Elizabeth's pov

I leaned against the car window, stifling a yawn, and balancing my head on my open palm as I stared at my cellphone.

Beckett and I were texting and Abigail decided to grace me, Luca, and Madeline with her voice by sharing tits and bits about her life even though nobody gave a wet rat.

She was in the middle of a conversation about how embarrassed she felt when one of her friends showed up to a party wearing white after labor day.

My phone buzzed in my hand and I sighed, trying to block out Abigail's excessive talking as I read the text from Beckett. I did miss home, but now I miss seeing you every day. I smiled at the text. He was a charmer. He knew exactly what to say to make someone smile.

It's just for a few weeks. We'll be back at the campus housing soon. I replied.

Beckett sent me the thinking emoji. So you don't miss me? He asked adding the smirking emoji. I did miss all of my friends, but I wasn't sure if I missed him the way he missed me.

Afflicted by my overthinking, I decided to send him the laughing face and eye roll emoji before switching my phone off. As soon as I put my phone down Abigails talking hit my ears with full force since I had nothing to distract myself with.

I looked at Luca who was glaring ahead of him, looking like he was about to burst into flames as he clenched his jaw and thrummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. He was annoyed and holding his tongue from silencing her.

I leaned over to him and he cocked an eyebrow at me. "Hopefully it's just a few more minutes to wherever they taking us," I whispered and the scowl on his face softened a bit as he let out a breath of exhaustion.

"If not you may have to stab me in both my ears princess," he whispered.

"What are you guys whispering and being so secretive about?" Abigail asked and I sat back onto my seat.

She shimmied half her body into the front seat of the car as she looked between me and Luca. If Luca had to suddenly hit brakes she'd fly through the windscreen.

"Couple stuff," Luca shrugged.

"That's so adorable," her voice went high and I looked at her through the car's review mirror. Besides her sat Madeline who was silent and busy on her cellphone. "It's hard to imagine that maybe one day we'd be here for your wedding Lu-."

I made a mental note of how she said 'his wedding' and not 'your wedding' as in him and me. She would be right but at the same time, she wasn't right to think that he wouldn't marry me. As far as she knew we were in a relationship.

"Yeah," Luca cleared his throat. "What kind of wedding would you like love?" He asked glancing at me and catching me off guard.

The question had the hairs on my body standing, like a spooked alley cat. "Ur-" I thought. I didn't have to give him a real answer I wasn't really marrying him.

Why did I have to overthink all the time.

Abigail was staring at the side of my head with an arched eyebrow waiting patiently for my answer. "Does it matter? As long as we together," I smiled endearingly. Luca glanced at me, a Hmm sound left his lips and Abigail sat back down in the seat again.

The car went silent and it was as if Luca and I had the same thought because we both glanced up at the review mirror to get a glance at Abigail's reaction. It's like she stopped breathing or forgot the English language altogether.

Luca and I then looked at each other with smiles on our faces. He turned back to the road all the while still grinning that we managed to silence her.

A part of me felt bad for her. She was so obsessed with Luca, but he loved Allison. She focused her hatred on the wrong person because I wasn't the one standing in her way of being with him.

I had to wonder why she was so in love with him, to begin with. He never spoke to her properly, never smiled. He made it a point to shut down every conversation he had with her. Did she only like him because of the way he looked.

He was handsome, but then he opened his mouth and his cursed tongue shattered the Adonis imagery almost immediately.

Other than his sometimes ratchet personality he kept to himself and considered those he lived with. I appreciated the fact that he cleaned up after himself. I thought sharing a bathroom and room with him would be like sharing a room with a pig but he was a gentleman about it.

I realized that I was staring at him. I looked away immediately hoping he didn't notice or else he'd be in his glories teasing me about it when he got the chance.

I shifted my concentration to the cars in front of us. Luca was following Steph and Christian's car who was following Mia and the others.

The roads got busier and the streets turned industrial. Luca started to drive slower as he followed the car. He followed Christian, turning into a parking lot and turning off the ignition.

I removed my seat belt and got out of the car. I felt like I had sea legs. Every step I took I feared I would hit the ground and break my face. I tried to pull my dress down but as much as I pulled the dress was still too short.

I walked around the car to join Luca and the rest of them. In the parking lot stood James, Amelia, Mia, Suzanne, and Carlos.

Stephanie and Christian got out of their car and Stephanie beamed as she stared up at the large building that had the word 'fireflies' written in LEd lights.

Stephanie walked over to Mia with a huge smile of appreciation on her face and open arms. "I love it, Mia. Thank you." She engulfed Mia in a hug.

"I knew you would," Mia beamed.

The sky was already darkening. Instead of the beautiful orange and yellow hues, you'd get to see in the sky when watching a sunset. The sky just darkened as if someone up there dimmed the lights. I had to wonder why the sun hated England so much to rob it of beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

Luca took my hand in his, entwining our fingers. I looked up at him and decided well to hell with it. He was going to do these things as long as people were around us.

I just wish my heart wouldn't try to burst out my ribcage every time he did though.

