Connected [Luke Hemmings]

• Chapter 21 •

• Chapter 21 • [guys it's edited now lol]

Renn

I hit send on my phone and wait for Luke to reply. In two days it's his birthday, and the funeral for Dakota was two days ago. We haven't been speaking much, since Luke is very mellow, and different. When we are together, the hours spent are usually us being wrapped in each other's arms, not saying anything.

Luke: thanks babe x

That's all? I guess I shouldn't have my hopes up. I mean, it's better than the one word answers he gave me yesterday, and the day before, and so on.

I found out Dakota gave Luke a bucket list, and they couldn't finish it. Because of this, Dakota's new dog Rosie is now in Luke's care. He walks Rosie and Molly sometimes, and tells me he walks past my parents' house, then says he misses me.

"Knock knock," says Jana, walking into my room. She sits on my newly made bed with a bowl of cereal.

"What's up?" I ask.
"Oh just looking at this bucket list."

I try to snatch the paper away from Jana but she starts to read it out. But she stops when she reaches the bottom of the page. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"'Fall in love' is crossed out," she says, holding the paper for me to see. And there it is, right there. The pink ink is crossed out in a blotchy blue pen. That means Dakota or Luke fell in love.

"Who would Dakota fall in love with?" I ask.
"Not sure. Didn't they date?" asks Jana.
"I don't think so. At least not seriously."
"It'd be wrong to ask right?"

I nod my head. Luke shouldn't be hearing Dakota's name, or even thinking about her. He cries all the time.

Today I've decided to go see him. He always comes over, so I went out of my way to see him, in Western Sydney, not Southern like where I am.

"I'm going to see him," I say, going into the kitchen and taking out the cookies I made yesterday.

"Let me guess, you made those for him?" asks Jana. I nod my head again.

"Duh," I say.
"Well aren't you a sweet girlfriend?"

I wink and leave Jana alone. Sometimes I wish I could bring her along, she seems so lonely. But she doesn't mind, and she says it all the time.

When I get to my car, I put the cookies away and I get in myself.

*****

Luke's lips touch my neck, rather than my lips. I don't mind, they're sweet and so is he. I bite my lip as he continues to move down, lifting my shirt to kiss my stomach. Oh Sweet Jesus.

"Sshh," Luke says, before undoing my dark jeans. That's where I stop him.

"Stop," I demand, pulling Luke back to my level and doing my pants.

"Why? We were having fun," he says.
"No, you were. Luke, of course one day I'd love to, but not now. Okay?"

Luke sighs, obviously defeated. "Okay," he says, kissing my forehead. "I'm sorry."

We've only been dating for a couple weeks, and that's not the only reason. Luke has been depressed for awhile after losing his best friend, and I'm sure he's using me as a distraction.

"It's okay, I understand. Why don't we do something? Let's go to the mall," I say.
"I'm not feeling the mall Renn," says Luke.

"You never seem to feel like anything," I say.
"I feel numb. That's why."