"Hey, Adrianne!" I look behind me to see Calum, Ashton and Mikey. I put my books in my locker and faced them.
"Hey, guys." I smile. "What's up?"
"We wanna talk to you about Luke," Ashton said.
"Oh, um, what about him?" I asked, shutting my locker.
"Well, he seems to be very upset and we thought you might know," Mikey replied.
"Well," I start. "My dad and I were invited over to their house for dinner and we said some hurtful things to me and was an asshole."
"And did he apologize?" Cal asked.
"Well, yeah, but I wasn't gonna let it go that easy. How is he being upset?" I ask.
"Well, he hasn't been attending band practice and we have to perform tomorrow, which you are to watch by the way, and he has been so lost in his own world." Ashton says.
"Oh, I can try to talk to him...if you guys want," I offer.
"Thanks, Adrianne! I knew we could count on ya," Calum gave me a hug.
"Group hug!" Michael squeeled and I screamed as they sandwiched me.
"Okay, we gotta get to class," Ashton says.
"See ya later." Mikey smiles and follows Ashton.
"He's at the rooftop. Go easy on him," Calum whispered then followed the boys.
What the hell was I getting myself into?
I find the stairs and climb to the rooftop.This is definitely like a scene from High School Musical. Sighing, I reached the top and scanned my surroundings. The rooftop was decorated with flowers, plants and there was a small greenhouse. It was absolutely breath taking. Luke sat by the edge, his feet dangling in the air.
I put my hands in my back pocket and walk towards him. I took a seat next to him and he gave me a glance.
"Hey," I say.
"Hey," He echoes.
We sat in silence, enjoying the view of the city. The blue sky dotted with white clouds, the sun hidding behind them.
"What are doing here?" Luke asks after a few minutes.
"Well," I start. "I'm sitting next to a guy who was very rude to me because his friends were concerned about him. I dunno why I'm doing this but I just think that I could help him. How 'bout you?"
He sighs. He knows I'm talking about him.
"There's this girl who's really annoying and I said some things to her that hurt her feelings. I apologized but she wouldn't have it. I'm not sure what else to do." Luke leans back, supporting his body with his arms.
"Well, how about you start explaining things to her?" I suggest. I'm kinda enjoying our little game.
He didn't respond for a few seconds.
"My parents never had time for me. Sure, they gave me everything I want, but they don't have time for me. I've asked them to come to talent shows to watch me play guitar but they always have an excuse. I didn't want people knowing that about me. Nobody knows that. I don't want people to see me as this vulnerable kid who wants to spend time with his parents. I'd always put on this disguise and pretend to be happy and be a jerk to people so that I wouldn't get hurt. I'd rather be quiet than explain my story to people who don't give a fuck." He looks deeply into my eyes as he says this.
I was shocked. He never told anyone about this but me. Why me? Does he trust me? Are we even friends?
"I forgive you." I say, meeting his eyes.
His eyes brightened and he smiled. His next action, I was not expecting. He hugged me. His muscular arms wrapped around me and his head was on the crook of my neck. My stomach fluttered and my heart was racing. My eyes widened. Instictively, I wrapped my arms around his torso. What the hell was I doing?
"Thank you," Luke whispered and I nodded.
Much too soon, he pulled away.
"Why don't I give you a ride home?" He asks.
"But we still have classes," I reply. I didn't want to miss geometry and health.
"You won't miss anything good. This is highschool, live a little." He stands up and offers me a hand. I take it gratefully and try to ignore the surge of electricity on my arm. Play it cool, Adrianne. Play it cool.
"Fine," I shugged. He led me down the staircase and we slipped down the hallway quietly, trying not to get caught. My shoulder bag was slung on my shoulder and I held onto it. Luke typed something on his phone using one hand since he was still holding my hand. I hope my hand wasn't sweaty. Wait, what? Since when did I have sweaty palms?
"Come on, the car's waiting." He led me outside to his Lexus and held the door open for me, which surprised me. He usually had his driver hold the door open for him.
"Why thank you, kind sir," I joked before I got in.
"Yeah, shut up." He says, but I caught amusement in his eyes.
He slid on the backseat next to me and shut the door.
"Have you been to the mall?" He asked.
"No." I say.
"It's still early, we could go to the mall." He suggests.
"I dunno..." I trailed off.
"Here, give me your phone." He held his hand out and I handed him my phone.
