make sure to read the author's note by the end of the chapter!

*Luke's P.O.V*
May 13th

We land in San Francisco by midday and our first interview is at 4pm. Honestly, I'm tired as shit, I've got dark circles around my eyes, my hair is a mess and all those personal questions are pissing me off. I mean, more than usual.

Laurel is acting weird lately, but I don't think that's a bad thing considering what I'm doing; the more she stays away from me the more people will actually believe there's nothing about us, so there won't be any harassing, any humiliation for her.

This is breaking my heart, though.

"Hey, Luke" calls Ashton. "Since we're staying for a week, why don't we go see Laurel?"

I hem, looking to both sides. Jeff, one of our bodyguards, is walking ahead of us to clear the way.

"We can't, she's not in town" I lie.

Michael glances at me furrowing his eyebrows, and I shrug.

I know we should be together on our 'anniversary' thing, I really did want to be with her but, hey, how would anyone believe me when I say I'm not dating a girl who just moved to San Francisco if I get to see her right after I assured so?

"Oh, that's bad" Calum sorrows. "I wanted to see her, you know, the last time she was laying on a hospital bed full of cuts and bruises"

"I know, it sucks," I agree. "but she's okay, almost in perfect state."

We head to our hotel to have lunch and then brace ourselves for the interview, this time on TV. Before we go on air I text Laurel.

miss u

I sit down staring directly at my phone, waiting for her to answer. She doesn't even read it.

"Mr. Hemmings, 1 minute" A guy walks hurriedly through me. I sigh, nodding as I stand up.

"Here we go" I stop next to Calum, waiting for our cue.

The interview is good at first, the presenter is talking strictly about business: the songs about our newest album, possible music videos, awards and even how it is working on the studio. This kind of interview is ideal one, I guess, it allows me to chill.

However, it doesn't sell as much as gossiping.

"So, we all know musicians need inspiration to write their songs" The host begins, holding a copy of the CD for the camera. "This new album of yours has very good lyrics, from sad to extremely romantic ones. Would you guys say any of you were going through a tough phase?"

"I was feeling a little unmotivated with things in general, actually" Responds Calum. "But I guess we all feel like that sometimes."

"I think that's exactly why music can connect people" I add. "Through music it's like someone is telling you hey, you're not alone, we feel like that too"

The host nods.

"Speaking of which, are you in love Luke?"

My jaw drops.

"That's not even a way of approaching the subject, we weren't talking about it" I scoff.

"I know, but I guess we are all curious."

I glance at Michael, and then at the audience. I'm nervous, I really don't know what to say without sounding rude.

"I'm in love with music" I joke.

The host raises an eyebrow.

"Oh, c'mon Luke, we are all friends in here. Who's that Laurel everyone is claiming to be your girlfriend? Is she your inspiration?"

"Oh, please. Inspiration comes in many ways, even pizza made it once" I avoid the question; Ashton chuckles.

I know that he is going to push me, I can feel it; he's not gonna quit. I'm preparing a well-formulated answer when Michael speaks up.

"I really don't know why everyone is concerned about Luke's love life" He smirks. "I mean, I am the ladies guy."

The host's attention turns to him, and he saved my ass again.

I've said it before but here we go: Mikey, I love you.

Luckily the interview goes by and any other questions about my personal life pop up, except the ones I needed to answer for this weird quiz.

Work done, we head back to the hotel. I check my phone to see if there are any messages from Laurel.

There isn't.

I consider going to her apartment and knocking on her door to know what's going on; however I remind myself that she's got work, and she has to study for college, so it's not like it's unexpected that she takes long to reply.

Maybe I'm just missing her more than usual, too.

The show goes on TV by 8pm, so the dudes and I decide that we're gonna watch it at the hotel, together, while we have hamburger for dinner.

Ashton gets cup noodles, though.

We are all at Michael's messy room, laughing and commenting about each other on the tv.

"Look at Ashton's face" Calum mocks.

"Mine? Look at yours!" He snaps, and we all laugh.

I wonder if Laurel is watching it, and to be honest I hope she isn't.

I start analyzing myself. God, I'm such a terrible liar. When the host tries ripping the information off me I can't exactly omit it, there's something wrong with me, everyone can tell. I look so weird unable to stare at one spot, blinking like crazy and moving my leg compulsively.

Not even two minutes after the show is over my phone rings untiringly inside my pocket. My friends look at me, and then down at my phone, now in my hands.

