Without A Trace(Luke Hemmings FF)

Twenty-Four

Zoey's POV:
I take a minute to unveil Ashton's words. I can't seem to make any words myself.

"Take your time. You don't have to say anything." He tells me. I take a deep breath and exhale sharply, still maintaining my silence.

"Okay, you gotta say something." He exhales and I gulp, taking a deep breath and thinking about the words that I'm about to say.

"Okay, uh..." I run my fingers through my hair.

"Do you-Do you want to come in for something to drink? Maybe something to eat?" I ask him. He sighs.

"That's not a good sign." He says as I unlock the door with my house key.

"No. No, don't think about it like that. Come in. I'll make us some food." I tell him and he nods. We walk inside and I lead him to the kitchen.

"When did you, uh, realize that you were.. you know." I wonder.

"That I was in love with you?" He asks.

"Yeah." I reply, grabbing two glasses out of the cabinet.

"When we rescued you, Alice, and those guys from the house the second time you were kidnapped." He tells me.

"Oh. Uh.." I grab the lemonade out of the fridge.

"I know. You're Luke's girlfriend and Luke is one of my best friends, but I can't help these feelings. I don't like that I feel this way, but I do. Every time I see you with him, it kills me a little more inside. Every time I see you in general, it makes me want to grab you and kiss you, but I can't. And Luke, who gets to grab you and kiss you, doesn't appreciate what he has. He slept with Maya. I'd never do that to you. I want to be with you so damn bad, but I can't and that kills me inside because I-I love you." He says in the most passionate voice. I exhale sharply.

"Wow, uh..." I begin.

"You don't feel the same way. I know." He says and I frown.

"I love Luke. I plan on calling him later and working through our issues." I tell him.

"Are you sure that he's not going to hurt you again?" He asks. I sigh, handing him his glass.

"I'm not sure. He might, but like Liz said, he's never been in a relationship with a girl who has morals, so he doesn't know the rules." I tell him.

"That's no excuse." He frowns.

"I know, but we love each other. A lot." I tell him.

"Are we okay?" He asks me.

"Yeah. Yeah, of course." I tell him.

"Come here." I say, wrapping him in a hug. We separate, our faces only inches apart. He leans in and kisses me without warning. I gently push him off and he looks embarrassed.

"I-I'm sorry." He stammers.

"Don't be. It's okay. I'm the one who should be sorry." I assure him.

"I-I've got to go. I-I'm sorry." He says and takes off. I sigh to myself. I call Mali.

"Hey, girl! How'd it go last night?" She asks.

"We didn't do anything. Listen, can you do me a favor?" I ask her.

"Sure! What's up?"

"I need a ride. I want to go get my license." I tell her.

"Okay! I'll be there in an hour and a half." She says.

"Okay. Thank you." I tell her.

"Of course! See you in a bit." She says and I hang up. I walk upstairs and I walk to the bathroom. I turn the water on and let it heat up while I go pick up a simple pair of blue jeans and a jumper. I walk back to the bathroom and lock the door. I strip down and get in the shower.