Paper Hearts

06

The next morning, I woke to find sunlight streaming in through my bedroom window, illuminating everything in sight. I blinked a few times, clearing my vision, and once I did, I realized that I was still wearing the clothes I had on the night before.

I stumbled out of bed, practically flinging myself into the bathroom and staring into the mirror. My mascara was smudged and my hair messy, but other than that, I was fine, which was good―considering the fact that I had fallen asleep on the back step of Tanner Hutchinson's house.

Luke had insisted on taking me home, and I let him. By the time I got there, it was 2 A.M. We said our goodbyes, exchanged numbers, and I collapsed into bed. I doubted Dad knew a thing.

Now, in the quiet of the morning, I was able to shower, change, and get downstairs for breakfast. There was no sign of Dad anywhere―he was either still sleeping or at work. I sat at the counter with a bowl of cereal, turning on the television and absentmindedly chewing while a news reporter gave the Grayson weather forecast.

I was torn from my habitual morning routine when my phone buzzed, announcing that I had four unheard voicemails. Releasing a sigh, I opened up my inbox and listened to the messages play, putting the phone on speaker and muting the news.

The first two were from Rachael. One was about the fact that she was out of eggs, and could I please pick some up for her? The other was about the fact that her childhood crush, Quentin Flounders, had made eye contact with her in second period, and would that lead to something more, or were they still "just friends"?

Shaking my head, I deleted both. I would talk to her later.

The next message surprised me. It was Tanner's voice, slurred and angry, with the music from last night's party blaring in the background.

"Hey, Vicki," he said, sounding drunker than I'd ever heard him, "I'm just calling to say that...uh..."

There was a voice behind him, begging him to go dance, but he kept talking.

"That―that Luke guy is playing you." He said, and I felt my brows furrow. "He...he isn't good enough for you..."

I could hardly believe it. Did Tanner Hutchinson actually drunk dial me?

Apparently so, because his message was still going.

"Anyways, I made―made a mistake." He said. "You and me belong together; we always have. Just―don't let Luke get in the way. Okay. Uh, bye."

And then, it ended.

I sat there, completely dumbstruck, my brain still trying to process everything he'd said.

We belong together? Luke was trying to play me? What kind of crap was this?

I was about to power off my phone, anger rising in my chest like bile, when the final message came through.

"Hey, Victoria," Said Luke, his voice slow and gravelly, as if he just woke up―and my heart leapt in my throat. "I just wanted to let you know that you left your purse in the truck―I'll try to get it back to you as soon as possible, but I'll be working at The Grey today, so if you want to swing by, I'll have it with me. Talk to you later."

My purse. I thought. Of course. Why else would he call?

Releasing a short breath, I decided that I would go down to The Grey Café to gather my belongings from him. Only because I needed my credit card and wallet. No other reasons. No subtext. Just a girl picking up a purse from a boy who comforted her in the middle of the night and drove her home.

No big deal.

No big deal at all.

________

The Grey Café was, arguably, the most popular spot in all of Grayson. It was a typical Kentucky diner―weathered floorboards, old music, strong coffee. It was at its busiest in the morning, normally calming down to a lunchtime lull, and then spiked back up around dinnertime.

I was truly shocked that someone like Luke―who had plenty of better things to be doing than working―spent his weekends here.

The second I entered, I heard my name.

"Victoria!"

My eyes flew to the counter and, sure enough, he was there―donned in an apron and a white T-shirt underneath. I did my best to smile, but it was hard, considering that I was in a crowded café and I was now being approached by Luke, who caught eyes wherever he went.

He came out from behind the counter, purse in hand, and gave it to me.

"Thanks," I muttered. "I didn't even notice I left it behind."

"Neither did I," he agreed. "Until this morning, that is."

I gave a small laugh, suddenly aware of all of the eyes that were now on me, now that I was accompanied by one of Grayson High's most infamous students.

"Okay," I said then, my voice coming out squeaky and ridiculous as I turned towards the door. "I'm going to head home now."

"Victoria, wait," he said, and at the sound of my actual name, I felt my heart jump. He put his hands on my shoulders, spinning me around to face him. His kind, steel-colored eyes searched mine, and he whispered,

"Are you okay? I know last night―well, it wasn't―"

"Wasn't what I expected." I finished, and he nodded.

"I mean, I totally get it if you still don't want to talk about it. But, really, I hope everything's alright. I've known Tanner for a long time; you were probably better off―"

"Luke," I said, cutting him off effectively, "I'm...I'm fine. Really."

"If you're sure, then," he said, releasing me with a smile. "At least have a coffee. On the house."

"No, thanks," I said, shaking my head. "I don't really like coffee."

"A hot chocolate, then," Luke said, and it took everything I had not to roll my eyes.

But a hot chocolate did sound good, especially at the moment.

"Fine," I said finally, walking up to the bar and taking the nearest empty seat. I saw the half-smile take over his face as he returned to his place behind the counter, reaching over and wiping down the space before me. When he finished, his eyes snapped upwards, colliding with mine, and I knew I'd been caught staring. Again.

Unfortunately, around Luke, I was always caught staring.