ARI.

Thursday afternoon had rolled around and before I knew it, it was time to get ready for my mom's dinner party. Honestly, I was just planning on wearing the same clothes I had on at school but to my mother's dismay, a pair of skinny jeans and a band tee-shirt wasn't going to cut it. So that's how I found myself sitting at my vanity with a towel wrapped around my body, my hair dripping wet, as my sister placed makeup on my face. 

"Is he answering?" Mia asked, gesturing for the phone in my hand with the makeup brush she was holding. 

I shook my head, "nope. He hasn't answered any of my phone calls or texts. Neither has Mrs. Hemmings." 

"I'm sure they're fine Ari," Mia assured me with a smile, as she continued brushing blush on my cheeks. "Leave it alone for now. You'll see him tomorrow at school." 

"I guess you're right," I sighed, admitting defeat and placing my phone onto the table top. 

I closed my eyes as Mia brushed some eyeshadow onto my lids, my thoughts mindlessly drifting to Luke who had been missing from school since Tuesday. He missed a really big Biology exam and although I was slated to have a Math quiz today, Mrs. Hemmings wasn't there. Neither Luke nor his mother have been answering any of my calls, which worried me to no end. I hoped that the dinner party didn't go on too long so I could drop by their house afterwards.

"So what's up with you and Luke?" Mia questioned, wiggling her perfectly arched eyebrows with playfulness. She sauntered over to my closet and rummaged through the clothing. I stood up and pulled open one of my dresser drawers and took out some intimate wear. 

"Its not like that Ate, I promise. Luke and I are just friends. He's a pretty chill guy," I described, dropping my towel to the floor and slipping on a pair of panties. 

(translation: older sister)

"You'll tell me if something happens between the two of you right baby sister?" Mia grabbed the bra in my hand and unhooked the straps and I gazed at her a with a quizzical expression. "You're wearing the strapless summer dress I bought you." 

"Of course you would choose that one," I predicted, putting on the bra. "And yes, I'll tell you if anything happens. Which won't because one, I don't see Luke like that. And two, he doesn't see me like that. I'm clearly not his type." 

"And what type is that?" Mia questioned, throwing me the burgundy dress at me. "Ugly?" 

I let out a laugh, slipping on the dress that fell above my knee, "more like tall, beautiful, blonde. Or Hayley Williams from Paramore." 

Mia scoffed at my words, "who doesn't have a crush on Hayley Williams? Anyway, you look beautiful my sister. Just blow-dry your hair and you're good to go." 

I looked at myself in the mirror, quite pleased with Mia's artwork. Simple, yet cute makeup and the dress complimented me well. Sweetheart bodice with a bow at the back, and the bottom of the dress flared out, landing above my knee. 

"Thanks, now mom can't say anything about my appearance," I chuckled, as Mia started for the door. I glanced over at the clock, noticing that I had about an hour left till our guests would be arriving. In addition to my mom's coworkers, neighborhood friends, and family, Ashton, Michael and Calum's mothers would be attending as well. 

At around 7PM, the first round of guests began showing up at our front doorstep. Holding onto trays of homemade food, I relished in the mouthwatering scents that harbored in the kitchen. I heard another doorbell and I ran for the door, swinging it wide open to see the happy smiles of my best friends. 

"Quiroz!" Michael yelled, walking passed me and into the house.

"Hi Mrs. Clifford," I greeted, pulling in Michael's mom for a hug. The embrace was followed by more hugs from Mrs. Irwin and Mrs. Hood, respectively. I escorted the Aussie mothers to the kitchen where my mom and all the other middle-aged women, giggled and traded stories. 

"Ah you made it!" Mom cheered, giving the ladies a one-armed hug while her other hand was clutching onto a glass of wine. "Everyone grab a plate, pile on some food and let's head outside to eat. All the tables and chairs are set up out on the back porch." 

"Don't have to tell us twice," Calum stated, darting for the stack of paper plates. 

I felt a nudge on side and turned to find Ashton, "hey, where's your sister?" 

I shot him a jaded expression, "really Ash? You're here for less than ten minutes and you already want to woo my sister?" 

Ashton shrugged as if his motives were totally acceptable, "what? I haven't seen her in ages and I ju-- holy shit." 

I furrowed my eyebrows, as I followed my best friend's vision. I turned my head to, of course, see my sister walking around the corner in a floral, tight-fitted, quarter-sleeve bodycon dress. She looked hot as ever, and not trying to place Ashton in a league of his own, but I wondered if my sister would go for the dimpled, high school senior. 

