A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update but my computer broke. Anyways, this is the last chapter for this story! Sorry if you don't like the ending, I had some trouble trying to tie it all together. Hope you enjoy!(:
Luke's POV
I stood in the hallway transferring books from my locker into my bag on the last day of school. When I finished, I closed my locker and saw a girl standing behind my locker door. It was Cara Sykes, one of the richest, most popular girls in school. Coincidentally, she was obsessed with me.
"Hi, Luke!" She greeted cheerfully.
"Um, hi.." I replied, obviously not wanting to talk to her.
"So as you've probably heard already, I'm throwing a summer kick off party tonight. You're like, totally invited but you need a date. I'm still available." She said, placing a too skinny arm on my arm.
"Oh, um cool I might be there." I answered as I tried to push past her.
"Wait, don't you want to ask me?"
"Uh, sorry Cara, you're really cool and everything but if I go I'm bringing Michelle."
Her face twisted into a look of shock and... Disgust?
"That weird emo freak!?" She yelled, her voice breaking.
"Michelle is not a freak! She's amazing, way more amazing than you'll ever be!" I defended. I was probably in for a huge mental breakdown but I wasn't gonna let her bad mouth my lady!
"But she has piercings on her face!" She whispered fiercely.
"And that's a bad thing? I love her piercings!"
"Why would you take her when you could take me!?"
"Because you're mean and scary."
"I'M THE MOST POPULAR GIRL IN SCHOOL!" She shrieked before storming off, screaming "WHY DOESN'T HE LIKE ME!?" at anyone that crossed her pat
I shook my head at the crazy scene I had just witnessed and headed up to my third period class, the first class I had with Michelle. When I got there she was already sitting in her desk, next to stupid Nathan Redmond.
"Michelle, could I talk to you? In private." I asked through gritted teeth, glaring at Nathan.
"Uh, sure." She answered, following me out into the hall.
"So... You and Nathan...?"
"We're just friends, I told you."
"Oh. And you and I are...?
"Friends."
I frowned and walked closer to her.
"Are you going to Cara's party tonight?"
"I don't know. Parties aren't really my thing."
"Will you go with me?"
She raised her eyebrows, a small smile playing at her lips.
"As friends." She agreed.
"Whatever, I'd rather be your friend than nothing at all!"
She smiled and walked into the classroom. I danced and pumped my fist in the air as soon as I was sure she could no longer see me. 'Just friends' is a start, right? Whatever, tonight's my chance and I most definitely will not blow it this time!
Michelle's POV
I stood in front of my full length mirror, staring at my reflection. I was wearing purple jeans and an Adventure Time shirt with black high top Converse and the loads of chunky bracelets I wear almost every day. I guess this is good enough, It's not like I still like Luke or anything... Whatever. I walked to the bathroom and brushed my dark curls before doing my usual makeup. Just a bit after I finished, there was a knock on the door, probably Luke. I walked downstairs to answer it, only to see all four of my little sisters beat me to it. I smiled at the sight of Luke, bent down at eye level with them, joking and laughing with them.
"Hey." I said plainly.
"Hi. You look cute." He complimented, standing up. He was wearing ripped jeans and a white button up shirt.
My youngest sister, Grace, wrinkled her nose. "You love my sister." She smiled.
"Yeah, well... Let's go, Michelle." He trailed off, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
I said goodbye to my sisters and followed Luke outside of the building to a taxi. Apparently, Cara lives in a giant house, not a building so this party was supposed to be pretty big. The ride was short and silent. Mostly because Luke's long stares made me too uncomfortable to start a conversation. Yep, I'm that awkward.
As soon as we stepped out of the cab we could already tell the place was packed. That was kind of expected though, as we were 20 minutes late and Cara is super rich and popular. Music was blasting and there were kids smoking and drinking on the front porch. That made me a bit uncomfortable. When we walked inside, the place was like a teenage wasteland. Two half naked girls ran past us, almost knocking us over and practically everyone was drinking from a red solo cup.
"This is exactly why parties aren't my thing." I said, though I doubt he heard me because it was so loud.
"Let's find somewhere quieter." He shouted over the noise. I nodded and followed him up 3 stories to a quiet room where kids were playing truth or dare.
"Michelle! Come here!" Called my friend Brooke. Luke and I sat with her on one giant bean bag chair.
"Are you two back together?" She asked hopefully. Brooke is like, the only one of my friends that thinks Luke and I should get back together. She says we're 'right for each other'.
"No." I answered.
"I wish." Luke replied.
"Hmmm." Brooke said thoughtfully.
Ugh, she's definitely up to something. I know that smug look on her face all too well.
After a few more minutes of watching kids get totally humiliated, it was Brooke's turn. She smirked evilly at me and I groaned. Oh god, what am I in for?
"Michelle, I dare you to go in that closet with Luke." She said, pointing at a closet across the room. Everyone laughed.
"I'm in!" Luke grinned.
"Luke is gettin' some!" Laughed Luke's friend, Josh. I immediately flipped him off and he shut up.
"Why!?" I hissed.
"Just do it!" She said, shoving Luke and I into the closet.
"You can't come out until you work out your problems!" She called before locking the door.
"Ugh, can you believe her?" I groaned sliding down the wall.
"Well, we really should talk." He said, taking a seat next to me. I said nothing and continued staring straight ahead.
"I'm sorry. Really. I know I've said it a million times already but I never meant to hurt you." He said. I still didn't reply.
"The bet happened before I met you, I swear. I stopped as soon as I met you, really. You changed me. You're the first girl I've ever really cared about. Please talk to me, Michelle."
"I really care about you, Luke." I managed to choke out, placing my hand over his but still not looking at him. I don't know why but this was a lot harder than I imagined it would be.
"I care about you too. Michelle, will you take me back?" He asked. I had no clue what to say. I wanted to, I really did, but I just didn't want to be hurt again. He hurt me once, why wouldn't he do it a second time?
"I can't, Luke." I answered, my voice strained. I heard a groan of disapproval from the other side of the door, probably Brooke.
"Michelle. I'm sorry I hurt you, I never meant to and I'll never do it again. I loved you, I love you!"
Brooke (Or somebody) gasped, along with me.
"You what!?" I shouted. There was no way he loved me. We're too young for love! Hell, I'm not even sure love exists!
"Michelle Regina Atkinson, I love you. I'm in love with you." He said boldly.
I was silent for a long time.
"You think you might wanna love me too?"
"I'm 14. I don't know what love is. Neither do you. You just think you love me."
"That's not true! I knowI'm in love with you!"
"Luke, I... I like you." I said lamely. This whole 'love' thing made me really uncomfortable.
"You like me? Well, it's not love but it's a start! Will you give me a second chance?" He asked sincerely.
"...Yes." I said quietly. I stood up and he kissed me, placing his hands around my waist and mine on his shoulders.
"Finally!" Shouted Brooke as she opened the door. Everyone else was crowded around her, the girls swooning and the guys laughing at Luke for being so mushy. I guess they heard the whole thing. I laughed, leaning on Luke.
"Let's get out of here." He said, leading me down the stairs.
The floor below us was like a dance room sorta thing. There was a DJ and a food table and people dancing. Basically, it was almost exactly like the ball that Luke and I went to the night we started dating.
"I'll be right back." He told me, a smile on his face. I leaned against the wall and waited for him to get back. He returned and The Only Exception by Paramore began playing, the song that was playing when we first kissed.
"May I have this dance?" He smiled, extending his hand towards me.
"Of course." I replied.
And on that dance floor, it all came back to me. Every memory I had of him, every tiny detail, every reason the risk was worth it. Maybe love isn't real but it can't hurt to try.
