Vacation buddy, p.12
Vacation Buddy, page 12
“Yeah, I need to sit down for a moment,” I said, sitting down on the bench.
“Okay, I am going to take care of Luke,” Hailey said.
I nodded as she walked away.
I sat there for a few minutes. Did they just really fight over me? Who threw the first punch? Is Luke okay? Is Jamison okay? I finally got up and walked over to where Jamison was.
“Piper. Are you okay?” Jamison asked.
“I'll leave you guys alone. Just hold that ice on your cheek,” Nolan instructed, walking out.
“Who threw the first punch?” I asked.
“Luke,” he answered. “I saw you guys kiss, and after you walked out, I went to go talk to him and he freaked out and hit me.”
“Okay.”
“Is that it? Just okay?” Jamison snapped at me.
“Jamison, I can’t do this right now. I’m confused, shocked, and just don’t know what's happening,” I snapped back on the verge of tears. “I have to go check on Luke.”
“Piper! No! Come back!” Jamison yelled as I ran away. Jamison didn’t even look at me, hug me, he didn’t do anything.
“Jax, Hailey? How’s Luke?” I asked, looking at Luke who was sitting down on one of the chairs with his eyes closed.
“Alive and breathing,” Jax said.
“Her, I’ll give you guys space,” Hailey said, handing me a wet towel.
“Thanks,” I said grabbing the towel.
“Piper is that you?” Luke asked.
“Yes, how are you feeling?” I asked, cleaning a bit of blood off his lip.
“Like my head is about to explode,” Luke responded, feeling his head.
“Don’t touch, you might make it worse,” I said, gently removing his hand.
“Okay doctor,” Luke chuckled, he opened his eyes and looked at me. “Were you crying?”
“No,” I said as I was about to be on the verge of tears about to cry.
“About to?” He asked.
I shook my head yes.
“Piper, I'm sorry. Come here,” he said, pointing to the empty chair in front of him.
I sat down and just started to cry, letting out all of my emotions. Once I calmed down I just sat there still hugging him.
“Piper, I'm sorry. I tried to pull him off of me. I didn't mean to hurt him that bad.”
“Wait, he told me you hit him first,” I said, pulling away.
“Yeah, once you left he came up to me and started yelling, I stood up to calm him down and he punched me.”
“Jamison said you punched first. Ugh, I’m so confused.”
“Piper look, I'm sorry about all this. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t kissed you we would be fine,” Luke explained.
“Luke it’s okay. Jamison shouldn’t have lied to me. Look, you go home, get some rest, I’m going to go up to my room and tell my parents what happened,” I told him.
“Do you think they are still at the restaurant?’ Luke asked.
“No, your mom is probably in my room with Page.”
“Okay, I'm probably just going to stay in the hospitality suite tonight with my mom.”
“Good night, Luke,” I said kissing him on the cheek.
“Night, Piper. Please be safe walking back up to the room, and don't talk to Jamison tonight, for me at least.
“I won’t. I'll meet you at the spot tomorrow before I leave,” I said getting up.
“Nine o’clock right?”
“Yep,” I said walking away. I went the opposite way of Jamison. I can’t tell if Jamison is lying so that’s why I asked Luke, when he lies, Luke never looks me in the eyes so I knew he was telling the truth. I opened the door and went inside, I heard Jamison calling after me. I walked up the big staircase. I had always imagined running down this staircase in a beautiful dress with someone I loved or going to someone I love, but here I was running away up the stairs from my boyfriend who lied to my face. I got up to the floor of the lobby and ran towards the elevator. I clicked on the button and the doors open, I walked inside and clicked on floor seven.
“Piper wait! What's wrong.?” Jamison asked standing outside of the doors.
“You lied to me. You said Luke threw the first punch, I know you lied. The biggest part in a relationship is trust, and you lied straight into my face where you could’ve told the truth and we would have worked it out,” I explained.
“Piper, please.”
“No. Wait for another elevator or take the stairs. You lied to me, and punched my best friend,” I said as the doors closed.
