a/n: we were ranked #115!!! can I get a hooray?? 😱

*Laurel's P.O.V*
"Let's make a pinky promise for today" I say, raising my pinky finger as we are in the car. "No phone, pictures only. No picking up unless it's a family member, and no texting. Do we have a deal, mr. always-getting-phone-calls-in-the-wrong-moments?"

Luke laughs and agrees, raising his pinky finger and wrapping it around mine.

"Deal, mrs. you-should-get-that" He winks at me and pulls out.

Luke and I first drive to take the ferry towards what then I find out to be Taronga Zoo. And it's beautiful!

"This is awesome! I need to see all the animals" I drag Luke to the first enclosure, even not knowing what animal is there.

"These are the famous koalas" He chuckles while I stare mesmerized at the little gray bear standing in front of me.

"They are so cute!" I smile. "Although I've heard they can rip your arm off if you try to steal their eucalyptus leaves."

"Where did you hear that?"

"Animal Planet" I shrug. "I was like 10, maybe 12, and I dreamed of being a biologist."

"Math is better."

"Shut up"

We walk around the zoo and I get to meet that tree-kangaroo and the platypus. I sort of got too excited about the platypus even though I thought the kangaroo would be way cooler.

I take several pictures with Luke and change my lock screen background to one of them. I wanted to stay all they with the platypus but Luke drags me to another enclosure.

"Now we're gonna see my favorite animal." He says as we walk towards the cutest beings ever.

"They're little penguins!" I chuckle.

"Yeah, that's their name. I love penguins, you know" A childish grin crosses his face.

"Actually their name is" I furrow my eyebrows when I take a look at the information board "Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae"

"I'm sticking to little penguins" He pulls my hand.

After visiting a few more enclosures we stop to eat. Luke ends up ordering a vegemite sandwich - ew.

We leave Taronga Zoo at about 3pm. Luke drives to Martin Place holding my hand as we walk through it. He stops at some place called Lindt Chocolate Café.

"There was a shooting in here" He tells me as we come inside. "2014. 3 deaths"

"You weren't here at the time, were you?" I ask, feeling the heavy atmosphere of the place.

"No, I was touring. But even so, I got really touched by it, this is home, you know?"

"I understand"

I've never been comfortable with the idea of death; thank God my family hasn't gone through many rough times when it comes to this matter. I consider myself extremely weak for not dealing well with it even though I've been a grown up for quite some time now.

And for some reason, I feel that Luke struggles with the same thing when I touch his hand and he squeezes it lightly, taking a deep breath while closing his eyes.

So we drop the subject; after all today is a great day, it's about having a good time with each other.

Leaving Martin Place Luke drives to another beach. The journey takes about forty minutes so I assume this isn't exactly in Sydney.

We hop out the car. The beach is pretty empty, only a few people walking by the sea. The sun is almost setting and Luke takes me by the hand to what seems to be a gazebo made of rocks, where we take a seat side by side, watching as the waves crash and the seagulls make their... sound.

"How is everything going with Austin?" Luke asks me out of the blue and I look at him, surprised.

"That's actually the first time you say his name" I beam. "And it's good, I guess."

"Are you in love with him?"

"No, Luke. Not with him"

He turns to face me and I blush, tugging my hair behind my ear, avoiding eye contact.

"Did you break up with him?"

"It's not like we've ever had something solid, but yes, I did. We remain friends, though, he's a great gu-"

Before I know it Luke attacks my lips with his, hands on my nape pulling me closer to him. I'm surprised at first but end up kissing him back. His arms travel to my lower back and he pulls me so I'm now sitting on his lap. My arms are around Luke's neck and I honestly could care less about anything else, which makes me extremely frustrated when he pulls away, gazing into my eyes.

"What's going on between us?" He whispers at me, running his thumbs over my cheeks.

"You tell me" I whisper back, breathless.

He opens his mouth to speak. I know what he's gonna say; I've been waiting for so long and it's finally happening. My heart is racing and I feel my whole body shaking in expectation.

Expectation over something that doesn't come.

