Connected [Luke Hemmings]

• Chapter 15 •

taking a break after this chapter just to continue writing :) so beware of life... in the dungeon...?

• Chapter 15 •

Luke

I should really stop being an idiot in front of girls. Well we know that's never going to happen. I'm the worst with girls, well at least I think I am.

"Can you stop overthinking it?" pleads Dakota. We're hanging out. It's been two days since I've almost told Renn that I'm attracted to her. Dakota decided to get my head out of things so she took me to the mall, the public mall...

"Sorry," I say, sarcastically.
"Look Luke, you can always try again."
"I know. But I shouldn't need to."
"You didn't apologise... right?"

I sigh and shake my head, taking another bite from my ice cream cone. "The only I did was make a fool of myself."

Dakota taps my shoulder and gestures to look into the distance. There she is, Florence with her best friend Jana. Usually they'd be laughing and talking. But Florence's head is down as they walk in our direction, and Jana looks disappointed.

"Why isn't she smiling Lucas?" asks Dakota.

Because of me.

I watch as Jana spots us, and maybe tells Renn to look up. When she does, I have an urge to make her jealous. I mean, she kissed Michael in front of me. I take hold of Dakota's hand and we walk.

"Luke stop," says Dakota, "you're not going to make her jealous."
"Yes I am. She kissed another guy in front of me," I say, pulling Dakota closer to me.

We walk toward the two girls and I 'accidentally' shoulder Renn and she looks up. When I mean to smirk, I can't help but stay shocked. Renn's makeup has smeared, and her eyes and nose are red and puffy.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there," she says softly. God. Why. Does. This. Hurt.

"No, no it was my fault." Damn it, what am I saying.

"I'm sorry," she whispers before Jana softly tugs her away. I let go of Dakota's hand and take Renn's. There's a rush. The same rush I got when I held her hand when she was sick in bed.

"Luke just stop," Renn whines.
"Why are you crying?" I ask.
"None of your business."
"Why are you crying, and ruining your beautiful face? Why do you wear so much makeup, further ruining it?"

Renn doesn't say anything and looks down. There is a crowd of girls that have found me, and they're watching me trying to tell Renn that I'm attracted to her. Two of them are Jana and Dakota.

"Florence, you are one beautiful girl," I say.
"Why don't you tell Dakota that? She obviously is," says Renn.

No Renn, don't do this.

"Dakota is, beautiful. But that's not the point. You're a different kind of beautiful," I say.
"Everyone's different," says Renn.
"God Flora can't you see that I'm so attracted to you? I'm a dick because I'm a scared little boy, I didn't want to ask you out. And I'm truly sorry, but God you are so beautiful, I catch myself thinking about you-"
"Stop! Please."
"Renn I-"
"Is this some type of scam? Joke? Prank? God Luke, I get it. You hate me, you don't need to say it in front of all of Sydney."

Renn grabs Jana, who mouthes a 'I'm sorry, try again.' And the two weave through the big crowd of girls.

What went wrong? Oh yeah me.

The girls leave me and Dakota to go home.

*****

It's been a week since my little confession at the mall.