A Touch of Luke

6

"Are you sure you want to go?" Remy looked at me, concern filled in her eyes.

I gave her a reassuring smile but had to clench my fists by my side to stop my hands from trembling with anxiety. "I'll be okay, Rem. Plus, the boys are playing so we have to show our support, right?"

"I think I'll be fine without my lucky charm for one game if you want to sit this one out, sis," Mario placed a hand on my arm in a comforting manner.

"Really, guys," I opened the back door of the car and helped Macy out. "I'm okay."

"Here," Mario pulled me to the side so Macy wouldn't see him hand me my medications. "Take these, please."

"I took some this morning," my eyebrows pulled together.

Mario shrugged, "Just for safe measures."

I inhaled deeply but gratefully took the pill anyways as we all headed towards the football field.

This is what I meant when I said Luke sees me as a normal person. He doesn't know about the family problems and medications and anxiety and how fragile I might really be. I don't want him to start tip-toeing around me like I'm broken glass because he makes me feel like every other normal person, he reminds me of who I am away from all the trauma and pain.

"Wait," I stopped walking. "I forgot Macy's hoodie in the car. I don't want her to get cold so I'll go grab it while you guys get seats."

"Come on, Mace," Remy smiled as she took Macy's hand from me and they all walked away.

I turned and headed back to my car. I opened the back door and grabbed her hoodie, closing the door when a voice spoke from behind me.

"Is that Re I see?"

My heart nearly dropped to the pit of my stomach from the old nickname I hadn't heard in a very long time.

I spun around to see the familiar taunting face of Oliver Wood.

"Oliver," I exhaled, trying to keep myself composed. Thank God Mario gave me an extra pill I had swallowed moments ago.

"Long time no see, old friend," he smirked, taking a step closer to me. "You look good, Re."

"Not sure I can say the same about you, Oliver," I tilted my head, putting on a strong front as he continued stepping closer and closer towards me.

I was frozen in spot with my fists clenching Macy's hoodie so tightly I don't think they were getting any blood circulation.

"I haven't heard you call me that in ages," he spoke so smoothly and confidently, it scared me. "I miss the way you called me Levi."

I clenched my jaw, feeling more uncomfortable the closer he got to me. If I wasn't clenching my fists so tightly, I knew I would start shaking uncontrollably but I didn't want Oliver to see me in that state.

"Seems like times have changed."

"Oh they sure have, sweetheart." The way he called me that pet name made me feel sick to my stomach as flashbacks flooded my mind.

I licked my lips, exhaling a shaky breath. "What do you want, Oliver?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, grinning. He was now standing right in front of me. "I just wanted to see you. Maybe relish in some of those old memories we shared together."

He raised a hand and slowly tucked some hair behind my ear.

I shook my head, taking a step away from him as my blood started to boil. I felt like I was about to choke on a sob.

"The only ones I remember are some of the worst moments in my life." I wanted to slap him or spit in his face or do anything to show him I wasn't scared of him but I didn't have the courage to do so because in fact, I was terrified of him.

"Oh come on, sweetheart," he let out a chuckle, moving forward to place a hand on the side of my face.

I quickly moved further away from him. "Do not touch me."

"You used to like it when I touched you." His voice was smooth and slick in a sickening way. He was amused.

My breathing started to grow more rapid which was not a good sign because very soon I was going to lose all control of myself and melt into a puddle which would only make Oliver gloat more. "You don't get to do that anymore, Oliver. You do not get to control me and slither your way into my head to manipulate me."

"But it nearly worked the first time," Oliver let out a taunting laugh, shaking his head slightly. "You were wrapped around my finger, sweetheart."

I took some small steps away from him, feeling like the world was swallowing me whole. Somehow, even after all this time he still knew how to make me feel small and vulnerable. I still didn't know how to stand up to him.

My chest was heaving up and down and my breathing grew more uneven.

With one swift movement, he stepped close enough to me to be able to grab my arm and pull me into his chest. I stumbled, Macy's hoodie falling to the ground, but he was holding onto me so I fell right into his chest as he held me close to him.

I tried to push myself away from him but his grip on my arm was so tight I knew it would leave a bruise.

He moved his face closer down to mine, now speaking in a whisper, "I don't believe you didn't miss me. After all, I was your first love."

"That was not love," I snapped. "That was manipulation." I tried to wriggle out of his grasp but I barley budged with how tightly he was holding me.

"Looks like we're all alone again, Re. This time Mario won't be able to do much to come to your rescue."

"Let go of me," I spat through clenched teeth.

He spun me around and harshly pushed me against the back of my car causing shooting pain to go through my spin.

"Oliver," I choked out, shutting my eyes tightly so he saw no tears spill out. "Why are you still doing this?"

He tilted his head as he looked down at me, "You still owe me something I waited a long time for, sweetheart. Got to collect at some point."

I blinked, my breath hitching in my throat.

This was not happening right now.

