5:15 pm
I took him to the pier.
it was getting dark out and the sun was setting a orange and yellow tone. the clouds reflected off the sky so that they were somewhat pink.
luke and I walked side by side, passing some faces. since it was a weekday it wasn't too crowded on the pier. on the weekends it tends to get insane.
there was a slight breeze and since we were so close to the ocean, you could hear the ocean crash against the shore. you also heard the screams from people riding the rides, which caused us to laugh every now and then.
"the sky looks so pretty, I could get used to a view like this." I said with a slight laugh, gazing up into the colorful skyline.
"yeah," luke nodded in agreement, but wasn't looking at the sky, he was looking straight at me, "I could get used to it too."
I tore my eyes away from sky and they landed on him. I gave him a small smile and pushed my hair behind my ear. he looked at me with all that he had in him. as if he was trying to figure me out. I couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking.
I broke our gaze and looked straight forward, "have you ever been to the pier?"
"mhm," he paused and swallowed, "I used to come here with-"
I stopped him before he could say anymore, "that's nice."
I knew what was coming. he didn't need that name in his mouth anymore. in fact he didn't even need to consume his thoughts about her.
luke looked away from me and began to look around. in the distance you could see the famous pier Ferris wheel that was bigger than my future. claudia always used to beg me to ride it with her, but I never had the guts.
heights and myself did not get along.
luke lifted his hand in the air and pointed at the ride with his index finger, "you see that ride?" he asked me.
I knew what was coming. It was no good. I knew what he was about to ask.
I held my short breath, "mhmmm." I hummed nervously.
he licked his lips that formed into a smirk, "let's go on it."
he knew I didn't like heights. he was doing this to tease me. he was such a little boy.
my eyes widened as I shot my head over to him, "luke are you insane? you know how I get."
earlier that month luke tried to get me to hiking with calum and himself. obviously I could not handle that so I rejected the offer. that trip ended up being only claudia and calum.
he chuckled a deep laugh, "c'mon jade, you've got to get this fear out of your head." and then his excited hand gripped onto mine.
I looked down at our connected hands. they always seemed to find a way to be intertwined. no matter what we were doing they found their way back to each other.
the people around us would've thought we were dating or something. little did they know that we were just friends.
I then looked back up at luke, "it's too tall."
"im too tall." luke rolled his pretty blue eyes at me.
I couldn't help but laugh at this. I then let out a breath of air, taking his idea into mind. I wanted to make him happy and that would mean doing this.
"what if we get stuck?" I cringed at the thought of this, mindlessly gazing up at the ride in the distance.
"then we get stuck together." he gave my hand a tight squeeze.
luke and myself had a strange relationship. if anyone took one look at us they would think we were dating one another. but it was not that way at all. well sure, we kissed, but to him it meant nothing. it was a silly kiss. nothing but friendship here.
"if you say sooo." I pondered, eyeing the ride up and down.
and without another word, luke began pulling me through the crowd. I slowly tagged along, our hands still attached. he looked back a few times to check if I was actually still there. it was hard to believe that I actually caved in.
we reached the part of the pier where it extended outwards for the rides. the Ferris wheel was spinning and swirling bright colors. an old Hannah Montana song blasted in the background, causing this whole situation to be very odd. what was going on.
as we got in line I felt my heart drop to my stomach. now that we were actually close to it, I began regretting my decision.
luke tugged on my hand, but I stood there in my tracks just staring at the ride with wide eyes. I wouldn't allow him to take me any further.
"no, nope, no way, I can't do this." I shook my head over and over, making my decision clear.
luke let out a groan, "jade," his hand let go of mine and ran it up my arm and rested on my shoulder, "you're going to be fine, you have me right by your side." he narrowed his eyes into mine.
I tore my eyes away from the ride and into his, "im going to be okay." I nodded, trying to keep my mind positive.
"that's it!" luke smiled innocently at me and lightly pulled me towards the gates.
my eyes widened once Luke draped his hand onto my lower back, guiding me into the ride. we took a seat in the cart, Luke sat on the opposite bench facing me.
The worker slammed the door shut, causing me to jump, and gave it a bang to make sure it was secure. I was breathing a bit more harder than usual. I shot over to Luke, who was gazing at the view.
the worker spun back around and made his way over to the box that controlled the ride. he did a little nod and then it started.
I jumped as the cart rocked back and fourth, slowly rising to the top.
