I glanced up and down the street, much like my father had earlier. It didn't take long to spot Luke.

He was a good ways away, but he wasn't walking, only standing on the sidewalk. It took me a moment to realize he was watching my house, probably wondering if I had retreated back there. Was he planning to knock on the door? I didn't think so, but the thought gave me chills anyways.

"Luke!" I called out, minding the step down from Kota's doorstep. It was odd trying to estimate where my foot would land when I couldn't see it. Often times it made me feel and seem clumsy.

Luke glanced in my direction, surprised. Too nervous to call out again, I put a little extra weight into each step. My bare feet slapped against the concrete sidewalk as I sped up.

"Sang?" Luke whispered, looking a little to the right of my face.

I used two fingers to turn his head so he was looking at me, giggling nervously at the awkwardness. "Yup," I squeaked.

Silence. It took me a moment to understand why. Then I saw his expression.

I had upset him.

I braced myself for his anger, but it never came. Just silence.

"Luke?" I asked, my voice small. "Are you okay?"

His eyebrows arched, surprised. "Am I okay? I should be asking you that! I thought you had run home and got caught or something." He paused, watching me, looking at me as if he could see me. I knew he couldn't, but I could pretend. "Why didn't you say anything? Now everyone thinks I'm crazy."

I had been expecting this. He didn't sound angry or look angry, but his words were angry. He was angry.

And for the first time ever, I thought I was too.

"Why didn't I speak?" I scoffed, surprised at myself. I wasn't an angry person. Not even my family could make me angry. But here I was, mad at a practical stranger! Was it because he was a stranger? Or was it because he was... safe. Why did this feel safe? Accusing him? "You dragged me in there and gave me no warning! No, 'so this is the 'plan.' I've never spoken to anyone outside of my family, especially not invisible. Being outside of the house with you is out of my comfort zone enough!"

By the time I had finished I was sniffling, trying not to tear up. I wasn't mad. I was lonely, and I was already losing my first friend.

No. Actually, I was mad. But not at Luke. I was mad at myself.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, wiping away the moisture beneath my eyes. "I'm being dramatic."

Luke, who had been stunned by my outburst, surprised me by pulling me in for a clumsy hug, resting his chin on my head. "No you're not."

I pulled back, confused. "I'm not what? Sorry?"

"No, dramatic." Luke grinned. "But you aren't sorry either, Cupcake."

My mouth popped open. "Excuse me?"

And just like that we fell back into the playful banter I had grown to love.

"I can be sorry if I want to be!"

"Says who? I say you can't be sorry."

"And why is that?" I asked smiling.

He didn't smile back. "Because I'm sorry." As if he could see me as I opened my mouth to speak, he continued, "Wait! Let me finish. You weren't wrong. I pushed you too far. I was stupid. I won't do that again. We do this at your pace."

Tears pricked at my eyes once more. What could I say to that?

"Next time I'm being too hard on you, pinch me. Then I'll really look crazy." He winked, and I snorted. It wasn't an attractive sound, but somehow it made Luke smile wider.

Luke flopped down right where he was, laying back so his upper body was in the grass. I wasn't sure we were allowed to be lounging on some stranger's yard, but Luke patted the ground next to himself.

Hesitantly, I joined him.

We sat in silence for a while, until my curiosity got the best of me. "Hey Luke?"

"Yeah Cupcake?"

I rolled my eyes at the nickname. Was he really going to keep that up? "Why didn't your friends follow you out?" It was a question that had been on my mind since the moment I walked out the door. Either my books glorified friendship, or his friends weren't treating him like they should.

To my surprise, he only chuckled. "I don't get mad at my friends often, but they know how to handle me when I get upset. Usually, that's by giving me space until I come to my senses. We're sorta like a family."

I frowned. "I guess that's logical."

"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?"

I shrugged, running my hands through the grass, turning my head to watch as an ant climbed over my thumb. "I thought friends were supposed to be there for you. Always."

More silence. Luke was usually so silly and happy that during moments like this, he almost felt like a completely different person.

"Friends are supposed to be like that, but usually, they aren't."

I held my breath, not wanting to miss whatever he said next.

"But family is. Family is always there for you- even when you don't see eye to eye. My family is there for me too. It's like I said- I needed some space because I was upset, and because they care, they gave me that space."

I bit my lip against another random wave of tears. Why was I crying so often? And why right this moment? "Family sounds lovely," I whispered, voice cracking.

I could feel the weight of his gaze on my back, making me shiver. "Sang?"

"Mhmm?"

"Those things you call your family- they share your blood. That doesn't make them family. Family is a choice."

"I see," I breathed.

Abruptly, he asked, "Do you want to go back to Kota's?"

I didn't have to think before I spoke. I wanted to see his family. I wanted to know where mine had gone wrong.

"Yes. Please."

~ | A/N |~

I really want to thank everyone who has commented or voted- your support means a lot to me, especially with stories I'm uncertain about like this one.

I want to give a shout out to both berrybeehoney and FeysandLoVer for your wonderful comments. You convinced me to work on this chapter and get it out quickly- which surprisingly few comments have ever inspired me to do. I appreciate your support tons! 💗