I caught James looking at us from the corner of my eye and he gave me a wink which I returned with an all-knowing smile. "What are you two looking so pally about?" Luca questioned.

"Oh, nothing." I haven't thought of telling Luca that James knew what we were up to. I was curious to know how he would react to someone calling our bluff, but I promised James that I wouldn't tell him.

A guy wearing a tuxedo held the door open as everyone piled into the building. There was a live band on the stage playing a slow song. Everyone seated at the tables and booths was entranced as they allowed their bodies to sway to the music.

By the bottom of the stage where the musicians played, slow dancing couple's occupied the dance floor. The place just had a peaceful aura to it. The lights were dim adding to the peaceful calm atmosphere. The club had a clean theme of black and gold. The seating arrangements were black with gold borders. The dim lighting had a gold tint effect that bounced off the vinyl flooring.

Mia exchanged a few words with a man dressed in a similar uniform to the doorman and he lead us to the table. Luca pulled out my chair for me and I took my seat. Stephanie took her seat next to me and Christian sat next to her.

Abigail was looking at the chair next to Luca, contemplating her options, but before she could react James pulled out Amelia's chair and sat down next to Luca.

James you sweet sweet man.

Across from us were seated Mia, Suzzanne, Madeline, Abigail (who took her seat in front of Luca), and Carlos. Menus were placed in front of us and I glanced down at it to see a large selection of alcoholic drinks.

"Do you drink princess? I know we met when you were..." Luca trailed. "But do you generally?" He asked and I shook my head.

"That was my first time," I admitted and he didn't look all that shocked. I still couldn't believe that he stayed with me that night until Blaire and Himari found us.

A waiter came by and everyone placed their drink orders. I ordered a virgin mojito and so did Stephanie. Christian didn't order anything alcoholic as well. I thought it was sweet that he didn't want to consume alcohol while Stephanie couldn't. The brute next to me, Luca ordered a whiskey.

Everyone sipped their drinks as they engaged in light conversation paying heed not to make unnecessary noise and drown out the band's music. Abigail was engrossed in conversing with Carlos who looked as if he wanted to disappear into his seat.

Stephaine and Christian stood up from the table getting our attention. "Let's go have a dance," Stephanie said and Luca groaned from next to me. Mia and Suzzane stood up and went to join them on the dance floor.

Christian wrapped his arms around Stephanie as she rested her head on his shoulder both of them swaying to the music. Then James and Amelia soon stood and went over to the dancefloor. Leaving just me, Luca, Carlos, Madeline, and Abigail at the table.

Luca gulped down the whiskey in one go and slammed the glass down on the table. "Come on," he said taking ahold of my hand and pulling me up from my seat like a barbarian.

"I can't dance," I tried to say as he pulled me to the dancefloor. He let go of me and I folded my arms as I  stared at him. "Now what?" I asked in annoyance. "Did you drag me here to stand like a statue?" I whispered.

He pulled me towards him and his hands fell to my waist. "Just relax," he whispered. His breath a mixture of the brewed whiskey and mint. I sighed and allowed my body to relax. I looked around at how everyone danced with their heads on their partner's chest or shoulder and I followed suit placing my head on Luca's chest and one hand around his body. I left my other hand to fall on his chest. His arms around me tightened and I felt like I was in a cacoon. "See you dancing. Just don't step on my foot princess."

It wasn't that bad. I was starting to loosen up and enjoy the music." I didn't peg you to be the type to dance," my voice came out throaty almost like I was about to fall asleep.

"I'm practically a professional," he whispered. "I can do the electric slide, the robot, and even the chicken dance," he chuckled and I smacked him on his chest which only encouraged his laughter. His chest vibrated as he laughed and I felt that sensation against my cheek.

I was completely engulfed in his scent. A mixture of mint and his famous cologne. The smell always brought a sense of nostalgia to me. A sense of safety. It brought back all memories of him and I being close. The way he held onto me felt normal and yet it shouldn't have felt that way. Our bodies were swaying to the music, mimicking each other's movements.

I shut my eyes for a moment relishing the peace for a while and as I drowned out every plaguing thought I could hear his steady heartbeat indicating that he was also at peace.

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As soon as we got back to the house I took a shower. I was glad to be rid of the tight sequenced dress and heels. I got into a pair of track pants and one of my favorite sweaters.

I exited the bathroom and heard Luca talking to someone."Okay, I'll tell her you called. You too. Bye," he said politely and I noticed he had my phone in his hand.

I felt like a bucket of ice water had fallen on me. "Who, who were you talking to?" I stuttered as I walked over to the bed.

"Oh no one peanut," he said, putting emphasis on the endearing nickname my parents only used on me. My eyes widened.

How dare him.

"Evil spawn of the devil. Who said you could touch my phone?"

He licked his bottom lip. "Well, I just did. What are you going to do about it peanut?" I let out a frustrated growl and picked up a pillow from the bed and threw it at him. It hit him dead in the face and fell to the ground.

He picked up the pillow from the floor while laughing cynically. "Bad move love," he said and threw the pillow back at me. I was too slow and the pillow smacked me in the face causing me to stumble back.

