The air nipped at Sophia's ears as she pulled off her helmet and climbed off her bike on a chilly Wednesday morning. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she adjusted her bag on her back and began walking towards the school building.
There were less than two months left of school before Christmas break came along, but what was more pressing at the moment was the fact that she would be turning eighteen this Saturday ... and she wasn't sure how to feel about it.
It's the first time she will be having a birthday and actually have friends. Was she supposed to invite them over or something? She didn't know. Luke always took birthdays seriously. Maybe he had something planned? She didn't know that either.
Sophia returned the odd greeting on her way and she soon met up with Mindy, and the two of them walked towards their subject block in silence. History was the first lesson of the day.
Sophia's thoughts trailed back to two days ago, when she found out who Mr Evans really was. She hasn't seen him since. He took unexpected leave, she guessed it was to return to his old home for a few days, and they are being taught by a substitute instead.
The classroom already had a few students seated when Sophia and Mindy entered, but Sophia was confused when she didn't see Luke sitting in his usual spot. He was always such an early bird to school, it was unbelievable.
"I wonder where Luke is?" Mindy asked softly. "Did he say anything to you?"
"No," Sophia replied with a shake of her head and a frown.
How odd. He never missed school.
"Maybe he's just running late?" Mindy offered.
Sophia's frown deepened. She didn't believe that. He never ran late.
Soon class commenced and there was still no sign of Luke. Sophia felt herself starting to grow a little anxious. Where is he? The desk next to her felt so empty without him. She bit her lip, feeling something turn in her stomach. What if something bad happened to him?
"Maybe he just took a day off to study for finals? It's not uncommon to do now with them so close," Mindy suggested after History had ended, sensing Sophia's anxiousness although she tried to hide it.
Sophia nodded, trying to allow Mindy's words to soothe her slightly, but her stomach still had that feeling; an ominous feeling.
The rest of the day passed too slowly for Sophia's liking, and she found herself looking out for Luke where ever she went, but she never saw a sign of him. He definitely wasn't at school. Her worry increased.
Where is he?
When the final bell rang Sophia almost sprinted towards her bike as she hastily fastened her helmet under her chin and brought her bike to life. Not really caring about the attention she gained as she gunned down the accelerator and flew out the parking lot, Sophia moved as quickly as she could towards Luke's house.
Sophia never experienced this feeling before. The intense worry that coursed through her body almost gained her a speeding fine from her rush. She didn't know how to describe it, but her thoughts were focused solely on finding Luke. Nothing else mattered in that moment. She knew that something had definitely happened. Luke normally always texted saying if he was going to stay home.
She hadn't heard a peep from him.
Slowing down to stop outside Luke's house, she relaxed a tiny amount when she noticed his bike situated outside. Kicking down the stand peg, she twisted her leg over the side and removed her helmet as she walked up to the Woods' front-door. She hesitated a moment before pressing a gloved finger to the doorbell and waited.
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."