I heard him yell my name a few times, but my head was spinning with thoughts. Why did he lie? All he had to do was tell me the truth, we could’ve talked it out. I was planning on breaking up with him when we got back home, but now I didn’t think I should wait.
As my thoughts were spinning around in my mind the doors opened and I walked down the hall to my room. I opened the door and Chanel and Page we’re sitting on the beds talking and drinking a glass of wine.
“Hey sweetie,” my mom said.
“Piper, what’s happened?” Chanel asked.
“I found Luke and we had a deep conversion, then at the end he kissed me. Jamison saw the kiss and apparently flipped out after I left to go to Hailey, they started fighting and Jax and Nolan broke them up. I asked Jamison who threw the first punch and he lied saying it was Luke, but really it was Jamison. I left and went to talk to Luke and then now I’m here,” I explained.
“Okay sweetie, look...sit down, and breathe,” my mom said. “I didn’t understand a word you just said.”
“Is Luke hurt, is he okay?” Chanel asked.
‘Yeah, yeah it's fine. Jamison hit him in the face a few times. Luke just tried to push him off,” I replied. “It’s all my fault. I let Luke kiss me and Jamison saw it.”
“Oh no, okay I'm so sorry Piper, but I have to leave. Where is Luke now?” Chanel said, standing up.
“He said he was going up to the hospitality suite and staying there tonight,” I answered.
“I thought Jett was staying there,” my mom said.
“He was,” Chanel answered. “But apparently he told Luke we could stay there tonight since you guys are in town. I had completely forgotten about it until now.”
“Go! Chieck on Luke. Call us if you need us.” My mom walked here to the door.
“Thank you. Again I'm so sorry,” Chanel said, gathering her things.
“It's alright we understand. I think Piper is in a bit of shock and her mind is probably going insane.”
“Let me know if he is alright,” Page said.
“Okay, same with Piper,” Chanel replied, closing the door behind her.
My mom walked over to me.
“Piper, are you going to break up with Jamison?”
“I think I am. I don’t know if I will do it when we get back or now.”
“Okay, I have to tell your father what happened. Get changed and go to sleep, you need rest.”
“Goodnight,” I said as my mother left to go talk to my dad. I got up and changed and went straight to bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out.
***
I woke up to my mom on the phone, packing bags, and cleaning up the room.
“Good morning sweetie sorry I didn’t mean to wake you.” My mom said, “Hey Chanel, Piper just woke up I have to go, bye.”
“It’s okay, how’s Luke?” I asked sitting up.
“Black eye, a few bruises, and a cut on his lip. Other than that he’s good.”
“Okay, what time are we leaving?”
“Thirty minutes, it's almost 9. I packed most of your stuff, and your dad and I agreed that you should stop seeing Jamison.”
“I agree, too. I'm going to go get dressed and meet Luke. He’s probably waiting on me now.”
“Chanel just told me that she and Luke are meeting us in the lobby. You have time to finish packing.”
“I’ll hurry up then.” I smiled.
I got out of bed and changed into some jean shorts and a yellow tank top. I got my purple suitcase and packed up the rest of my things. My dad brought us breakfast and soon enough it was time for us to go home. I haven't seen Jamison all morning and I don’t want to see him at all. We left the room and I saw Jamison standing in the hall next to Wake and my dad, I just smiled and walked next to my mom. We made it to the lobby and saw Chanel standing in the lobby waiting for us.
“Good morning.” Chanel walked up to us. “Piper come give me a hug. Luke is waiting for you at your spot.”
“I have to go meet up with Luke, I'll be back,” I said walking away.
“No, I am not having you go see Luke. He is bad news.” Jamison said, while grabbing my arm.
“If you don’t let go of me-” I said before he cut me off.
“You’ll what? Hit me?” He asked.
“I'll do way worse,” I said, pulling my arm out of his grip. “We're done. When we get back to Georgia, you won’t talk to me, call me, or text me. Understand?”
