l u k e

Today was a new day and I decided that I was gonna loosen up to Gayle, after all, it's all about the friendship, right?

I got into the study hall a tad bit earlier than usual, a bit too nervous I guess. I sat at the seat I always took as I folded my hands together and placed them on top of the desk as my leg involuntarily started bouncing up and down.

Ten minutes in and I'm still in the exact same position as students started to pile in. My heart pounded against my chest and I felt horrible, was I gonna be sick?

Just then, Gayle took her seat next to me, very kept to self. I took note of how hot she looked today, checking her out a bit, but just then, my eye caught on something...was that what I think it was?

"Hey!" I greeted a little bit too chirpy.

"Look, Luke," she started. "I just wanted you to know that I'm really sorry...a-and we could do the cafe thing later if you wanted to...I mean, if you have no plans or...no, maybe, I don't-" She stopped mumbling all together when she noticed I was staring too far off at her, and she shyly looked away.

"What happened Gayle?" I asked as I touched her cheek, only for her to flinch back a bit at the sudden contact.

"Gayle! Oh no, what happened? Did you hit yourself on a pole or something?" I asked to get back her attention from her blank stare, but then tears started rolling down her cheek, making her rush out of the study hall. What just happened?

"Gayle!" I called running after her, only catching up in less than a few strides.

I caught her shoulder only to see her make up smudged off to reveal even more cuts and bruises.

"Who hurt you?" I asked a little bit too much protective.

"Nobody, I-I hit a pole, you were right, haha..." She stammered as she wiped away the remaining tears threatening to fall.

"Then how could you possibly have hurt yourself that badly?" I asked knowing she'd have no way around my question. Who could cut them self and have multiple swelling bruises with just a pole?

"I-I um...I..." She searched for an excuse but helplessly failed.

"Who hurt you?" I asked again, only softer this time as I held her arms...trying not to get too distracted.

"Ashton...my...my boyfriend." She said in a hushed tone I almost didn't catch it.

"Why? Wait no, you probably wouldn't wanna talk about it...right?" I asked as I lifted her chin up to look at me.

"Yeah..." She sighed a breath of relief.

"Um...do...I mean, you don't have to say yes but, do you want to, like, stay at my place for a while, you know, until your bruises heal, it's completely okay if you don't want to." I buzz as I slide my hands from her shoulders down to her hands and held them.

"I'd like that..." She agreed, smiling a tad bit.

My face lit up immediately as I let go of her hands before she could say anything about it. Remember, friendship.

"Then maybe we could go apartment shopping? I am in desperate need of a house." I laughed a bit to ease the tension as we walked back into class.

"Yeah, that sound great." She smiled now, looking up at me.

"Let's get back to class." I smiled back as I gave her a quick side hug. Woah there Luke, getting all brave and stuff. I like that.

"I'll just retouch my make up, I'll be with you in a minute. You go ahead." She said as she headed for the restroom.

And as I did my little victory dance, I entered the study hall, happier than I've ever been since a very long time.

Yay Luke! He's doing great isn't he? I'm proud of that little noodle.

Anyways, I'll *try* to finish this book by this week, since I already have most of the parts typed out already. Hope I can do this!

Anyways, vote, comment, and follow me...if you want to :) xx