boys.

"Who is your favorite member?" I asked, crossing my legs up on the bench.

"I don't know." She giggled. "I like them all."

"So do I. Still not the greatest fan, but they are fun people." I smiled. "You wanna be the first person outside of the house to know something?"

"Please?" She practically bounced in her seat.

I laughed, "Luke and I are dating." She started to freak out as Luke quietly approached us. I smiled at him and he shot me a quick wink before sliding in next to Sienna. When her eyes met his... She started to cry. Luke gave her the longest hug I've ever witnessed, causing goose bumps to errupt through my skin.

Luke looked up at me with sad eyes, which confused me. I shrugged it off for now, and walked around the other side of the booth to hug her on the other side. We pulled apart and I placed my hand on the back of her head. She was blushing and looking at the floor.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Luke asked.

"I don't even know." She breathed. "Its just a little overwhelming, I guess."

"Well," Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out a little box, "we've got something for you to remember this by."

Sienna opened the box and furrowed her brow. Maybe I shouldn't leave these things to Luke. He probably spelt it wrong.

"My services?" She quoted. "What services? I've done nothing."

"You're an army child. You and me are some of the reasons our dads go out in that field with their hearts on their sleeves and their mind in the game." I explained as our food was placed down and Luke thanked the waiter. "You're inspiration for someone to fight for our freedom."

"Blake?" Sienna looked up at me. "Is wanting him home bad?"

I sighed, "No, I don't think so. Because I often wish the same thing."