LUKE WATCHED as the candle flame danced back and forth. His eyes darting from Lennon and the cupcake.
no

He hadn't expected anything from her as he didn't even know until minutes ago that he was coming here.

He took a couple of small steps forward, the unfamiliar song still playing in the background as he blew the candle out gently.

She gave him a small smile and sat the cupcake down on the table.

Her messy bun, now flopped to the side, cupcake batter all over the kitchen island, the bits of dried frosting on her face from trying to wipe the previous stains also on her face.

"Thank you."

She gave him a soft nod. She was scared to start a conversation with him. Things were different. They both knew that.

Luke knew he was an idiot leaving Lennon alone with Carrie in the gym to literally cry in her arms. Luke knew he was an idiot leaving Lennon alone without telling her how he felt, knowing that she said she liked him.

He left her to deal with her emotions with Carrie.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

It was obvious what he was asking. No dodging around it either.

"You're dead." She sighed, "I thought that if I kept the secret longer the feelings would go away. I also just didn't know what you would do."

If Luke chose to remember one thing Alex had told him was, "it's okay to like people fast", he remembered it because he was going through it.

Luke in the nineties was able to get around. He never had a solid relationship. He liked the affection and whatever came with a relationship but it was hard for him to settle down. He could remember the times he did have the opportunities to settle down at that was great. The time of his life, but once Sunset Curve became his number one priority, it became harder for him to settle down with said person.

Whatever he had with Lennon was different. Soulmate or not he cared about her whether she knew that or not.

"Last night, you said you liked me."

"I did say that, didn't I? Well, I do. It's okay if you don't."

"But I do." Luke reassured, "I really like you, Lennon."

Lennon on the other hand was a little different. Of course, she had crushes. Of course, she liked people. Lennon didn't hop from person to person. Lennon barely left the house unless she needed to. These past couple of weeks is probably the most she's been out. Telling Luke Patterson that she liked him was a huge step for her. She was proud that she did it, not so proud about how that came about.

She let out a breathy laugh, "That great... sorta."

"Sorta?"

"What happens now? Tell me what happens right here, right now."

This was a new experience for the both of them, would be shocking if this had happened before? There wasn't much the two of them could do. Luke could tell the girl anything and she would probably go with it.

Luke smiled as he held his hand in the air. He knew Lennon was feeling off. He couldn't pinpoint what emotions she was giving off but it was obvious that she truly hadn't forgiven herself for what she did.

She kept her arms tucked around her waist. No sign of her moving to do the same actions as him.

"Come on, you know Casper hand thing is our forever thing." Luke said.

"Are we good?" She asked, "You're not upset with me anymore?"

"I wasn't upset with you in the first place, Lennon. You kept this to yourself for a reason, right? You said you were scared and I get that."

"I just need you to know that I didn't want any of that to hurt you. I'm sorry that I did it."

Luke let his hand fall. He took his hands and rest them on the counter. If he could touch her, she wouldn't be able to easily escape. He tilted his head down and smiled.

"Stop apologizing. I know you're sorry and I know you didn't want to hurt me. I wasn't hurt. I'm here now and I'm fine. We're fine."

"Promise?" She held her hand up, they couldn't pinky promise. The Casper hand thing would be the next step for them.

"Promise."

He returned the action. His hand going straight through hers but just like the first night doing so, a shock went through both of their hands.

The two of them quickly drew back their hands back.

"Why does that happen?" Luke asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

Lennon shook her hand softly and brought her full attention back to the cupcakes she had to get ready to sell for tonight.

"Julie and the band are performing tonight. You should come."

"I know, I saw the list. I work there. That's what the cupcakes are for. I'll be there all night."

Luke watched as she placed a lid over the cupcakes, securing their safety.

"You forgot one."

She looked over at the cupcake that Luke blew out. She grabbed it once again and faced him.

"This is yours. Good for a year until the fondant expires."

Luke smiled and took the cupcake from her.

He was getting better at holding things that weren't his. For example, doors were easier to open if he wanted to use them.

As he looked at the cupcake, he began to think about what he had asked Caleb the night before. If he and Lennon were soulmates, how come the two of them couldn't touch?

Lennon was connected to Luke and, at this point, it was obvious to Julie, the boys, and Lennon herself. They now knew why, but now he had a dozen new questions that hadn't been answered.

Luke was a touchy person, as established earlier and Lennon's love language ( which Luke still didn't understand fully ) was physical touch. Luke would do anything just to hug the girl.

As his mind ran with new thoughts and questions, he felt another jolt run through his body. He backed away from Lennon who just so happen not to see what had happened.

Luke knew he was going to sound like some type of hypocrite, but until he could figure out where these jolts were coming from and why, he wasn't going to tell Lennon anything. She was already worried that she was going to lose him by telling him that they were soulmates. He didn't want her to worry about anything else. Especially when this possibly couldn't affect her.

He shut his eyes for a moment before opening them again. Lennon's back still facing his way as she cleaned the counter off.

Yeah, this was one thing Luke was gonna keep from Lennon.

- lucy has something to say !!
(word count: 1145 one thousand one hundred four five)

stan reggie peters and alex mercer

that's all

bye :))))