Broken Lines || sequel • discontinued •

Chapter 13 ( Fluorescent Lights )

• Luke's POV •

"Thank you so much. We're really sorry. We promise to be good to them starting now on."

"You're welcome," Ashton said. "Nicole and Stiles are really good-hearted people. They deserve all the good things."

"Thanks guys," Nicole said.

"Are you going to let her go to school now?" I asked aunt Emma.

"We'll be checking for online schools or other schools that will help her situation," Aunt Emma said. "Thank you guys."

"Oh and I'm a guy," Ash said. "Please refer to me as 'guy' not 'girl'."

We all laughed.

"Okay, sorry Ashton," Uncle Mitchell laughed.

"Can I excuse Luke for a second please?" Nicole said.

Everyone nodded and Nicole grabbed my hand, pulling me somewhere at the side of the house.

She looked at me then at her feet, then back at me. "I..." She covered her face. "I can't thank you guys so much. I know I've said this so many times before but yeah... Thanks."

"You're welcome," I said, stroking her black hair. "Look for a guy or some friends that'll treat you right. I'm sure everyone in your new school would love you."

She uncovered her face and smiled at me. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "Boston for two days then we're off to Europe."

"I'll miss you guys," she said.

"We'll miss you too," I said.

We both walked back to our group and Ashton started a group hug. Then, it was time to go.

"Lukey," Stiles said, tugging my shirt. "Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving now, little bud," I said, crouching down. "We all are. Focus on your studies alright? And kick butts of people who are mean."

Stiles laughed, nodding. "Yeah!" He said.

"I'll miss you little Stiles!" Ashton said, picking him up.

Calum, Michael and Kristen patted Stiles' head and back. Then, it was time to go.

"Bye, guys!" Ashton called from the driver's seat to Nicole and her family.

"Bye! Thank you!" Nicole waved and Stiles jumped around.

Ashton closed his window. Michael was on the passenger's seat while Kristen, Calum and I were on the backseat. As we slowly drove by, I saw Nicole hugging her aunt and uncle. Their uncle then picked Stiles up and disappeared inside their house. That's the last time we're ever going to see them.

"Not really," Calum whispered. "They can buy tickets to our shows."

"Their aunt and uncle don't even know we're a band," I said, giving Calum an annoyed look for hearing me thinking out loud.

"We're all around the media," Calum said. "They'll find out soon whether you like it or not."

I rolled my eyes. "Hey K," I said. "When's your next touring ground?"

She laughed at my term. "San Antonio then Michigan."

"Righto," I said. "We'll see your soon baby doll."

Calum nudged me.

"I was kidding," I laughed. "See you soon, K."

"Yeah," she said. "I have to bring Paisley to my mom first."