••Fate••Luke Hemmings

••one••

That is who Leah looks like above ^
___\\
4 years later- Leah's POV
This dress was the tightest thing I had ever worn. I couldn't wait to reach my apartment and flop on my bed, spending the rest of the night watching re-runs of Friends. My heels loudly clicked as I walked up the staircase to my room. It was 3 in the morning and I had just left work. I had to walk 5 blocks just to reach the restaurant I worked at, because I couldn't afford a car. My apartment was a run down complex located in Sydney, Australia. It wasn't spacious and it wasn't the best environment for my 4 year old daughter, but it's what I could afford. After taking snobby customers orders all day in these killer heels, my feet were dead. I practically wanted to scream with each step I took.
I finally made it up to my floor and reached into my bag for my keys. The hallways of this apartment complex were brightly lit, but mostly empty. Usually, there would be attendants walking around but tonight it was, quiet here. I usually hated walking this hallway because this isn't a very nice neighborhood and I never know what to expect when I get home most of the time. Mia insisted I stay in Sydney after the baby was born, and we got a small apartment together. We split the rent but I always end up paying part of her portion since her job doesn't pay well.
I opened the door to my tiny apartment and set my stuff on the counter.
"Mia?" I asked walking into the apartment.
The decor of our apartment was punk I guess, atleast that's what Mia calls it. Every piece of furniture was black and all the walls were white. Mia hung up band posters everywhere, which I didn't mind since it was also her apartment as well. I stared at a Panic! At The Disco poster while I just stood there thinking. I usually found myself lost in my thoughts a lot. I suspected Mia was already asleep, so I walked around the apartment opening the curtains, allowing moonlight to flood through them. I always liked having the curtains open because the night sky was always mesmerizing to me. The only view that was good though, was the window in my room. From there you could openly see all the stars, which this window was one of the reasons I begged Mia to get this apartment. Sydney had a beautiful night sky; well, most nights when it wasn't cloudy. The sky was speckled with little bright lights tonight and I smiled. The only thing I loved about this place was the view. I remember the night that me and Jade sat here just staring at the stars. She would make comments about how many stars their were, and how pretty they are, and she even tried to count them, but being 4 she only made it to 10. The view was relaxing since the street below was usually not busy at night so it was just a clear view of the stars.
I set my phone on my nightstand walking over to the tiny bathroom me, Mia, and Jade shared. My room was the biggest in the house. I shared my room with Jade who as I walked by, was sound asleep. The air conditioning in my room was broken so it was always boiling in Sydney heat. We had a decent size closet, but I didn't have many clothes. I didn't like shopping for myself and usually only shopped for Jade because, she was my first priority. I walked into the bathroom looking in the mirror above the sink. My eyeliner had been smudged everywhere and I looked like a disaster. I sighed as I ripped my hair out of the very tight ponytail it was in. I shook it out and mentally applauded myself on how long it was getting. I peeled off the short, skin tight dress and replaced it with my favorite pair of sweatpants and a baggy shirt. I didn't like the outfits I had to wear to work.....I didn't really like my job either. I had to talk to people all day; and not to mention sometimes flirt with customers. Honestly, talking to customers was worse than cleaning counters in my opinion.
Now I needed to wash off all this cheap makeup, which probably wasn't doing anything good for my skin. I used a cotton pad and some makeup remover and tried to scrape the 5 layers of foundation off my face. Since I was 17 I had oily skin. I guess it was because I used to sleep in my makeup a lot and genuinely not care about my face that much. It bothered me because I used to have dry skin, which in my opinion is way better than oily skin.
As I removed my eyeliner and fake lashes my heart sunk to the sound of my phone ringing. I knew who it was before I read the caller ID. I rolled my eyes, not wanting to talk to him. But I hurried out of the bathroom to pick it up before it could wake up Jade. My phone was still on my nightstand with Jack's contact name on it. I walked out into the living room and sat on my couch. I sighed as I pressed answer.
"Hello?" I spoke.
"Hey Leah, how are you?" He greeted happily. It was weird, ever since Jade was born he's been calling me every once in awhile, checking up on me I guess.
"Uh, fine." I said awkwardly.
"How's Jade?" He asked.
"She's alright." I said, letting my eyes gaze out of the living room window, at the night sky.
"I had Mia look after her while I was at work, like usual."
"Find a boyfriend yet?"
"You ask me that every time!"
"Hey I was just wondering!" He laughed. "I've sent another check by the way."
"Jack," I groaned, standing up from the couch. "I've told you this so many times, we don't need your money ok? We're doing just fine on our own."
"Well, what if something bad happens? You should be prepared." Jack retorted. I don't know why he always brings up bad things that could happen. He was the reason we had to move, I didn't like him knowing where I lived, because him always bringing up accidents happening scared me.
"Why do you always bring this up?" I asked, getting more irritated by the minute.
"Because I don't want you to run out of money, I'm sending more." Jack concluded.
I opened my mouth to talk back, but just sighed and shook my head. Jack was a stubborn asshole, and I didn't want him pissed at me. I made the mistake of pissing him off once, and I will never do that again. We were doing just fine without his money. I don't know why he thinks Jade is part of his life, because she never will be. But, like I said, he's terrifying when he's mad so I just agreed.
"Ok Jack," I sighed. "Thanks."
"Your welcome," he chuckled into the phone "I'll call you soon."
"Can't wait." I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes.
"What?" He spoke into the phone, harshly.
"Nothing," I said. "I'll talk to you soon."
We said our goodbyes, and I angrily tossed my phone onto the couch. I sat back down on the couch, and crossed my legs, just staring at the stars. I honestly don't understand why Jack still sends me money when we really don't need it. I don't even want to use what he sends! I usually leave it in my bank account, and you would think by now, he would be sick of sending me money I never used. But, he's obviously not, as he still sends me some every month.
It just reminds me of how his all happened. It reminds me of why Jade is even in this world. To this day, I still can't forget what happened that night, and I can recall everything clearly. After I got pregnant nobody in my school liked me, and I became an outcast. They all thought I was a stuck up little slut because I was pregnant and I guess I was. Guys would whisper asking who knocked me up, and girls would literally ask how many guys I slept with.
At that point in my life all I wanted was a friend. Growing up I had none, except Luke. Me and Luke did everything together. And I guess as long as I had atleast one friend I should be grateful.
I always wondered about what it was like to have multiple friends. My father was arrested when I was 10 for domestic abuse, and possession of illegal drugs. I remember calling Luke and crying because my mothers screams would wake me up. All my mother ever did was let it happen. She told me she kept quiet because she was scared. I had no siblings, just myself. Growing up it was always just my quiet mom and abusive dad. My mom bought me a kitten for christmas one year but, let's just say it didn't survive long.
I just want to feel freedom, you know? What even is freedom? I can't tell you but, I hope one day I will be able to figure it out. I want to find someone who I can just let go with, and be free. I want to feel true happiness and joy but, all I feel right now is tired and done with everyone.
"Don't act like a victim." I muttered to myself.
People had it worse than me and I should be grateful Jack even called me after I told him I was pregnant. With that, I brewed a huge cup of coffee and cuddled onto the couch with a blanket, watching re-runs of Friends.

And in that moment I was comfortable. Alone, but comfortable I guess.