"Hey guys, I haven't see you all in such a long time," Mia noted, giving each of my friends a hug. When she got to Ashton, she gave him a smile before complimenting his outfit, "I like your Cobain shirt." 

Mia walked away and greeted the other guests before Ashton looked at me with eyes wide open, "she said she liked my Cobain shirt. I just wanna write a song." 

I playfully pushed him, laughing at his expense. As soon as everyone grabbed their food, they made their way to the back porch, sitting in the the several round tables and chairs that Mia and I set up earlier today. After filling up my play with the variety of food laid out like a buffet, the doorbell rang. Setting my plate down on the table, I rushed to the door. 

"Luke! Oh my God!" I shrieked, lurching forward and wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Hey Ari," he chuckled softly, his arms around my waist. I pulled away from him, smiling at his unexpected presence, but in realization that Luke had failed to answer any of my phone calls or texts, I smacked him. 

"What the hell Hemmings?!" I punched Luke in the chest, who cowered and shielded himself with his arms. 

"Ari! Stop! Why are you hitting me?!" Luke yelled.

"Why haven't you been answering any of my phone calls or texts? Your mom has been missing from school too! I was worried!" my voice cracked, and I had no idea why my body wanted to whimper. 

"Ari hey, stop yelling. I'm sorry, but needed to handle things at home. Both my mom and I needed a breather," Luke explained, fidgeting with the hemline of his flannel. 

"Is that all you're going to say? You needed a breather? Can I get a little more out of you?" I earnestly asked. 

Luke let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck, "my house was trashed." 

"What?" I gasped, stepping closer to him. 

"It was trashed," Luke repeated with a shrug, "I came home Monday night to see that several of the windows were broken, the garage and walls were graffitied. My mum was sitting inside crying with some police officers." 

"My god," I breathed, and the edge I previously had disappeared and instead concern replaced it. "Luke, I'm so sorry to hear that. Who would do such a thing?" 

"Who do you think? Who are the two people I pissed off the most?" Luke hinted, and instantly I knew.

"Jake and Katie did it?" 

Luke nodded, "most likely, yea." 

"Lucas," I pulled him into a tight hug, standing on the tip of my toes to rest my chin on his shoulder. "Please let me know if you and your mom need anything, alright? I'm here for you. No half-assed friendships, remember?" 

"I remember," Luke smiled, pulling away from the hug. "Thank you so much Ari. I appreciate it. But can we drop the subject please? I wanna think about happier things, and I'm also hungry." 

"Of course you are," I laughed loudly, grabbing Luke by the hand and dragging him inside the house, "let's get you some food. Everyone else is outside in the backyard." 

Dinner was better. Much better. The conversations we had over our food and dessert was nothing short of joy. Laughter consumed as all, throwing our heads back with side-splitting giggles as we traded goofy stories and jokes. Luke sat across from me, joining in the conversation with ease. From the corner of my eye I could see Ashton work his so-called Irwin-magic on my sister, and surprisingly, it seemed like it was working. 

My mother and her friends were loud as fúck. They acted like a bunch of teenaged girls but it was cute. When they all filtered inside to drink wine and continue their conversations about Zumba classes and Mark Ruffalo, the boys, Mia and I sat around the bonfire pit making s'mores. 

"...and that's how I ended up spraining my elbow on my tenth birthday," Luke finished, the lot of us cackling at his crazy story.

"Speaking of birthdays," Mia began, raising a brow in my direction and I already knew where she was going with all of this. "Can you all please convince Ari to have a Debut?" 

"Oh yea, like the Filipino sweet 16 right?" Calum mentioned, slathering his melted marshmallow on top of the chocolate and graham crackers on his lap. 

"You don't understand how much money it costs to have one of these things. Plus I'd need a cotillion court. Where am I going to find nine boy and nine girls who are willing to dance? Plus an escort?" I quipped, maneuvering my arms in emphasis. 

"Ari, you have friends, myself, and all of our cousins. You have five months till your 18th birthday. We can make this work," Mia persuaded, trying to sway my mind. 

"Yea, we'll be in your court," Michael agreed. 

"I'm up for that," Ashton chimed in, looking over to Mia, "I can be a great partner," he winked at my sister, who looked away with flushed cheeks. 

"And I can be your escort," Luke suddenly broadcasted, causing all of our attentions to shift towards the boy with the quiff. Luke glanced at me and gave me a small smile.