Suddenly Luke smirks and places a peck on my lips, making a move to stand up. I follow his lead, unbelieving, disappointed.

"We should go. ACDC waits for us in less than 6 hours."

I nod and we go back to the car. Luke drives us home and we greet his parents.

"Luke told me you guys are going to ACDC live today!" Andrew begins, smiling at me.

"She prefers Brian, dad" Luke says as he goes upstairs.

"Really? Laurel, how you disappoint me" He playfully shakes his head.

"Don't get me wrong," I giggle. "Bon is a great singer. But I feel like Brian's voice is just so much more... powerful, I guess that's the word. Why won't you come with us?"

"Oh, Liz and I would love to," He sighs, heading to the kitchen. "but unfortunately we've got dinner at a friend's and we can't cancel it. But you two go and have fun so you can tell me about it later."

I nod and go to my room ready to take a shower. No need to say I put my ACDC black shirt on, the same one I was with at 5SOS' concert in Charlotte, black boots and jeans. I apply mascara and a lipstick just so I don't go as freaking Casper and get out of the room. Luke is already waiting for me in the living room, watching tv.

Andrew and Liz leave the house before we do. They ask us to lock everything before we go out and we wish them fun and a good night. When it's time to go, Luke stands up.

"Did you enjoy the day?" He asks me with his hand on my thigh.

"Of course. It was one amazing first date" I smile, still a little upset about the beach.

It's not like it's Luke's fault, I get it; but I can't help feeling worthless and not good enough. He knows what I meant when I said it isn't Austin I'm in love with and still, he seems to enjoy playing with my feelings, calling me to dates that never appear to actually matter for him.

"You're quiet, what's wrong?" Luke interrupts my thoughts.

"Oh, I'm just so excited I can barely talk" It's not entirely true but I really am excited as hell; it's freaking ACDC, holy crap!

Luke got us special tickets - the perks of being famous - and we can enjoy and follow the entire concert perfectly. It wasn't from a specific album so they perform lots different successes, such as Highway To Hell, You Shook Me All Night Long, Back in Black, Can't Stop Rock 'n Roll, TNT and my favorite one, Thunderstruck.

I swear I'm about to ruin my vocal chords because I'm singing so much that Luke needs to call my name thrice until I finally realize he's trying to talk to me.

"Sorry, this is just amazing!" I say, turning back to the stage.

"It's okay, but what I need to tell you, it can't wait." He says, capturing my attention. "Remember when I asked what's going on between us?"

"Yeah."

"So, I do realize now. You're in love with me, aren't you?"

Whoa, Nobel prize goes out to Luke Hemmings.

"Do I need to answer? I know you don't feel the same, Luke, and that's okay" I reply, trying to hold back my tears.

I can't believe the whole thing is going to be ruined right now. He took me to all those incredible places to finish me off once and for all.

"Who says I don't?"

...or not.

"What do you mean?" Now I really don't care about Thunderstruck anymore, or anything else. I just need to pay attention to Luke.

"I needed to be sure, I don't exactly open up to most people but I am easily attracted. I can't lie about being completely attracted since minute one to you, that's a fact. But I had to know if there was more than simple attraction. Which is basically what keeps the spark between Amanda and I. Or kept."

Holy Jesus.

"Now I'm sure. Laurel, I am in love with you." Luke is shouting due to the loud noises from the concert, but I'm not able to listen to anything other than his voice right now. "My family loves you, my friends, even the fans. I love it how you kept us in secret without even questioning for a very long time. I know Amanda was mean to you and you handled it perfectly. You're discreet, nobody knew about our relationship before the paparazzi. I never thought I would ever meet someone who's good to me even across the country like you always were."

Again, holy Jesus.

"I'm tired of yelling," He jokes. "so I'm just gonna finish this. Laurel, what I'm trying to say is that I need you, with me. Will you be my girlfriend?"

I guess my answer is pretty obvious.

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Yay, it finally happened! What we've been waiting for the entire chapters, it's finally here! How are things going to be from now on? Comment, and don't forget to vote and share if you like it.

More updates tomorrow! I hope you enjoyed it! Stay beautiful 💗 xo