"Yeah, uh, hey James," Luke said to the phone. He was calling James? "It's me Luke. I wanted to ask if Adrianne and I could go to the mall....Oh, yeap. Definitely. I will....Thanks....Okay, bye." He hung up and handed me my phone.
"What did he say?" I ask, putting my phone back in my shoulder bag.
"He said that we should have fun and that you will find money in the small pocket of your bag, even though I will pay for everything." He smiles at me.
"No you won't. I'll pay for my own expenses." I complain.
"Yeah, we'll see about that." He says. "Hey, Harvey, take us to the mall please."
"Yes, sir." Harvey nodded.
"Sir?" I chuckle.
"Shut up," Luke says.
"Whatever you say, sir." I smile.
He sighed.
I looked outside the window and watched as we passed our houses. The trip to the mall was silent. Soon enough, the car stopped and we got out.
"So, where to first?" I ask as I surveyed the surroundings.
"Arcade."
We ran down the mall, hand in hand, towards the arcade. The wind was blowing my hair back and I felt great. I felt free. Like there was nothing holding me back.
We reached the arcade and loud music was playing from different machines. It wasn't really crowded, seeing that classes were still going on.
"Come on," Luke pulled me towards two machines with motorcycles in front of them. He inserted coins and then sat on the motorcycle. I copied him, sitting on the motorcycle.
"Okay, you have to race me to the finish line." Luke says.
"What do I get if I win?" I ask.
"That's easy. You won't." He chuckled.
"What if I do?"
"You can make me do one thing. A dare." Luke smiles too overconfident with himself.
"Okay."
"But if I win, you have to let me take you out on a date." He smiles.
What? He wants to go out with you, dumb ass. Okay. That's not too much to ask.
"Deal." I held my hand out and he shook on it, looking me in the eye. I leveled his stare.
"Let's get this over with," I pushed my sleeves back and positioned myself.
"3, 2, 1. Go!". The machine announced and the track appeared.
Luke got a headstart and was laughing because I wasn't ready. I sighed and twist the handle and caught up to him in no time. It was my turn to laugh. There is no way on earth I'm letting a boy beat me. This was the one thing I was good at, other than playing the guitar. This was easy as pie. I loved biking and this was similar, only a tad bit easier. Drifting to the side, I sneaked a glance at Luke. His eyebrows were furrowed in concentration and his lips were pressed into a thin line. I smiled to myself. He really wants that date, I thought. Well too bad he won't get it.
I finished my first two laps quickly. With only one more to go, I was sure I was gonna win. I could see the finish line a few feet away. I grinned.
"Not so fast," Luke said. He reached out a hand and tickled my side. I shrieked but didn't let go. I laughed and screamed at the same time. I focused on the game.
5 feet. 4 feet. 3 feet. 2 feet.
I crossed the finish line and immediately jumped of the bike and away from Lukes ticklish hands. I hit Luke in the arm and he grunted.
"What was that for?" He asked, holding his arm.
"For tickling me. That wasn't fair!" I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Yeah, well, I'm sorry." He apologized.
I nodded. "I recall we had a deal, yes?" I smile.
"Oh no." He groaned. "What will you have me do?"
I had the perfect idea.
~*~
"How much longer do I have to do this?" Luke complained.
"Tomorrow." I patted his soft blonde hair.
He tightened his grip on my legs as he walked around the mall. I had him be my servant for a day and despite his complains, he was giving me a piggy back ride around the mall.
"Ooo! Stop here!" I say, pointing to a store with cool graphic shirts and amazing clothes.
With a sigh, Luke set me down on my feet and I ran into the store with him catching up.
I walk over to a rack of clothes and pick out a few black shirts with prints of Ramones, Rolling Stones, All Time Low and Nirvana I also got a pair of black leather pants.
"You want those?" Luke asked, in his arms a few black shirts as well.
I nodded. I walked over to the cashier with Luke and I handed the girl my items. I did into my bag for some money. I handed the girl my money but Luke stopped me.
"I'll pay." He says.
"No-"
"Here," He hands the girl a few bills, holding my hand to keep me from paying.
She puts our items in two separate bags and hands them over to Luke. We walk out the store.
"Why'd you pay?" I ask him.
"A gentleman always pays for his lady," He states.
"Thanks," I smile. Wait, did he say his lady?