ARI.

Friday evening came faster than I had expected. Figures. When I wanted nothing more than the weekend to come, it seemed like Wednesday and Thursday lasted for more than 24 hours, elongating the week by a landslide. While the majority of civilization looked forward to Friday nights, I was dreading mine because in less than two hours, I was expecting Luke Hemmings to show up at my house for our little "date."

I almost regretted pushing the white boy to go along with his mom's plans but then I remembered the happy look Liz Hemmings had on her face the moment I agreed to let Luke take me out to dinner. I couldn't disappoint her, and I had to keep reminding myself that tonight's play date with Luke was for his mom.

After showering and horribly singing at the top of my lungs to Paramore for several minutes as I blow-dried my hair, I stood in front of my closet looking for something to wear. I actually didn't know where Luke and I were going to eat and I prayed to the restaurant Gods that he wasn't planning on anywhere too trendy or high class. I opted for a pair of dark washed, high waisted skinny jeans and a loose-fitted, white cropped tee-shirt. With some makeup on my face and after deeming myself decent enough to be seen by other humans, I grabbed my purse, letting it hang from my elbow.

From the corner of my eye I noticed a car pull up from the driveway. I peeked closer outside of my window and the moment I did I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket. Without having to look, I already knew it was Luke. I ran down the steps, slipping on my combat boots.

"Anak? Where are you going?"

(translation: child, dear)

I turned my head, seeing my mom enter the foyer from the living room, "I'm going out to dinner with a friend mom. I'll be home later."

"Which friend? Ashton, Michael, Calum?" she asked.

I shook my head, "no, his name is Luke. He's already outside."

"Luke? Anak, sino iyan? Boyfriend mo? Will he be your escort for your debut?" mom questioned, a large grin etched on her face. I groaned, walking towards her.

(translation: child or dear, who is that? your boyfriend?)

"He's just a friend. Not even a friend. Acquaintances really. And I'm not having a debut," I told her.

"Why not? Your sister didn't have one and I've always wanted to throw you one," mom expressed.

I felt a pang of guilt hit my heart, but I couldn't sit and discuss it with her. The idea of a huge coming out party with dancing, dresses, and all the attention on my awkward self was something that did not appeal to me at all.

Another buzz from my pocket.

"Mom I have to go now, I'll see you later," I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"Bye Ari. Ingat," she advised, as I walked out the door and closed it behind me.

(translation: be careful)

Luke sat in his car with his windows rolled down, music playing from his speakers. His eyes were fixated on his the phone in his hand but upon hearing the shuffles of rubber soles to concrete, he looked out the passenger side window.

"Took you long enough," he bellowed.

My eye twitched in annoyance, "I had to say goodbye to my mom, because unlike you I actually respect mine."

He mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't quite understand, but because it was Hemmings I was pretty sure that it was something rude.

I opened the car door and sat inside, taking in the inside of Luke's vehicle. Like his room, it wasn't too messy nor totally clean. There was clear sign of some kind of citrus car freshener lurking on the cushions and a few empty water bottles on the floor. I turned to Luke who wore an outfit similar to what he normally wears-- dockers, collared polo shirt, and leather shoes.

His preppiness gave me a headache.

"So, where are we going for dinner?" I asked.

"We're going to Bandoni's," he answered haphazardly, eyes back on his phone.

I groaned, "really?"

"What? Do you have some kind of vendetta against Italian food?" he exclaimed.

"No, I like Italian, but if we're going to use your mom's money then we might as well go somewhere more worthwhile?" I suggested.

Luke let out an annoyed sighed, "like more expensive? Bandoni's is already pretty pricey."

"No not more expensive you dumbfuck," I declared. It was less than five minutes into this thing and I already wanted to beat him in the head. "Worthwhile... like make each dollar worth something."

"I don't know what you're saying," Luke admitted.

I sat there in silence, contemplating ideas of where we could go. Luke was so much into his reputation that sometimes money consumed him and is what drove him. He seriously needed to learn how to let loose and do things outside of his comfort zone. He was always worried about what people thought of him, that I could smell the anxiousness drip out of his fair skin.

That's when the idea came to me.

"Do you have gas?" I asked.

"Yea. Where are we going? Tijuana?" Luke sarcastically questioned.

I ignored his comment. I was done with his fuckery, "I know a fun place we can go to in Lotus Cove,"

"Lotus Cove? Why all the way there? Can't we do something in town? Isn't that like a college town? We're not in college Quiroz,"

"No shit Sherlock... trust me on this. This place is 10 times better than what Percival Shores has to offer. Besides, just imagine the look on your friends' faces if they catch you having a candlelight dinner with me,"

Luke sat speechless, finally caught in his own game. He glared at me, and though he was silent, admitted defeat. Luke knew I was right. He knew his friends better than I did, and I was sure that his reputation would seriously be on the line even more than it already was if he and I were caught together.