“Piper, think about this,” he said.
“I have,” I said, turning around and running down the stairs.
I made it outside where I saw Jax folding towels. “Piper!” Jax called.
“Hey Jax, I'm leaving today,” I explained.
‘Well, see you next year.” He gave me a small wave.
“Bye loser,” I said, walking away. I made it to the Beach Club to say bye to Hailey.
“Piper! What happened after you left?” Hailey said.
“Jamison and I had a small fight and I just broke up with him.”
“Oh, sorry! What’s going to happen with you and Luke?”
“I have no clue, but I'll see you soon.” I said giving her a hug.
“Bye Piper, good luck.”
“I need it,” I said walking away.
I walked down the path and saw Luke sitting on the white bench staring at his phone.
“Hey Luke,” I sat down on the bench.
“Wassup Piper,” Hh said, putting his phone in his pocket.
“How are you feeling?” I asked lifting up chin to see his black eyes and bruises.
“Still hurts, other than that I can say I've been in a fight,” he chuckled.
“I broke up with Jamison.”
“You did? Please tell me you did it for you, not me.”
“I did it for both of us, mostly me. But you were a small factor in it.”
“Well I'm glad you did. Piper, I have too much going on to be in a relationship. I can’t commit to anything and also we live far apart so that's even harder.”
“I know. Let’s just go ahead and say it, Luke. I like you. I like you so much.”
“I like you Piper, I really do.” He finally confessed his feelings and so did I.
“How about this. We still are friends, we still can date, but when we are ready to commit to each other, we date?”
“I agree.?”
“Yeah kinda like that.”
“I'll see you next year, Piper.”
“Bye Luke.” I said getting up.
“Oh I almost forgot.” Luke said standing and grabbing my waist.
“What?”
“This.” Luke leaned in and kissed me for the second time in twenty four hours. His lips melted into mine once again and I didn’t hesitate, I kissed him back.
“Now can I leave?” I questioned.
“Yes.” He said sitting back down.
“Wipe that little smirk off your face.”
“Bye Piper.”
“Bye Luke.”
Chapter 15
“What store should we go to next?” Ellie asked.
It’s three days before I leave for vacation, and two days until my big dance competition. Ellie and I are shopping and getting our nails done. Luke and I have been texting, calling, and Facetiming almost everyday now. He gives me all the tea that’s happening around Barefoot Bliss, like Hailey and Nolan, who are now dating and living together.
I have other things on my mind, too. Like if I don’t win this dance competition I don’t get in the finals, which means I don’t make it to nationals.
“Earth to Piper,” Ellie said.
“Hmmm...sorry. What?”
Sighing Ellie repeated, “What to do next?”
“We should go get lunch because I’m starving, and I have to be at practice at five,” I explained.
I still had to work on my routine and my solo.
“Oh, I always forget you have practice on Friday,” Ellie replied.
“Hello! You sometimes take me and pick me up from practice,” I laughed.
“Oh yeah, that’s right. So I need to drop you off today?” Ellie asked.
“No, but I do need you to pick up. Page has some PTA meeting and Grant is working late on a new trial, as usual. So, pretty please.”
“Okay I will.” Ellie said as we sat down at one of the food court tables. “Since when did you start calling your parents by their first name?”
“I dunno. Since calling them Mom and Dad sounded childish, I guess.”
Ellie and I stopped by Subway and ordered sandwiches to go. Then she drove me home so I could get ready and go to practice. Page dropped me off and I told her Ellie would be the one to pick me up. After three long hours of dancing and sweating my butt off, Ellie picked me up and took me home.
“Thanks again, I'll see you tomorrow,” I said to Ellie who pulled up in front of my house.
“No problem. I love driving you around.” She said as I got out of her baby blue Mini Cooper.
I was exhausted. So exhausted that I almost missed seeing a lavender flower sitting on the welcome mat. I picked it up, thinking it was another flower from Jamison as a take me back “I’m sorry” gift. Then I unlocked the door and went inside, my parents we’re at dinner and Wake was old enough to be alone for a while. He was probably in his room playing video games.
