Last time I left you off with Hikari running away from Luke. Just when he's deciding to FINALLY say something nice to her, she's the one who decides to be stupid... Ah well, as much as I want them to just get together, I have to keep this running. This is a filler chapter for the next two/three chapters that are to come. There is some fatherly advice in this chapter and a bit of pervert-ness from Hikari going on. Anyway, R and R please!
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"What did I do?" Luke asked, sand slipping through his fingers as he grabbed at the ground.
"I guess, hic, she wasn't interested. She, hic, must've thought you was drunk!" Owen slurred, collapsing onto Kathy's lap as she began to stroke his hair.
"But I'm not," Luke said quietly, looking down at the sand where her feet had been imprinted only a few seconds ago. "I only had one beer…"
Renee came up behind Luke and hugged him as best as she could with her big belly. "I'm sure if you explained that to Hikari she'd understand."
Luke stood up and brushed himself off. "Then that's what I'm going to do."
He started to walk away, only hearing Renee's ecstatic sobbing as Toby approached her with a blue feather, before he was stopped. In front of him was the body of an exotic dancer, the hottest girl on the island. But Luke didn't care. All he wanted was to apologize to Hikari.
"Where are you going Lukey-poo?" Selena asked, trailing her fingers down his chest.
He took her hands and pushed them aside. "Not anywhere with you," he answered, his face cross.
"What did I do?" Selena shrieked, her face contorted with anger, making her much less attractive. "It's because of that stupid, bland farmer girl isn't it? She's just your type isn't she? Spunky. Well whether you know it or not, I'm spunky too. Trust me, ask any of the guys I've dated and they'll tell you."
"This isn't about you Selena," Luke said, sighing. "Now look, I've got to go."
Luke started to walk away again, only for his plans to be foiled by yet another visitor. And this time, it was someone who couldn't look attractive even if he was placed inside a cardboard box wrapped up in duck-tape. Or at least, in Luke's opinion he couldn't.
"Why did Hikari run off?" Gill asked, his voice icy with hatred.
"She saw you and went to go puke," Luke answered dully and tried to dodge Gill.
But his efforts failed.
"You hurt her didn't you? Didn't you?" Gill said, grabbing the front of Luke's shirt in his fist.
"No! I mean, yes, but I didn't mean to! I was trying to be considerate and I-" But he was cut off again.
"Listen carefully you ignorant fool," Gill said, his voice sounding so evil that even his whispering made Luke shiver. "If you do anything, say anything, or even think of anything that would give me a reason to think that you might hurt Hikari, you will never get another chance to apologize to her. You hear me?"
Luke nodded. "I would never hurt her on purpose," he whispered, anger boiling inside of him. "Even if hurting her meant getting all the fame, fortune, and girls I wanted. Even…even if it meant getting my mother back, I still wouldn't hurt her for it."
And Gill let go of his shirt at that moment. He knew that Luke had a soft spot about his mom; he was only a kid when he lost her. Gill had lost his mother too, in fact.
"Get out of here," Gill whispered in Luke's ear. "Get out of here and go fix things with Hikari."
Luke nodded silently before Gill disappeared back to the beach. The fireworks had died out, leaving only their trail of smoke behind. Luke hoped it wasn't too late. He hoped that for whatever reason Hikari was really mad at him for, it wasn't something he couldn't fix.
Even through his thick skull, he knew Hikari wasn't mad at him because of the alcohol. It was something else.
But Luke couldn't figure out what.
Hikari was sitting on the edge of her bed, her tears falling onto the sheets faster than she could catch them in her hands. The fact of the matter was that she wasn't angry at Luke for complimenting her while he was drunk. Rather, she was delighted about that.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Like she was missing something, something that both of them could end up benefiting from. But Hikari was also scared that getting too close to Luke could break her heart. He was too aloof to even notice that she was in love with him. And she felt that she was in way over her head.
