Beginning Notes

DO NOT READ THE BEGINNING NOTES IF YOU HAVEN'T READ TRIALS OF APOLLO YET!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED...

Guest: Yea... and Jason dies in the Trials of Apollo book 3... sooo...

I know... :'( And I'm literally counting down the days until the fourth book arrives (93) just to be proved wrong... And yeah, even if that point alone is ignored, they broke up... sooo... Let's just all pretend they lived happily ever after okay? AU.

As mentioned in the last chapter, Bianca ships Luke and Star, but is that because they would make a good couple, or because they like each other but are just sooooo oblivious? *cough cough, like Percy during almost the whole pjo series, cough cough* (still don't own the characters)

Luke's POV

Why do TV shows always make blind dating seem so easy? Because they plan it out? Because they just hired actors? Or because it actually is easy? I don't know. But it always seems to be like: You guys like the same thing? Cool, go on a blind date. Oh, you guys can get along? Well, you're welcome! You just found your soul mate! No. It doesn't go like that.

'Hey, Char?' I ask. 'Yeah?' 'I need your help.' Charlotte puts her book down and turns to me. 'What is it Lukie?' 'I... uh... well, this girl asked me on a date... I guess?' 'You guess?' 'Yeah?' It really sounds like I'm asking her if the girl asked me out, so I quickly add: 'But here's the thing: I don't actually know her.' 'But would you want to go on a date with her?' Charlotte asks. 'I guess?' She laughs. 'Lukie, do you want to go on a date with her, yes or no?' 'Yeah?' 'Well, you'll go on a date with her, see how it goes, and if you like each other, maybe...' I nod. 'Thanks Char.' 'No problem.'

So Charlotte thinks I should try something new, and see how it goes. I mean... it's not bad advice, but I need a second opinion, so I go see Star. 'Mum, Dad, I'm going to Star!' I shout before I close the door behind me.

'Hey, Luke,' Star says. 'Hey, um, I have a problem, and I need your honest opinion on it,' I say. 'Sure, but can we like, go get some Starbucks or something, Liam has some friends over and-' There is a loud crash somewhere. 'And they can get pretty noisy.' 'Yeah, sure,' I say.

We go get some Starbucks, but decide to go sit on a bench in the park nearby. 'So, your problem?' 'Ah, yes,' I say. 'So this girl asked me out.' 'That's great! What's she like?' Star asks. 'Yes, that's the problem. I don't know her. And I don't know if I should go out with her,' I admit. 'I take it Char told you to follow your heart and do what feels best?' 'Yeah.' 'Thought so,' she said smiling. 'Well, it's not bad advice. What do you want?' she asked.

That made me think about it properly for the first time really. Did I want to go out with a girl I barely knew? 'I mean, she seems nice,' I say. 'And she doesn't look too bad.' 'But do you want to go out with her?' Star asks. 'If only I'd know her a bit better...' 'Well, after the date you will.' I considered that for a little. 'Yeah, that seems right,' I say.

Star smiles. It's adorable. 'Have you ever been on a date?' she asks. 'No,' I admit. 'Wow. Do you know what to do on a date? Wait, where are you guys going?' 'Somewhere. We're like going out to dinner,' I say. 'Aha. Any idea what a gentleman should do on a date?' she asks, wiggling her eyebrows. 'Not really...' 'Tell you what: we'll go on a practice date for you, and then you'll know how a perfect date should go, you two will get along and... And you'll make a cute couple,' she said. Her smile fades at the last part. Or was I just imagining that? 'Of course it won't be a real date,' she adds. 'Okay,' I say.

We get lunch together, and Star tells me what to do, and what not to do. We discuss some good conversation topics, which I'm extremely grateful for, because even with my close friends I rarely know what to talk about, and I'm practically going on a date with a stranger. 'Okay, smile a lot,' Star says. 'You have an adorable smile, and I bet she'll love it. Girls love a happy partner.' 'Okay,' I say. Honestly, she's the one who should smile more, she could light up the night sky with that smile.

After lunch we walk home together. 'So, when is your date?' 'Saturday,' I answer. 'I'm coming over to make sure you look good,' she says. 'I always look good,' I joke. 'Whatever Prince Charming.'

Saturday evening comes, and I'm not as nervous as I thought I'd be. My practice date with Star had been fun, so I supposed this would be about the same.

'How will I know if it's a good date?' I ask. It's almost time for me to go, and Star is making some final touches to my outfit. 'If she makes you happy. If you had a good time,' she says, straightening my tie. I take a deep breath. 'You'll do fine,' she says.

The date by far wasn't as good as the practice one. It wasn't as fun, things didn't go too smoothly, and even though I had prepared enough good conversation topics, we barely had a proper conversation. It was very awkward. I didn't even get to know the girl, like I had hoped.

When I got home, Star and Charlotte were waiting for me. 'And? How did it go?' they asked. I shrugged. Charlotte walked up to me and gave me a hug. 'I'm sorry to hear that Lukie. I promise your next date will be better,' she said. 'But I'm really tired, so we'll talk about it tomorrow, kay?' I nod. Charlotte goes to bed, and Star and I are alone.

'What happened?' she asked. 'I don't know. It's just... You said that if I had a good time and if she made me happy, it was a good date. Did I have a good time? Not really. But did she make me happy though? Not in the slightest,' I say. If I'm honest, I was just disappointed that it didn't go as well as our practice date. 'Did you at least get to know her?' Star asks. 'Nope.' 'I just thought it would be as easy as the practice date,' I say. 'What do you mean?'

It's quiet for a while. Then it clicks. How I'd had fun on a practice date, how I noticed the little things, like the little curl in her hair that was too short to be tucked behind her ear, or that her eyes shine differently with every emotion, but they always shine. How I'd enjoyed watching her smile. Why hadn't I noticed before? All this time, I'd tried new things, while what I was waiting for, was right here all this time. I liked Star.

I don't know how, but suddenly it was just like in the movies where everything is perfect. I tilted my head a little, and it seamed like the world around us stopped when our lips touched. She put her arms around my neck and kissed me back. When we break apart, I finally answer her question: 'Our date was just better. You make me happy Star Grace.' 'You make me happy too Luke Jackson,' she says, and leans in for another kiss.

End Notes

Aaaw, that makes me happy. You know what else makes me happy? All your guys' reviews. Seriously, they make my day. So please, leave some more so I know what you guys thought of that chapter. And if you have any ideas for the other characters, feel free to let me know. Have a great last day of Pride Month y'all, byeee :)