Placid (Luke Hemmings)

Chapter Sixteen

| luke’s pov |

I kissed her. I kissed Emma. I can’t believe myself. Why did I do that?

I could have just walked away and left her. Not kiss her and leave.

But her lips were soft and warm. She tasted like chocolate. I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I liked it. Loved it, even.

Though now, I don’t know what to do. I don't know what to say to her.

I shouldn’t have asked her that question, right from the start.

A paper flew on my bed, alarming me. No. It can’t be.

“I told you to get away from her.” The handwriting was enough to make me cringe. I didn’t want to do this anymore. I was tired. I just wanted to live my life, without fear and guilt. Without her.

Just then, I felt a sharp pain on the side of my lip. I put my hand there, and it hurt. It hurt even more than all the bruises I’ve ever had. It was, by far, the worst I’ve experienced.

Observing it using the mirror on my side, it looked like an ordinary bruise. But the pain was a hundred times worse than it seemed. It hurt to open my mouth, much more when I speak.

“Luke!” Repetitive knocks on my door followed. It was Emma.

Clearing my throat, I got out of my bed and proceeded to open the door. I only showed half of my face, careful not to let her see the new bruise I got.

She had a determined expression. I had a feeling it was going to be about what we quickly talked about in the bookstore.

I wasn’t sure if she’ll understand. But then, maybe she was the only one who would actually believe me.

I thought I stopped breathing when I let her in, revealing the bruise. I was about to reveal everything, what was the point of hiding that from her?

Emma squint her eyes at it, but she didn’t say anything.

I closed the door and locked it, not wanting my mum to barge in on such a private conversation. “Sit down, please,” I motioned her to sit on my bed as my hand flew on my nape from nervousness.

“Thank you,” she replied, sitting. She folded her hands on her lap and waited for me to continue.

"I have a friend," I confessed, my eyes wandering all over the place. I was looking for something. Or rather, someone. But I also wanted to show her proof. Proof that I wasn’t lying. Proof that I wasn’t crazy.

She raised her eyebrow, giving me a look of confusion. "Of course you do, Luke. I mean, al-"

I cut her off. "No, it's not that simple, Emma. She’s… she’s not like us.” Dread got the best of me. My hands were trembling as I tried to drink the glass of water that was originally placed on my desk.

The glass suddenly slipped from my hold and landed on the floor, with no sound and no cracks.

The feeling of fear took over. "She’s here," I whispered, panicking.

"L-Luke, this isn't funny. S-stop," Emma stuttered out, fear in her was building up. She left her position on the bed, and she was currently backing away from me.

"Run," I instructed, trying to be as calm as possible, though my heart was literally beating out of my chest. My voice came out small but still loud enough for her to hear me.

"But Luke,” she attempted to reason with me, but I shook my head.

"I said run." The door slammed open, just as I finished.

Out of fright, she took off, rushing out of the room. I didn't know where she was going, but anywhere, but here, would be good enough.

I just needed her to be safe.