A knock issued from the door and Hikari quickly wiped away her tears. She didn't want someone, especially Gill or Selena, to see her cry. She opened it and her hand flew to her mouth. Salty tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked at the love of her life, blurred by her teary eyes.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking.
Hikari thought about collapsing into his arms. She really wanted to. She wanted to forget everything and let herself melt into him. But she knew loving him was going to break her heart. Loving him did break her heart.
"Thank you," Hikari said stiffly. She didn't dare move.
One move would break her. One move would make her let go all of the secrets she kept bottled up inside. One move would be the only thing standing in the way of three words she wanted to say.
I love you.
"Hikari," Luke said, his voice timid and scared. "I'm not drunk."
"I know," Hikari whispered, her voice barely audible.
And the way he said it, his voice was holding everything she needed. But she knew she couldn't have it. It wasn't for her taking. And even though he was standing right beside her, she had never felt farther apart from him.
And why?
Because she couldn't admit to herself that by confessing to Luke, she could actually create something new. Something amazing.
Or she could completely destroy everything they had.
"Look," Hikari said, taking Luke's hand and sitting down on the front steps of her porch. "I can't explain to you what's happening to me. I can't explain why every time I see you my heart flutters. And I will never ever be able to explain why I deserve a friend like you… Because, when it all comes down to nothing, when I can't possibly live with myself anymore, you are always there for me. You're the one who I can turn to. And Luke…I-I l-"
Her lips were silenced by his. She felt warm tears mix with her own and cold hands brush against her cheeks, wiping away her tears.
"Sometimes, you don't have to explain everything to me. Sometimes, I just know," Luke whispered.
Hikari pulled away, wondering how so much happiness could come from one person. It was simple. It was love.
"Hikari," Luke said urgently, his golden cat-like eyes pleading for her attention. "I have to go into town to sell some firewood and furniture tomorrow. Do you want to come with me? It'll be like a big road trip!"
Hikari laughed at his enthusiasm. "Of course, but who will watch my animals and water my crops?"
"I got Bo to do it," Luke said, obviously proud with himself. "And trust me; he didn't put up much of a fight to do it."
"Alright then," Hikari said, "I guess I better go pack!"
"Ok, awesome!" Luke said, standing up and holding his hand out for Hikari to hoist herself up. "I'll see you, Luna, Owen, Anissa, Renee, Toby, and Kathy tomorrow then!"
Hikari's heart sunk. I guess it's not much of a romantic trip if almost everyone in town is going… She thought but smiled anyway as Luke waved goodbye.
As soon as Luke was out of sight, Hikari smiled to herself as she felt that warm, bubbling feeling boil up inside of her. However, the feeling soon faded and turned sour as she was rudely greeted by her next guest.
"You may think you have him wrapped around your finger, you ugly little farm girl," Selena spat as her words burned like venom into Hikari's heart. "But you and I both know that he'll get bored of you eventually. You don't have much to offer, do you?"
Hikari scowled and bit her tongue, not wanting to say anything to the obviously jealous dancer. Selena circled Hikari with her ruby red eyes narrowed and a devious smile dancing on her lips.
"Don't want to talk, hmm? Well then, I guess I'll tell you how this is going to play out. You are not going with Luke to the market. I am. And you are going to leave him alone. It's obvious he deserves better. You're just keeping him away from who he really wants. Someone who's been here since birth. Someone who can remember his mother."
Hikari instantly felt a twinge of guilt plunge into her gut. She was the reason that Luke had lost the last connection he had to his mother. She had lost the necklace that he held onto oh-so-dearly.
"You're right," Hikari said, sighing. "He does deserve someone who can laugh with him, remember memories, and talk to him about his mom. But you and I both know that you aren't the person to do the job. I may not have known Mary, but at least I can act like I remember who she is. You probably didn't even know her name until I just said it! Oh and another thing, I'm going with Luke to the market and there's nothing you can do to stop me."
