A Touch of Luke

4

"Where is Luke?" We were half-way through lunch, sitting in the cafeteria at our usual table but Luke wasn't here. He walked away after class and didn't say much to me.

"Shouldn't you know?" Maggie asked, biting into her apple. "Didn't you have class with him?"

I nodded. "I did but he just left. Said he would see me later."

"I saw him walking into the library," Mario spoke up. "But didn't get a chance to talk to him because I was on the other side of the hall with other people."

My face scrunched up in confusion, "He's usually with us. Why would he be in the library?"

"Maybe he had work to do?" Remy offered, shrugging.

I know I hadn't been the nicest person to Luke lately but over the past few days I was starting to grow used to his annoying banter and constant teasing. After he had just helped me out in class though I didn't deserve it, I was starting to see that maybe he really wasn't that bad.

I bit down on my lip.

"Have you considered that maybe he just doesn't want to be here?" Todd spoke up, causing me to narrow my eyes down on him.

"What?" I mused.

Todd shrugged nonchalantly, "He's the new guy every girl wants to get with and every guy hates because of it. You guys might've just been his temporary company until he found better people to be part of."

"Todd!" Jamie exclaimed, smacking his arm. "What the hell does that mean? Are me and my friends not good enough?"

Todd exhaled, a hint of annoyance shown on his face. "That's not what I said, babe. You know I love you but that doesn't mean he does."

Jamie narrowed her eyes into slits as she looked at her boyfriend. She was not merely impressed by his choice of words and I don't blame her. "Seriously? Better people to be part of?"

"Not what I meant to say," Todd grumbled, staring at the table now.

Jamie shook her head as she let out a scoff and turned away from him.

"I kind of liked having him around," Mario frowned a little. "He was funny."

"Okay," Remy drawled out awkwardly. "It's nothing. He probably had work to finish or something."

I nodded but it didn't rest comfortably with me.

-

I was at my locker pulling out books for my next class when I heard distant chatter down the hall. It was the end of lunch so the hallways were still empty right now as most people were still in the cafeteria or elsewhere.

"Surprised seeing you sulking alone in the hall."

The annoyingly familiar voice belonged to Arlo, another boy on the football team. He was talking to someone around the corner.

"What does that mean?" The responding voice belonged to Luke.

I quietly closed my locker and listened in though it wasn't my spot to start eavesdropping.

"I don't know," Arlo spoke in a casual manner. "Just seemed like you became part of the Celestino's group."

Luke paused for a moment. "We... kind of became friends, I guess. Maybe. Not like I've known any of them for long."

Arlo scoffed. "Yeah, good luck with that. They hardly tolerate having Todd around so not surprised they kicked you to the curb already. No offence, they're just... a tight group. I'd blame Marie."

"Marie?" Luke sounded confused.

Hell.

I had known Arlo since middle school and he was a bit of a prick so I would not be surprised if he just went off and spilled my life story to Luke right now.

If I went up and cut in right now, they would know I was standing by listening which would only make Arlo pester me more than usual.

"Yeah," Arlo responded. "She's not good with letting people get close to her. She cut off a lot of people the older we got."

Luke didn't say anything.

Now I was just filled with guilt.

I knew it was shitty to feel like someone doesn't want you around because the more busy I got with my siblings getting older, the less I was available to hang out with people so I did lose a lot of friends because it's hard to stay connected with people when you have so many other priorities and responsibilities.

Not to mention, my evil cousin decided to make it seem like I was broken glass when we started high school so everyone started to tip-toe around me.

I knew what it was like to have people push you away so it only made me feel guilty for how hostile I had been acting towards Luke when he was only trying to be kind and goofy.

"Luke!"

It was the end of the day now and I had spotted Luke walking to his car in the parking lot.

He stopped and turned to face me, confused.

"Marie."

"I uh..." I came to a halt, shifting on my feet. "You didn't come by at lunch."

Luke nodded slowly. He seemed off which was clear because he held a straight face and wasn't loud and smirking like usual. "I figured I would only intrude if I came by."

My eyebrows pulled together in confusion. What is he talking about? "What? Everyone was asking where you were."

Luke's eyebrows shot up for a moment before he went back to putting on a straight face. "Oh."

"Look, I'm sorry for the way I've been acting lately, I know I've been a b***h to you since you've gotten here but hey, I thought that was just our thing, you know. The bickering and pissing each other off?" I offered him a cheeky smile.

Luke let out a small laugh. It sounded somewhat forced, but somehow also with relief. "It's okay, Marie."

He isn't calling me love anymore.

"I know I'm just the new guy and the rest of you have been friends forever so I'm not trying to force myself into your tight-knit group or anything."

I frowned. Hell, I felt bad. "No," I shook my head. "It's not that. You're not doing that, Luke."

Luke shrugged nonchalantly in response. He was much more than he led on.

"Look," I exhaled deeply. "Join us at lunch tomorrow, okay? We... miss having you around."

Luke broke a small grin, "You're saying you miss me, love?"

I rolled my eyes but smiled, "I'm not saying anything, pretty boy but I will see you tomorrow." I laughed as I started to head to my car.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, love," he called behind me. And, he was back.