Luca burst out into laughter which only fueled my irritation. I picked the pillow up and threw it at the bed. "Are you mental?" He questioned, pointing at his head with a smirk and I had it with him.

I walked around the bed and lunged at him. I was going to do it. I was finally going to put an end to my tormentor by wrapping my hands around his throat and causing his untimely death.

Seeing the attack coming he caught both my hands and held them behind my back as he chuckled. "Let me go," I snapped at him.

He held me against him as if I was nothing and I struggled to get out of his grip. His face was just inches away from mine. "Calm your shit princess or else," he warned.

"Or else what?" I challenged and he smiled darkly as he raised an eyebrow at me. "What did you say to my mom?" Panic was evident in my voice and I had hoped that he didn't mention that I was in England with him.

"I didn't say anything to her," he shrugged. "She just wanted to know where you were and I told her you were in the bathroom. Does she know you in England?" He asked letting go of his tight grip on me and I shook my head.  His eyes widened and I took a few steps back creating some space between us. "How could you not tell her?"

"Because she would never let me leave the country with a man she has never met." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sat down on the bed. He was still in his formal clothes.

"You might want to call her back." He held the phone out to me.

I took the phone from his outstretched hand and moved to go out the door. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"To call my mom. We might be a while on the phone."

I walked down the hallway and went to the library. I sat on the sofa and called up my mother. She answered on the third ring. "Peanut," she said and I smiled.

"Hi, mom."

"How are you dear?" She asked and I nodded even though she couldn't see me.

"I'm fine. How are you doing?"

"Fine dear. Who was the man that answered your phone?" She asked calmly. In fairness, I thought that would have been her first question but she waited a while to ask.

"A friend of mine."

"Does this friend have a name?" my mother asked suggestively and I groaned knowing what she was hinting at.

"Mother he is just my friend," I defended and she chuckled.

"I didn't say anything peanut. He sounds English and handsome."

"He is... English I mean." I facepalmed myself.

She chuckled. She was enjoying teasing me about a boy. She was probably grinning from ear to ear because I once told her I wasn't interested in romantic relationships and she told me I would think otherwise one day when the right man came along.

She probably thought that her words had come to manifest. "Nevermind him, mom. How's work at Caltech."

We got into a conversation about how she was a secret Santa to a paleontologist. She had no idea what to buy the guy and she spent a while telling me about her various gift choices. She then told me about my aunt Aubrey and the bakery my aunt was planning on opening.

Time got away from us as we spoke. I barely spoke because there wasn't much I could tell her. After we said our goodnights. I yawned and stood up from the seat.

I walked back to the room to find Luca had already showered and was dressed in a pair of sweat pants and a vest. Was the man a polar bear it was freezing.

He sat at the foot of the bed with a headset on. He was playing Fifa on the tv. "Fuck," he screamed at the tv. "You fucking idiot."

My eyebrows furrowed as I stared at him and then back at the tv. He removed the headset and tossed it aside. "Ah, I'm sorry man my bad," A guy's voice came from the headset.

Luca sighed, running a hand down his face. "Can I play?" I asked moving to the bed and taking the controller out of his hand.

"Excuse me?" He cocked an eyebrow.
"Do you even know how?"

"I used to play with my cousin Andrew after his brother went off to university."

He shrugged. "Well before now Steph was the only girl I knew that liked to play. Go ahead, princess. Let's see how good you are then."

"Hey there is no need to call me a princess," the guy's voice came from the headset again.

"I wasn't talking to... Nevermind," Luca growled. "Go learn how to play football you fucktard!" Luca yelled at the headset.

"Alright man same time tomorrow then?"

"We'll see bro," Luca told him. My eyebrows scrunched listening to their conversation.

Boys are weird.

I started the game and picked Manchester City since it was Andrew's favorite team. I messed up a few times missing a few goals but as the game went on it slowly started to come back to me.

"Not bad," Luca sounded impressed. He got up from the bed and went to his desk getting another controller. "Now you get to verse me."

He sat next to me on the bed and I crossed my legs, getting a pillow and placing it on my lap to get more comfortable.

I continued to play with Manchester City and Luca picked Liverpool. "Prepare to get a beating princess," he smiled darkly.

"A little less talking Hendricks. Bring it."

He laughed and we started the game. Luca screamed at the tv and we threw back smack talk as we played. "You play like a girl."

"I am a girl what's your excuse," I said, going for the goal and he saved it.

As promised he beat me for three games straight. Every time he beat me he would ruffle my hair and laugh. I was tired of losing to him and I couldn't let him beat me four times in a row.

Just as he was about to go for the goal I covered his eyes. "No, No!" He shouted and I laughed. "Princess!" Since I temporarily distracted him I stole the ball from his player and went for the goal.

Luca left his controller down on the bed and fought me for the one in my hands. "Noooooo!" I tried to smack his hands away from me but he was too fast.

He took the controller out of my hands and tossed it aside and caught both my wrists in his hands. "You cheater," he gasped in horror and I chuckled.

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A/N

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. My next chapter might be a little late but please bear with me I'm writing exams. ;)

Have a great weekend. In my country, Friday is known as Phuza Friday!

💜P. A