Selena stood there, completely bewildered at Hikari's comment. But Hikari didn't wait for a response. Instead, she walked up the steps to the front door of her farm house and slammed it behind her.
Hikari rushed over to the phone and quickly dialed Luke's number.
"Hey, I need a favor," she said when Luke picked up.
"Sure anything. What's up?"
"If I pack early, can I come stay at your house overnight? Selena is sort of, err, threatening me that she'll do something terrible to me if I go to the market with you."
Luke laughed. "You're scared of her, huh?"
Hikari's bottom lip curved into a pout—the way it often did when she was upset. "No! You're crazy… It's just that, you know…I'm being…extra safe." She laughed nervously.
No answer.
"Alright fine!" Hikari said, giving in. "I'm scared of Selena! Can I stay with you now?"
Luke roared with laughter. "Sure! But, uh, only if it's okay with you that Owen and Toby are staying the night too."
"Sure, fine, whatever. I'll be over in a few," Hikari said and quickly hung up the phone.
Hikari's lips curved into a grin. Sometimes Luke was so dense that anything could slip past him. In all honestly, she hoped to be alone with him so she could straighten things out—really straighten things out. Was she scared of Selena? Not at all.
But a sleepover? With three guys? Including the one she was in love with? She sighed. I should have stayed in the city… she thought but knew that wasn't true. She loved her life here more than anything else in the whole world. How bad could a sleepover with them be?
Well, it turned out to be a normal sleepover. When Hikari was little, she couldn't help but wonder what guys did at slumber parties. Now that she was at one, it wasn't so different from her own. All they did was watch movies, and for Owen and Toby, talk about babies.
"So what do you want to have, Owen?" Hikari asked, picking another cherry from the party-sized bowl and popping it in her mouth.
She was lounging on Luke's bed in an oversized t-shirt—compliments of Luke himself. Luke was lying next to her, flipping through some magazine she didn't dare glance at more than twice. It made her feel rather insecure.
"A boy," Owen said, clutching his head with his hand. His buzz was obviously starting to wear off. "But honestly, I'm fine with either. I think Kathy wants a girl anyway."
"I don't really care what Renee and I have. I'm just so excited she said yes. I was scared that because of the baby, she wouldn't want anything to do with me. It was merely child's play that the baby was created after all…" Toby mused, sitting criss-crossed on Luke's floor.
"I'm just happy you two are still together with Kathy and Renee," Hikari said. "Kathy was so worried you wouldn't accept her back, Owen."
Owen nodded, a blush appearing on his cheeks. Then he eyed Toby who in return, smiled deviously at him.
"So Luke and Hikari," Toby said and Luke glanced up from his magazine article titled '10 ways to tell if she wants you'.
Hikari made sure to remember that he was reading that for future reference.
"What's your baby story?" Owen asked.
Toby stood up and began to act out the different baby-making scenarios. "Firefly festival slip up? Alone in his room scandal? Or Luke's favorite, the unzipped dress theory."
Luke's mouth dropped open and matched Hikari's expression of terror. How did they know about that? More importantly, who told them about that?
"Gill's quite the chatterbox when he's drunk," Owen said, trying not to laugh while Toby doubled-over with fits of laughter.
"I. Am. So. Going. To. Kill. Him," Luke said, his hands balled into fists and his face contorted with anger.
Hikari placed a hand on his shoulder. "Honestly, it's probably what Gill wants. He's just looking for reasons to make you angry. Don't worry about it, Luke." Her gaze set upon the pair sitting on the floor. "You two haven't told anyone have you?"
Owen and Toby glanced at each other. Toby shook his head "no" but Owen remained stoic.
"Well, err," Owen started, fidgeting around with the ties on his swim trunks. "Only Kathy… But I made her swear not to tell! I promise! She's good at keeping secrets."
Hikari laughed nervously. "Alright, Owen. But no one else can be told, okay? The whole incident was just a…"
"Moment of passion," Luke offered and Owen and Toby roared with laughter.
