Lukes POV

The blue chlorinated water engulfed my body as I floated on my back. The suns hot rays hitting my face as I listened to my heavy breathing. The water felt nice, but today I was searching for silence.

Last nights dinner with Oakley was actually pretty amazing. She's someone that you wouldn't expect to be so intriguing, but is. She has a story, just like everyone, but her story- it's intense. She also made me feel like i'm not alone. She made me feel understood, and yeah I love the feeling of that. Although, there was one part of last nights dinner that I hated, and it was the fact that the one thing I had been avoiding for the longest time, the thing that I hate, was actually starting to not sound as bad as I was making myself believe it was, When in reality it is bad.

I slowly began to sink further down, flipping my body so that my stomach was facing the bottom of the pool. I kept my eyes shut as I slowly swam around the pool, kicking my feet and moving my arms. I cut through the water but soon came above, taking in a deep breath and wiping the water from my eyes.

"Luke?" My mother asked as she walked out, she looked nice. In a black dress, her hair all done up.

"Hm?" I asked, looking over at her.

"Why aren't you ready?" She asked, her eyes growing wide.

What was the big deal?

"Because i'm swimming?" Sarcasm slipped from my lips.

"Go get dressed or we'll be late!" She spoke hectically.

"Late for what?"

"You're meeting my new boyfriend, remember?" She asked, looking down at me.

Oh shit. What? When did she get a boyfriend?

"Uh.. yeah, sorry." I spoke, that was a complete lie. I don't remember her mentioning it.

She took a deep breath. "Hurry, please." She sounded stressed as she huffed out a deep breath and walked away.

So much for silence.

-

I walked downstairs. My hair was now dry and up in its usual quiff form. I had a simple button up shirt on, nothing to fancy with a black leather jacket over top and the usual jeans and black shoes. I wasn't to excited about this. Hopefully she didn't like him enough to the point that they got married.

"You look nice honey." My mom spoke, walking up to me and fixing my jacket. "Where are you going?" she asked, a sweet smile curving up on her lips.

I couldn't help but to furrow my eyebrows. What did she mean 'Where are you going'?

"We're going to lunch with your boyfriend, remember?" I asked, very confused. Maybe she was just having a seriously large brain fart. They happened sometimes, a few days ago he was scared that he lost his phone when it was in his hand.

"Oh! Yes, yes. Ah, brain fart." Liz spoke with a smile following, a shade of red formed on her cheeks as the embarrassment of her mistake was hitting her. "Lets go." She spoke, beginning to walk towards the front door

I let out a small laugh, my eyes were still wide with worry, yet I was feeling a bit relieved.

Here we go, meeting new people. It is definitely not my thing.

-

We walked into the restaurant. Classical music was playing just loud enough to be heard. Luke took a deep breath, his stomach twisting with nerves, he wasn't ready for this. He didn't know that his mom had a boyfriend, she had never mentioned him before.

I looked around the restaurant, but my observing was soon cut off by my mom giving a small tug on my arm. I looked at her, then soon began to follow her over to a booth where a brown haired man sat. He had broad shoulders and blue eyes, close to the color of mine. I scooted into the booth while they gave each other hugs and I rolled my eyes. Im glad she's happy but theres something about this man that I already don't like.

"This is my son Luke. Luke, this is my boyfriend Asher." She introduced.

The man held out his hand welcomingly, i shook it and pulled away before looking down at the menu. "it's nice to finally meet you, Luke. Your mom speaks a lot about you." He spoke.

My head popped up "Good things I'm hoping." I commented.

"Yes of course good things, Luke." my mom spoke, looking over.

"So am I just here, or..?" I asked. It was their date, I dont see why i have to be here.

"No, you aren't just here. Asher would like to get to know you better." I looked over at my mom as she spoke and inside I wanted to scream.

"How long have you two been together?" I asked, looking over at her.

"1 year in 2 days, right?" Asher asked, looking over at Liz.

My eyes grew wide at the amount of time they had been dating. "Uh.. can I talk to you for a second?" I asked my mom, giving asher a small smile before looking over at her. She nodded and took a deep breath before getting out of the seat- I followed.

"Why do you look so surprised?" She asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion as she lead me to the small hallway where the bathrooms are.

"Because you haven't mentioned him once!" I exclaimed in a whisper scream.

"I talk about him all of the time, Luke. If you'd listen to me you would've known that he exists." she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You haven't mentioned his name once."

My mom rolled her eyes, "Try listening more often, sweetheart. It helps in life. Now come on, I don't want to keep him waiting and," She pointed a finger at me, looking me right in the eyes "Be nice."

We headed back over to the table and I scooted in. "So almost a year, thats cool." I mumbled, looking down in the menu.

Asher nodded, he looked over at Liz, 'Did I do something wrong?' He mouthed to my mom. I peaked a look at my mom, seeing as she shook her head.

'He's just being stubborn i'm sorry.' She apologized. Thanks mom.

Asher nodded. "So i've heard you like music, Luke." He asked. His voice was deep, and kind of soothing to be honest.

"Mhm," I spoke and sat down the menu down as I did so. I wasn't hungry.

"You sing and play guitar?" He asked. I nodded simply. "Was your dad into music?"

"I'd prefer not talking about my dad." I snapped. "Im sorry." I apologized, noticing the glare my mom was giving me out of the site of my eye.

"What grade are you in?" He asked.

I gulped. He's just on a role with these bad questions, isn't he? "Im a uh, I'm a drop out." I spoke, scratching the back of my neck. "Im not perfect. I was raised by a single mom, and she did a good job but," I shrugged "i'm a depressed boy who wants to be gone, so you can judge me all you want. I'm not changing." I spoke. I needed to get that out. I looked over at my mom who's head was in her hands.

"Ill just leave." I spoke, she looked up at me, shaking her head.

"Luke stop that." She scolded.

"Excuse me, mom." I spoke, standing up. She let out a sigh and scooted out of the booth. I walked out, turning around and facing Asher. "It was nice to meet you." I spoke, turning around and walking outside. The moist, humid air of midday hit my skin as I continued to walk. Home wasn't far from here, Walking wasn't a big deal.

I felt free, like I didn't have to be fake. She probably lied to him, saying that I was a straight A student who's as sweet and as happy as could be, he looked like thats what he was expecting, the shock on his face didn't usually come that shock on everyone else, and my mom seemed embarrassed.

"Hemmings." A voice spoke, stopping at the stop sign. I looked over, an eyebrow raised. I could recognize that blue hair anyways. My heart skipped a beat, remembering the night before.

"Oh, uh hi Oakley." I responded.

"Get in the car dumbass." She joked.

Perfect timing.

IM SO SORRY FOR THE 2 MONTH LATE UPDATE I'VE BEEN VERY BUSY!! I love you guys though! This is a pretty important chapter! I hope you enjoyed it :) -Kirsten (*cough* to lazy to proof read it oops *cough*)