Chapter 12: Cold Shoulder

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I'm not exactly sure how being "just friends" with Luke is gonna work out. I mean, he likes me, and I like him, and all I ever wanna do now is tell Luke, "hey, I've changed my mind, you free on Saturday night?" But that's kind of crazy.

Because if Luke and I became a thing, so many problems would come out of it. First off, I would completely lose Harry's trust. My one rule here is not to fall in love with any of the boys, and that's exactly what I did. I fell for Luke. Hard.

Like I jumped out of a plane without a parachute. The only thing that would make it worse is if I acted on those feelings and just completely threw all of Harry's rules out the window. I mean, I'm already sure I'm the worst sister in the world for what I've done already, and that Harry wishes he would've invited Gemma along instead, regardless of her being in college, and me only tagging along so I'd have a summer job.

I mean, yeah, that is one huge reason why I tagged along for the summer, but also, this is my last chance to see Harry before I head off to college in the fall, except for the occasional show the boys might have, and traveling back home for holidays.

I mean, I never told the boys this, but I applied to attend UCLA in the fall, all the way over in California. A world away from my family, a world away from all I've ever known.

It wasn't exactly an easy decision, leaving home, but a fresh start in a new place, and a new school might be just the thing I need. But another reason Luke and I can't be a thing is because of their friendship. Luke and Harry are really good friends.

Well, at least I know they were before I came along. To be honest, I don't even think they talk much anymore. Harry's too protective over me, and he thinks that Luke's just going to hurt me in the long run.

But the good thing about decided to be friends with Luke is that I don't have to try to avoid him anymore. Because we're friends. And friends don't avoid other friends.

So now, here Luke and I sat, sharing a bag of gummy bears on the floor outside their dressing room, Luke sitting and strumming away at his guitar, while I was absorbed in my thoughts.

He was practicing for their show tonight, which was in... To be honest, I'm not really sure. After awhile, all these places started to blend together with a show every night, and after awhile, it's just begun to all look the same.

A lot of dressing rooms. A lot of stages. One tour bus with a lot of hours on the road.

"So how did that one sound?" Luke asked, snapping me out of all my thoughts.

"I'm sorry, what'd you say?" I asked, grabbing a green gummy bear and popping it in my mouth.

"You weren't listening, were you?" He asked, smiling a bit.

"No," I admitted. "I wasn't, and I'm sorry. Just got a lot on my mind right now, and I was thinking."

"Hey Julie," Harry said as he passed by, not even glancing over at Luke.

So I was right. They hadn't talked in days. Harry won't even look at Luke anymore. Which honestly, came as a shock to me.

Did I really do that? Did I really take two friends, two friends who joked around constantly, and came to each other for advice, and were on a tour together, and completely tear them apart?

But more importantly, if Luke and I did get together, what would that mean for the rest of the guys? Luke and Harry really would never talk to each other again. And I wouldn't put it past the other guys to start taking sides.

Ashton would go to Luke's side. I know that. Because he's the one who's always pushed me to go after Luke. I think Calum would too. But Michael... Michael might go for Harry. Because he's a firm believer in bro code. But at the same time, he's the one who dared Luke to kiss me that night at the hotel.

Niall might take Luke's side. Not sure why, just seems like he would. Liam would take Harry's side. And I'm pretty sure Louis and Zayn would too.

"I'm sorry about... That," I told Luke sincerely as he sadly watched Harry walk down the hall.

"It's no problem," he told me. "I just wish he would see we're friends. Even though I've made it very clear to you that I like you."

"I know, and I like you too," I told him. "But-"

"We can't be in a relationship because we're best friends and Harry would kill us," he said. "I know. But as much as I'd want to be more than just friends, I'm happy to get what I can take.

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