We stare at it for a couple seconds.

"Dude" Michael breaks the silence. "You better pick up"

I slide my finger through the screen.

"Hi, babe" I greet Laurel with a smile, relieved to finally be talking to her.

"Hey" She replies. "Just watched you on TV. Why didn't you tell me you'd be on the show?"

Oh shit.

"I didn't even know I was going to until yesterday" I laugh embarrassedly. "So, um, did you... did you watch it?"

"Yeah, I did. I really did like that part when you pretended you didn't even know who I was. Oh, and that other one when Calum said you guys are staying here in San Fran for a week. This one was pretty interesting."

I cough, feeling the beginning of a headache. I glance at Ashton, Calum and Michael and I know they are paying attention to the call even though they don't seem to. So I stand up, heading to my room.

"Just a sec" I tell Laurel. She groans.

I close Michael's door, striding back to mine. When I get there I throw myself in bed to start talking again.

"Hey. I was just heading to my room, sorry" I apologize. "Hey, I passed through this really cool store earlier today and--"

"Luke, don't change the subject, please." She cuts me off. "Why are you doing this? Why don't you wanna see me? Why do you lie and lie and lie to me when we promised we were gonna make our relationship everything but a lie? It even looks like you don't love me anymore!"

I laugh, sarcastically.

"My love for you gets bigger and bigger every single day, and believe me, I really wanted to be with you right now, but I can't" I admit.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't want anyone harassing you, or bothering and disturbing you because of me!"

Laurel remains quiet for a moment.

"I've told you this multiple times. I don't give a shit! I don't care if they want to stalk me, I love you and I'm not ashamed of it. When I said yes to being your girlfriend I was well aware of all the consequences it came with" She explains.

"You don't know what you're saying, Laurel" I retort. "They can ruin your life, believe me. And I'm not gonna let them do this to you, you're so much better than that."

"Baby, listen. I don't want you to lie because of me. I really don't. How far would you take this? What if, I don't know, you got married? Would you keep lying that you don't have a wife? You'd hide her from the world? What about your children? This is insane, it simply doesn't work! Please honey, don't lie. I don't care if they know who I am, as long as they know that I'm a lucky woman who got the chance to be your girlfriend."

"When you talk like that it sounds like you wanna get famous at my expense." I mumble.

"What the hell?!" She hisses. "Are you serious?"

Unfortunately, her speech added to Amanda's made the thought cross my mind, yes.

"No, I'm just upset." I sigh. "I was just trying to protect you. I'd like you to understand that."

"But I do! All I'm saying is that you don't have to do it anymore, it's fine by me, they can harass me as long as they want to, all I care about is being with you... Please, can we see each other on the 16th?"

I take a deep breath, massaging my temple.

"I really can't, even though we're staying for a week and not a couple days like I told you we have business every day. But on your birthday I promise that I'll be here," I explain. "and we are gonna celebrate together, okay?"

"Oh..." Laurel seems upset. "Sure, if you're saying... If you have any free time, please call me so we can meet, alright?"

"I will" I smile. "I love you baby girl. And I miss you like hell."

"I love you too, ocean eyes."

I try holding back but end up exploding in laughter. Laurel does the same.

"Ocean eyes?" She laughs at herself. "Seriously, Laurel? That's the best you can do?!"

"That was terrible" I laugh, imagining her cheeks burning red. "You should try something else"

"I'm the worst with pet names and stuff" She admits. "I'll try thinking about something original. Anyway, I gotta go. Love you, Luke."

"Love you, Laurel."

When we hang up, I'm feeling alive again. I smile to myself, staring at the ceiling. In the beginning, I thought I was doing the right thing by hiding Laurel from the world, but I didn't realize how it was suffocating me. I still need to figure out if telling the truth is what I must do, but I am most definitely considering it.

Which is more than I could have said forty minutes ago.

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Eyyyy, finally updated after two days!! School is killing me, I had a math test today and I was studying very hard for it. I did well, thank the Lord!

I got a message today from jackandjack22, they were talking about an award they have which you can nominate your favorite authors, books and etc, and it would be amazing if I could get nominated! So if you think I deserve Best Luke Hemmings Fanfiction, Best Luke Hemmings Account or whichever category else, please go on their page and nominate me! Don't forget to read the instructions before you do so!

That's it, babes! Updating again soon, thank you for giving this book so much love! Stay beautiful 💗 xo