"l-luke!" i stuttered over my words, grasping onto the pole that was in between us both.
luke tore his eyes away from the view and back at me. he chuckled at how pathetic I looked. he stood up some and made his way next to me.
luke placed his hand onto my thigh, resting there for assurance. my hands clenched onto the pole like this was a life or death situation.
we weren't even fully up at the top yet, but we were above the ocean. I squeezed my eyes shut as the scenery below became smaller.
that same damn hannah montana song rang across the pier.
'He's got something special
He's got something special
And when he's looking at me, I wanna get all sentimental'
it was driving me insane, but luke seemed to have fun with it.
we were now at the very top of the wheel and the ride came to a stop. there were people at the bottom who needed to get on the ride, and of course we were up at the top at the time.
as it stopped I let out a short gasp and bit down on my lower lip, just wanting this all to be over.
"jaaadee," luke chuckled, "jade, c'mon babe look at me."
I felt weight being lifted off next to me as my eyes slowly opened. and luke stood up, dancing around the cart, trying to make me laugh.
the cart shook back forth, causing my stomach to tremble.
"luke!" I slapped at his knees, "you sit your ass down!"
but he didn't stop. he continued and was cracking himself up. suddenly his hands met with mine as he used all his strength to pull me up with him.
I let out a high shriek and fell into his chest, wrapping my arms around his long torso. I rested my head into his chest, squeezing my eyes shut. this caused him to stop dancing.
"don't be so scared, jade. the view looks amazing from up here." lukes strong arm gripped onto the pole so that we remained secured.
I shook my head into his chest, "you think you're so funny, don't you?"
he then reached out towards me, placing the palm of his hand under my chin, lifting it up towards his face. this caused me to open my eyes, we were face to face.
he blinked at me, "keep your eyes open."
I nodded at him as he gazed away from me and into the view. he told me the view was nice, and it was. I couldn't help but stare at him looking off into the distance.
he was the type of boy you could get lost in. every inch of him never made my eyes tired. I never got tired from looking at how amazing he was. his side profile was so lovely.
his sharp jawline, tiny set of lips, tiny nose, and his snowflake skin.
"take a picture it will last longer." luke mumbled, not looking away from the view once.
I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I quickly pulled my eyes away from the boy. he caught me staring at him.
and then luke started fumbling around with his black backpack that he brought with him. he unzipped it and retrieved nothing other than his camera, how surprising.
"speaking of pictures," luke brought the camera up to his eye, "smile jade marie."
but I didn't have to force a smile this time. the sound of his voice speaking my name caused me to feel hopelessly happy. being with this boy was so sweet and so lovely.
as the camera flashed, luke smiled with satisfaction. the photo rolled out of the slot and luke retrieved it. he began to shake it back and forth for it to develop.
"may I see it?" I clung onto his strong arm as the cart slowly began to stop rocking, though we were still at the top.
luke kept the photo for his eyes only, "how do you do it?"
"do what?" I pondered.
he looked up from the photo, "how are you so amazing in every way, how did the universe come up with you?"
I was a little taken back by these words. no one has ever spoken to me like that before. the way he said this put a fire in my heart and made my eyes light up. how did the world come up with him?
I let out an awkward chuckle, "stop, luke. you don't mean that."
a smirk crossed his face as he turned the photo around to show it to me. in the photo I was laughing, my hand covering my mouth and my eyes squinting up at luke.
"im so happy to have a friend like you, jade. really I do mean this." luke then tucked the photo in his back pocket.
I stood there gazing mindlessly at the boy. he was something different.
and then the wheel began to spin again with a halt. this caused me to let out a gasp as I sat down on the bench, pulling luke down with me. his long legs spread across my lap. the cart began to rock back and forth again, my heart pounding.
we began to get lower towards the ground. this made feel relieved, but it didn't stop. it kept going round so that we were heading for the top again.
I squeezed onto lukes hand, "why didn't they let us off!"
he chuckled deeply at me, "jade, that's how Ferris wheels work. we go around a couple times."
I let out a groan and squeezed my eyes as we began to pick up speed. this time the cart did not stop at the top, it just continued its way around.
he squeezed my hand back, "hey, hey look at me."
I did as I was told and slowly shifted my eyes towards him. what was left of the sun reflected off his gentle face.
"you faced you're fears, little j." he smiled his oh so famous smile at me, his tongue peaking out.