Even if Luke did explain that his mother put him up to it, he'd either have to come up with a lie, or explain to them how this deal came to be in the first place. Then there was also the fact that because we had no chaperone, technically Luke and I could've lied about hanging out. He was in a catch-22 at this point and he knew this.

"Fiiiine," he groaned with an eye roll, "just tell me where to go."

I grinned, "go on the 5-south towards San Diego."

Luke and I sat in silence as he drove on the 5-freeway towards Lotus Cove-- a neighboring city of Percival Shores about 25 minutes out. Even though it was slightly awkward as I rested my elbow on the window sill, looking out the glass, I had to admit that Luke Hemmings had good taste in music. His iPod sat in one of the cup holders, the auxiliary cord attached, as it played a range of rock music. From All Time Low, We The Kings and Mayday Parade, to the classic sounds of Journey, Queen, and Styx, who knew that quiff-boy slayed when it came to his iPod playlists.

"You like the music I play," Luke mentioned, suddenly breaking the quietness between us.

My eyes rolled towards him. He had one hand on the steering wheel and the other on his lap, as he smirked stupidly.

"It doesn't make my ears bleed," I replied, trying to not give him the satisfaction that yes I, Ari Quiroz, has the same music taste as Luke Hemmings.

"So exactly where are we going?" he asked, taking an exit off of the freeway.

"Turn right at the stoplight," I directed, "and you'll see... it's a surprise."

"How cliche,"

"Turn into this parking lot right here... and if I tell you, you're gonna want to turn around,"

Luke parked into an empty space, turning off the car and pulling the key out of the ignition. He looked out the window, examining the vicinity around him. I noticed his eyes widening with wonder, taking in the several lights that decorated the building walls.

"Come on Hemmings," I opened the door, stepping outside.

Immediately the sounds of thumping music filled my ears as several, excited, diverse pupils roamed the downtown area of Lotus Cove. The nightlife in this city was more lively than in our small hometown, mainly because of the college kids that inhabited it. University of California Lotus Cove or UCLC, was only a few miles up the road and downtown never had a dull moment.

"This place is... loud," Luke observed, stuffing his hands into his pant pockets. He looked nervous almost, and if it was even possible, he became more pale. He followed me closely, bumping into me a few times.

"You okay? Or do you just like to hit it from the back?" I mocked, turning to look back at him. Normally he'd have some kind of sassy retort, but it never came.

"Why is everyone staring at me? They're judging, I know they are," he breathed. I could feel his anxiety radiating all around, pinching my own skin with a creeping sting.

I sighed, feeling pity for the tall-ass Aussie,"want to know why I brought you here Luke?"

"So my friends wouldn't catch us together?" he suggested, nervousness still enveloping him.

"No, I ran out of fúcks I could give when it comes to your friends," I sneered.

"If you're going to insult my friends all night then--"

"--I'm sorry," I interrupted. I could see the hurt in his eyes, and how uncomfortable he felt to be somewhere so new. "Look, the reason why I decided we come out here is so you could actually have fun for once? Let loose, step out of the box, share a deep dish pizza with me? This is a college town Luke. Emphasis on the college part. No one here gives any flying fúcks about what you wear, who you hang out with, your sexual orientation... none of that matters here. You may have a reputation back home, but in Lotus Cove, all that flies out the window and all that matters right here and now, is who you are as a person. So calm down, lose the attitude that you're known for, and trust me this time. Can you do that?"

Luke gazed down at me, clearly thinking about how to answer. He looked around, taking in the atmosphere, and noticing the various groups of people that were clustered together. Punks, nerds, jocks all laughing together. Peppy girls mingling with other girls with tattoos and piercings. This was different for Luke, who worked so hard to maintain a reputation only to find out that all his progress meant nothing here. Just when I realized that we were most likely going to turn back and head home to Luke's security of Percival Shores, he proved me wrong.

"I'm down, surprise me,"

//

Oh myyyy! Luke's trusting Ari a little. She knows what she's saying though. High School reps don't mean anything after graduation. Luke needs to learn how to be himself!!

Thanks for reading guys! I seriously appreciate it! Don't forget to vote, comment and tell your friends.

I also decided to dedicate this chapter to MintChipCookie who is the author of Nirvana. Its a great story with so many feels and I recommend it to you all! <33