I felt dizzy and lost, not sure what to do. I hardly remember how to move a muscle right now.

If he wasn't holding and pinning me so tightly, my whole body would be trembling. Everything started to blur together as my breathing got out of control.

"Looks like those meds aren't helping you out this time, are they?"

"What the f*****g hell is going on?"

I couldn't clearly see what happened next as I my knees gave out and I shrunk to the ground but Oliver was pulled off of me and throw onto the pavement, the body standing over him throwing punch after punch.

"Luke! Stop!" I heard Remy's scream as Mario rushed over and pulled Luke off of Oliver who was lying on the ground with his face a bloody mess.

"Get the f**k out of here before I let him go and get back to pummelling your face inwards," Mario's voice was raging as he snapped at Oliver who spat blood on the ground before brushing us all off.

"This isn't over, sweetheart," he shot me a devilish look before sauntering off as if he wasn't the one who just got beat up.

"Are you okay?" Remy rushed over to my side, bending down to wrap her arms around me.

I shook my head, my whole body trembling. I couldn't form a single word because I could not catch my breath right now. I was heaving as if I just sprinted a whole marathon.

"Come on sis, just breath slowly," Mario bent down, trying to calm me down but nothing was working.

"Let me try," Luke's voice was soft as he came down to my level.

Remy moved away and was quickly replaced by Luke who wrapped his arms around me, my head resting in his chest as he started stroking my hair.

"Shh, you're okay now," he spoke quietly, his voice gentle. "I'm right here. Just focus on me, me holding you, my heart beating, pay attention to that."

I paid attention to his words, exhaling through my nose. I did as he said and felt the warmth radiating off of him, the sound of his heart beating against his chest and getting more steady over the seconds.

It took a minute but eventually I felt my body relax and my breathing go back to normal.

I lifted my head off his chest and pushed myself off the ground, "I'm oka-" I was cut short when my head suddenly got light and I felt like I was going to pass out.

I was about to fall when Luke quickly stood and wrapped an arm around me to steady me. "You're okay. Take it easy."

With my head still resting on his chest, I shut my eyes and regained my breath.

"Are you okay?" Remy spoke softly, grabbing Macy's hoodie from the ground.

"What are you guys doing out here?" I looked between Luke and Mario. "Shouldn't you be getting ready to get on the field?"

Mario let out a breathy chuckle, "And she's back to worrying about everyone else."

"You said you were getting her hoodie but hadn't come back in a while so we came to see where you had gone," Remy told me, looking a little frightened by everything that just happened.

"I just wanted to catch you before the game," Luke spoke softly, still standing with his arm wrapped around my waist. "I didn't think I would literally be catching you from falling over." He offered me a small grin.

Mario exhaled deeply, "I shouldn't have left you alone knowing everyone from Heith-Stone is here tonight."

I shook my head, "It's not your fault, Rio, don't do that."

"It is," He argued. "I should ha-"

"Mario," I cut him off sternly. "Look, I'm okay and we can't go back to do anything differently. Now, you guys got to get on the field and Macy is probably confused so let's go."

Remy sighed but nodded, "You're right, Macy is probably going to get worried. We can talk about this after because right now, we need to beat Heith-Stone's ass more than anything."

"I'm going to crush them all," Mario shook his head, turning to head away.

"We'll catch up in a second," Luke called out right before I had a chance to start following behind Remy and Mario who didn't say anything as they left us alone in the parking lot.

I turned to face Luke, shifting on my feet. "I..." I felt completely pathetic knowing he just saw me have a panic attack. So much for him not seeing I might really be broken glass. "I'm sorry you had to see that, but thank you for... helping, being there, everything."

Luke shook his head, his eyes soft as he looked at me. "Don't say sorry and don't thank me, Marie. You don't have to be ashamed."

I shrugged a little, avoiding his gaze. "You didn't have to beat him up like that but I appreciate it."

Luke shook his head again, "Stop."

I looked at him again, "Stop what?" My eyebrows pulled together.

"Stop acting like I don't have to worry or look out for you. We're friends now, right?"

I let out a small laugh, "I would think so."

He shrugged, "Well there we go. I will always look out for you, love."

I smiled softly. "Thank you, Luke," I exhaled.

He grinned a little, "What'd I say about thanking me?"

I laughed, punching him softly. "Fine but we really got to get you to the field now. The game is starting soon."

I turned to walk to the school but he grabbed my hand softly and pulled me to a stop. "Wait. Are you... okay?"

I gave him a reassuring smile though it was forced, "I'm good. Really."

He gave me an unsure look, not convinced. "Are you sure? What was all that about?"

I inhaled deeply, not ready to answer these questions. "Too long of a story that I wouldn't be able to tell you within the next five minutes before they need you on that field."

Luke frowned a little but nodding, not wanting to push any further. "Fine but only because I need to help Mario crush these jackasses."

I laughed, "Come on." I pulled his hand and led him to the field where I was sure he wasn't going to rest until we won the game.