I threw my dance bag down and climbed up the stairs. I noticed my bedroom lights were on. I could have sworn I turned them off. I gasped when I opened the door and saw a familiar face sitting on my bed, looking through a photo album.
“Luke?” I asked, confused.
“Oh hey, Piper. I just realized how cute you were when we met. We were so little back then.” He held up a page of photos with us sitting by the pool at Barefoot Bliss.
“What? How? Why are you here?” I scratched my head in wonderment.
“I couldn’t miss your big dance competition.” He placed the album down. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”
I couldn’t help it. I ran up and hugged him. His familiar scent filled up the space between us. I leaned my head on his chest and he placed his chin on top of my head.
“Someone did miss me,” he chortled.
“Shut up! You missed me, too.” I said, pulling away.
“Here, I forgot to give you this last year. Jamison kinda ruined it,” Luke said, handing me a yellow box with a lavender ribbon tied around it.
“Ugh, don’t say his name again, please. I’m trying to forget,” I said. I took the beautiful yellow box with Valencia Key Jewelry engraved on it. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Just open it.”
I smiled and carefully untied the ribbon. I opened the box and there was a shiny 14 carat gold bracelet with “Believe” engraved on it.
“Luke, it’s absolutely stunning,” I said, putting the bracelet on my wrist.
“You're beautiful,” he said, lifting my chin up with his hand.
“Oh shut up,” I said, playfully pushing him away.
“Piper, I mean it. Your beautiful, you always have been, since the moment I saw you. You're smart, brave, and have such a big heart. I dream about you all the time. I can’t get you out of my head. I can’t wait any longer. I love you Piper, and I always have. You're the one I want. Not all those other girls. They were just distractions. I want you. Only you.”
I whispered in his ear, “You're the one I want too, I always have. Even when I was with Jamison I knew I still liked you. I just never said anything. I love you, Luke.”
And with that Luke kissed me, very passionately. His lips were warm and soft. They parted slightly, allowing my tongue to slip in and explore. I had never kissed anyone like this before. It was sweet and romantic. I didn’t want it to end.
“Piper, I want to make this work, us work,” Luke stuttered, pulling away. “Piper will you be my girlfriend?”
“I’d thought you never ask,” I said, wrapping my hands around his neck.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he smirked.
“Mmmmhmmm, I'll take it as a no,” I said sarcastically.
“Too late. I already bought the bracelet and I'm already here,” Luke chuckled.
“Okay, I have to go take a shower. I just came back from dance and I’m all sweaty,” I said, pulling away.
“I think you look gorgeous.” He said, collapsing on my bed and stretching out. “By the way, my mom is at dinner with your parents.”
“What? How long have you been here?” I asked, getting sweatpants and a tank top from my dresser.
“Your mom picked us from the airport after she dropped you off from dance. I came here and surprised Wake. We hung out for a while, then I came into your room and waited for you. That’s when I found the photo book.”
“So you just walked into my room?” I asked turning on my bathroom light.
“No, your mom brought me up here. I'm staying in your room on a blow up mattress and my mom is staying in the guest bedroom.”
“Great, you probably talk in your sleep or worse…. snore.” I said closing the bathroom door. “Wait! I can’t believe my dad agreed to you staying in my room. Are you sure about that?”
“Trust me. Your mom gave me the full talk and I’m sure Grant will too when I see him. ‘Six feet apart and all that’...” Luke said.
“I heard that!” I yelled from the bathroom. I turned on the shower and my music. The warm water felt so good on my skin while thoughts of Luke were racing through my mind. Did Luke actually say he wants me, and did he ask me to be my girlfriend?
My dream is actually coming true, the only person I have ever truly loved is Luke. After my shower I changed and brushed my teeth and hair, and did my skin care. I opened the door to see Luke still laying on my bed and the air mattress blown up on my floor.