"There you have it," Mia whooped, gesturing for Luke, "he's down to be your escort. What do you say Ari? Have a debut!" 

"Come on, I'll help you with everything," Luke said, only loud enough so I could hear. He looked at me with his bright blue eyes, which were gleaming from the flickering of the bonfire's flames. I held onto his gaze for several moments, feeling happy to have supportive friends. 

"Okay," I finally agreed, "I'll do it. I'll have the damn party." 

"Yes! Oh my gosh!" Mia cheered, standing up from her chair and giving me a very tight hug. I giggled into the crook of her neck, feeling the excitement that radiated off of her body. "We have to make Pinterest accounts to get design and dress inspirations!"

"Ugh why don't you get those accounts. I trust you... I think," I eyed my sister suspiciously, seeing the pure enthusiasm in Mia's eyes with the thought of planning such an extravagant soiree. Planning was my sister's forte and I wasn't sure yet if handing her the reigns was a good thing or a bad thing. 

"Michael Clifford! Let's go home! It's a school night!" Mrs. Clifford stood with her head out of the sliding glass door, waving her hand.

"Yes mum!" Michael yelled back. He turned back to us, "gotta go guys. See ya at school!"

"Calum Hood, time to go!" Mrs. Hood yelled, wavering her arm for Calum to join her. 

"See you guys tomorrow," Calum stood up from the chair and followed Michael to the sliding door. 

"Ashton! Come--"

"Mum, I do what I want I'm punk rock!" Ashton sassed, chuckling, quite pleased with his retort.

"Ashton Fletcher Irwin! You get your arse inside right now young man and take me home, otherwise your drum kit is going in the ocean!" Mrs. Irwin angrily scolded.

"Fletcher?" Luke bursted into laughter, earning a scowl from Ashton. 

"Shut the fúck up Hemmings!" Ashton growled, standing up. He turned to Mia, who looked up at him with a bemused grin, "I'll see you around Mia." 

"Text me," Mia told him, bidding him a goodbye. 

"I guess I'll head out too then," Luke announced, standing up from the chair. 

"I'll walk you to your car," I offered. I led him through the side gate, unlatching it open. I shivered in the light breeze of the evening and like instinct, Luke draped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer in towards him. I tilted my head up to look at the white boy, and I was sure I had a stupid grin on my face. 

"Enjoying the view? I know I'm sexy," Luke teased, never once looking down at me. I hit his shoulder, pushing him away. 

"You're as sexy as a toaster oven," I joked. 

"Only from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Those are the high class toasters," Luke mused. He grabbed my arm and tugged on it, prompting me to saunter closer to him. 

"What are you doing Lucas?"

"I can't give you a hug Ariane?" 

"Please don't use my full name like that," I shook my head in disapproval. Luke ignored my request and instead forcefully pulled my body against his chest, wrapping his long arms around my torso. He began swaying us back and forth in the middle of the street, beneath the streetlamp that acted like our own spotlight. 

"Are we gonna have to dance like this at your party?" Luke asked. 

I separated slightly from Luke's embrace, and took one of his hands to lace with one of mine. I took the other and placed it on his shoulder.

"Like this," I said, leading Luke in our music-less street waltz.

Luke spun me in a circle, bringing me back in seamlessly and replaced his hand back on my lower back, "what else do we have to dance?" 

"Well, besides the waltz, we get to learn other types of dances too. Like the tango," I paused, dipping Luke in my arms.

"I see that you're the man in this relationship," Luke observed with a laugh, as he lifted himself back up. "What else will be dancing to?" 

"Possibly a lindy-hop swing dance and even hip hop," I informed. "Thanks by the way, for offering to be my escort." 

"It was no problem. Thanks for giving me another chance," he pulled out his keys from his pocket and pressed the button, a beeping sound emitting from his car. Luke opened up his arms again and I stepped into them.

He gives wonderful hugs. 

"I'll see you around Hemmings," 

"Later Quiroz," Luke started his car, the windows rolling down as I heard the tunes of All Time Low's Therapy spilled from the speakers. "Ride or die."

I bit my bottom lip with a grin, "ride or die." 

//

How cute is ARKE??? I loved them dancing in the street-- so cute. But seriously, what douchebags would trash the Hemmings household? So rude, immature, and mean! I really hope you guys liked this chapter. If you do please remember to VOTE, COMMENT, and SHARE! I seriously appreicate it so much. Thank you all for reading my story!! Love you all!! <33