Ghost of You

3

-Luke-

My mind was flooded with thoughts, as I stood in front of the stovetop flipping pancakes. Kennedy was usually awake at the crack of dawn. She hadn't come down for breakfast and I couldn't help but worry. Images of her bruised and bloodied skin, her ripped dress, and her teary eyes from the night before flashed in my head. I wanted to talk to her, to comfort her, but I didn't know what to say. How could a girl so kind hearted and beautiful let someone hurt her so badly? Shivers ran down my spine as I remembered her mentioning that this was far from the first time Will had hurt her.

I walked up the stairs carefully carrying a plate of golden brown pancakes topped with whipped cream and strawberries in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other. I stopped in front of Kennedy's door, knocking quietly. My heart started to race when no reply came from the inside. I gently pushed the door open, peeking inside. To my relief Kennedy was sitting on the window seat, peering out. She was an unkempt kind of beautiful. She wore an oversized T-shirt that went down to her thighs and her hair up in a messy bun.

"Kennedy?" I shyly called.

"Mhmm?" She murmured, still looking out.

"I made you breakfast." I coaxed, setting the plate and mug out in front of her.

"You didn't have to." She said softly, as if she didn't feel deserving of the gesture.

"But I did, and they're good I promise." I lightheartedly replied. She gave me a little smile but her sad eyes revealed her true feelings.

"Thank you." She responded. She picked up the plate and I sat down on the floor, leaning my elbow on the window seat and looking up at her. The golden rays of sunlight illuminated her freckles which would have made me smile had I not been so distracted by the dark blotches trailing down her neck. I felt a sudden rage that made me want to punch the asshole that did that to her.

My violent thoughts were interrupted by Kennedy's voice, "You weren't kidding, these are really good," She looked down at the floor like she had something to say, "I um... I'm sorry that you had to see me like that yesterday. You didn't need to help me but you did, and I-" Her voice broke, "I'm just not used to this, to being taken care of, and being worried about. And this breakfast is really good. And you're really sweet. And I'm just really sorry for making you waste your time on me." She was completely vulnerable as the words kept tumbling out.

"Hey, stop. You're not wasting my time at all. I would never leave you hurting on the floor like that. I care about you." As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt exposed too. But I was ok with it. She needed to know that she wasn't alone. I saw the hurt in her eyes as she processed my words. I silently moved over to comfort her. I wrapped my arms around her in a gentle embrace, her body fragile like a paper crane or a glass figure. She was warm and I could smell the sweet floral undertones on her skin.

She pressed me closer to her and whispered almost inaudibly, "I don't deserve you."

-Kennedy-

I lay in bed, sighing as I thought of the morning. Luke holding me against his body. His strong arms wrapped around me, his tall lean figure, I felt safe for the first time in a very long time. My thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of my phone. It had been blowing up for the past hour and I was scared to look.

Will: Are you mad or something?
Will: Ken I'm sorry babe
Will: Let me make it up to you
Will: Why don't you fucking answer
Will: I don't get why you're mad you were being a prude
Will: Why wouldn't you want me?
Will: Are you seeing someone else?
Will: You're mine. If you're with another guy I'll kill him
Will: You slut, you're cheating on me aren't you?
Will: I'm coming over there

At the sight of the last message my heart stopped. I threw the covers off me and ran over to Luke's room. I burst through the door and he turned around in alarm from where he had been sitting pencil and paper in hand.

"Luke, you need to look at this! Will's coming over here! He thinks I'm cheating on him! He's going to kill me! Oh my god he's actually going to kill me!" I screamed exasperated.

"Hey hey hey, settle down. Breathe ok?" Luke said sitting me down on the bed. His eyes narrowed as he scrolled through the messages on my phone.

"He's going to beat the shit out of me." I panicked.

"I'll take care of this ok?" Luke said calmly resting his hand on my thigh.

His touch was comforting and I felt my breathing slow. Luke's here, it'll be ok, I told myself. There was a pounding sound from the door below and I flinched, anxiety suddenly rising.

"It's him!" I scream whispered.

"It's ok, just stay in here." Luke said exiting the room.

I heard the door open and the sounds of a very angry Will.

"Who the fuck are you?" He screamed.

"Luke Hemmings," Luke replied in the most nonchalant manner possible, which made me smirk a little as I pictured the smug look on Luke's face.

"Get out of the way, I'm going to see Kennedy." Will growled.

"Yeah I don't think so." Luke chuckled.

"Hell yeah I am! Who the fuck do you think you are?" Will snarled, "Oh I know what's going on," he said, voice suddenly changing, "You're the bastard that's sleeping with my girlfriend."
A maniacal laugh came from Will as he processed the thought, "Tell me, how did you get the slut to do you? I have to hold the prude down myself if I want to get some."

I shuddered at his words in utter disgust.

"Really?" Luke responded in a cocky voice, "It happens consensually for me."

I gasped, slapping my hand over my mouth before I could laugh.

"Speaking of, I ought to get back to her. Can't leave a girl waiting, am I right?" Luke taunted. He paused then added, "It gets cold when you're naked and alone." Slamming the door in Will's face.

Luke ran up the stairs, practically doubling over with laughter.

"What just happened?" I exclaimed.

"I wanted to make the douche bag suffer!" He smiled.

I couldn't help but laugh as he sat down on the bed next to me. "You should've seen his face. His jaw was on the floor." Luke chuckled, his bright eyes twinkling.

"Who knew you could be such a player!" I giggled pushing his shoulder playfully.

"I'm not a player I just have a way with words." He smirked wrestling with me.

"Oh do you now?" I retorted jokingly. Pulling us down so we were laying on the bed.

"That's what the ladies say." He teased, winking at me.

"Well I'm glad you're back because I wouldn't want to get cold 'naked and alone'." I flirted, feeling the heat grow between us as I straddled him.

"Oh no, I would never let that happen" he said suddenly flipping us so that he was on top of me. He was so close I could feel the ends of his sandy blonde curls tickle my face. I felt my breath hitch as I looked up at him, not knowing what was going to happen next. His blue eyes were full of lust. He leaned down filling the gap between us. His lips softly pressed against mine. My body reacted, warmth shooting through me. The taste of his mouth was sweet and I longed for more of him. But he pulled away and smiled, "I haven't even taken you out yet."