"mhm," i mumbled, "how on earth did I let you talk me into this."
he laughed along with me, silence breaking between us after. the wind blew as we got farther up at the top, causing my long hair to cascade into my face. luke didn't take his eyes off me once.
"jade." he cleared his throat.
"yes luke?"
"im really going to miss you." his eyes were torn away from me and down to his lap.
he nervously played with my fingertips, tracing each finger individually.
I shook my head, "I refuse to believe that you're leaving."
the ride stopped as we were halfway down.,
"I wish it didn't have to be this way," he swallowed harshly, "in fact, I wish you had never met me, it would've been easier that way."
I searched his weak face, "you don't mean that."
he looked up from his lap and up at me, "I don't mean that, but if we had never met leaving this place wouldn't be so difficult."
he had a point. if that one day claudia and myself never decided to go into their shop we would have never been sitting on the Ferris wheel. I would have never developed this silly little thoughts about polaroid boy. it was all so difficult and I wish it didn't have to be.
"so," I tucked my hair behind my ear, "what's going to happen when you leave?"
he shrugged his broad shoulders, "we facetime, we stalk each other on instagram." he spoke trying to lighten up the mood.
I chuckled at him, "sounds about right."
"but you listen to me jade marie, I will be there on your graduation day, just like I said I would." he shook my hand back and forth.
I smiled slightly, "you don't have to do that."
"I want to."
I furrowed my eyes at the boy, "but it would cost you so much just to visit."
luke nodded in agreement and began to think about my words. actually talking about this out loud made seems thing unreal. I could not believe he was leaving mean.
he swallowed, "it will be worth it because I can pick you up and take you back with me."
this caused me to smile, "and how do you know that's going to work?"
"start saving up now, jade." he simply shrugged.
I wanted to run away with him. I wanted to go away to Australia. but I had plans of my own here. it would just be too hard to drop it all and go with him.
the Ferris wheel then began to bring us all the way to the bottom. the guard who ran the ride opened the tiny door to let us out.
luke let me out first as my footsteps stumbled on the flat ground. he caught up to me and placed a hand on my lower back to help me keep my balance. I gazed up at him and smiled lightly.
"guess who's not afraid of heights anymore." luke smirked down at me, flipping his black sunnies over his face.
luke tended to always wear all black or any dark color.
I rolled my eyes slightly, "I wouldn't say that, that was terrifying luke."
he chuckled his deep laugh as we just strolled around the pier, enjoying each others company.
it was getting late and I had school the next day. my parents were probably wondering where I had wondered off to since I didn't inform anyone as to where I was going.
it was dark now and the only lights were coming from the glowing rides.
suddenly my phone buzzed inside of my pocket causing me to bring it close to my face,
claudia; we need talk.
I tore the phone away from my face and hopelessly gazed at luke.
I knew what she needed to say. claudia was planning on visiting calum after school today, and calum must have told her the news. she probably took in so awfully and is a complete mess.
and I didn't know if her text meant that she wanted to talk now or later.
"you alright, little j?" luke spoke as we walked side by side.
"um," I let out a soft sigh and ran a hand through my hair, "actually no, I'm not."
this caused a confused glance to cross his face. he tore his eyes away from the scene in front of us and down at me.
"what's up?"
I didn't exactly know what was the matter. I couldn't find the right words to place it. all that I knew was that I didn't want luke to leave me.
I swallowed, "why am I so upset about you leaving, it's driving me insane." I blew out some air, obviously frustrated.
luke nodded, "I think we both know the real reason why we are both upset about leaving each other." his tone of voice was serious.
I furrowed my eyebrows and began to stop walking. I just stood there and gazed at him, confused as ever.
"what?" I spoke in somewhat in a whisper.
his soft eyes focused on me, "you don't have to hide it jade, you can tell me."
and now things were starting to make sense.
I bit down on my lower lip and searched his dark face for answers. I didn't want to admit anything, I didn't want to ruin anything.
"I," I shook my head, "I don't know what you're talking about." I played it dumb.
he tore his eyes off me, "well then neither do I."
his words were confusing and unclear. it was hard to exactly grasp what he was trying to tell me.
silence came between us, causing us to walk side by side against the boards.
"I better get you home, jade." luke broke the silence and let out a tiny yawn.
I didn't want to leave, though. I wanted to stay, stay with him.
I let out a sigh, "I guess it's getting late."
and then luke draped his long arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his broad chest. my face squished up against in as we just walked and I giggled into him.
we were friends, and that's all we were ever going to be.