Hikari nodded. "Exact—wait did you say 'moment of passion'? That's really sweet of you…"
Luke looked confused but didn't have time to respond because Dale knocked on the door. Hikari quickly jumped behind Luke's bed so Dale wouldn't see her. She wasn't even supposed to be at Luke's house in the first place.
"Son?" Dale said as he entered the room. "I know you're all grown men, but I think it would be in your best interest to go to sleep. You've got a long journey ahead of you tomorrow."
"Thanks pops," Luke muttered, walking over to his dresser with his shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Did you ask Hikari if she could come?"
"Mhmm," Luke said as he began to undress. "She said yes."
Layers of clothing were strewn across the floor and Hikari let out a light gasp. Dale's eyes widened as he found the young farmer in his son's clothes, in his son's room, at a sleepover!
"Miss Hikari," Dale said, his voice strained as he tried to stay calm. "May I ask what you're doing here?"
Luke spun around in only his boxers and blushed a deep shade of red. He's so gonna kill me… Luke thought.
"Umm, hanging out?" Hikari said sheepishly.
Dale let out a long sigh and took Hikari by the arm. "Can you 'hang out' on the coach please?"
Hikari nodded and eyed Luke for a moment. Her eyes decided to take the "Luke's rockin' body" tour without her permission. First his lovely face, complete with his azure shaggy hair, golden cat-like eyes, and his goofy yet adorable "I'm screwed" expression. His chest and abs, all perfectly carved. All the way down to his… Hikari quickly stopped looking and averted her gaze, blushing and feeling incredibly stupid.
"Night," the boys called.
"Night," Hikari said, not looking back at them.
Dale had set up the pop-out bed, one all too familiar to her. She must have slept on that bed maybe a hundred times back when she first started farming. Luke, Dale, and Bo were all kind enough to let her stay the night when her house needed repairs, when she was upset about something, or even just for fun. She couldn't help but feel like Dale was a second father to her. This made her all the more guilty about falling in love with Luke, although she didn't really care.
"Have a good night sleep, Hikari," Dale said, his hand on the light switch.
"Umm, Dale, can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Dale said, coming down to sit beside her.
"Do you know if Luke is dense enough to completely ignore someone's feelings? Like, if they actually like him more than a friend?"
Hikari saw a smile creep up on Dale's lips. "Well," he said. "I think deep down he knows how yo, I mean, this person feels about him. He's probably waiting to figure it out himself. As you know, Luke lost his mom at a young age and believe it or not, I wasn't all that great in the love department. So I don't have many tips for him. But I will tell you this, Luke has the capacity in his heart to love more than anyone else on the island and when the time is right, he'll fall head over heels for this girl. I know she's very special to him, by the way."
Hikari smiled and wrapped her arms around Dale. "Thanks."
Dale nodded and got up to turn off the lights. Hikari sunk under she warm sheets, smelling Luke's sent of freshly cut wood, wood shavings, and pine needles. No matter how many times she smelled that, it just got sweeter every time.
Luke, I know you don't know it yet, but I love you… And I know that you're the only one for me. I promise, I'll wait for you forever…
"Hikari?"
It was Luke.
"Hmm?" Hikari said, pretending to be groggy.
"Can I talk to you?"
Ooh, cliff-hanger! DUN DUN DUN! And unfortunetly, you might have to wait a little longer for an update. My cousins are coming into town so I won't be able to write anything for a week or so! Gives you more time to review, no? Yes! So the more reviews, the faster I update! Let's try for at least 8 this chapter! But you know, because I love you all, I'll update soon whether or not I get 8 or more reviews. Just not as fast without the reviews ;) Ok, I'm done yammering!
Oh wait, one last question. Should Luke and Hikari "do it"? I'm not making her pregnant by any means so just be aware of that. I may or I may not write that in, I just want to know what you guys think!