a/n: another the script song because these guys are the love of my life and their songs just go so well with the book!

*Luke's P.O.V*

After what seems an eternity we arrive and I close the door behind me, waiting for Laurel to speak again. She sits on the couch and gently touches the spot next to her, so I could sit too.

"I thought I knew what to say to you right now" She admits, with a sad smile. "I thought it would be like a movie scene, in which I'd have the complete speech and everything would work out the way I want to. But we are not in a movie, are we?"

"I guess not" I reply, adjusting myself on the couch.

She looks up at me and chuckles, wiping her eyes.

"You look different. Why did you decide to shave?"

"I needed a change" I shrug my shoulders, glancing at her. That's when I see the necklace I gave and point at the pendant, "I thought you didn't wear it anymore."

She looks down, holding it between her index finger and thumb.

"Actually I wasn't, because I wanted to forget... but a few days ago I missed everything and, I don't know, since I couldn't reach you in other ways, wearing it seemed the best option. It reminds me of all the good moments we've been through"

"Oh"

The silence fills the air until she comes closer to me, holding my hands. I shiver at her touch.

"Luke, I'm sorry. I was selfish, but it was so hard for me, you have no idea. All I wanted was to be next to you, and kiss you, and feel your arms around me... I found myself alone every night thinking about how different it would be if I had a job, um... like yours"

"I felt alone too"

"I know you did, but I was the asshole. I made two mistakes in a roll. That day, when I called to speak with you, God, I don't know why I didn't say everything back; I was going to, I could. But I thought... I thought you were better off without me."

I swallow the knot forming in my throat, gently rubbing the back of her hand.

"Laurel, I don't get your point in here" I smile. "What are you apologizing for, exactly? There's nothing to be forgiven, you simply thought we didn't work"

"Yeah but it hurt me every single day after that, so much I regretted my decision over and over again, every time I saw you on a poster at a music store near college; whenever someone smiled at me, I remembered your smile. So many things take me to you, Luke"

Listening to her words made my heart overflow joy. It was like, after days of darkness, someone finally turned on the light. I look deep into her eyes and my instincts pull me forward. I gently hold her cheek, carefully coming closer. I keep eye contact to make sure it was okay, approaching my mouth to hers. When I'm about to close my eyes, though, she sighs, pulls my hand away and stands up.

"I don't think that's a good idea" She whispers, holding her breath.

I tilt my head, staring confusedly at her.

"What is not a good idea? Me trying to kiss you? After all you said? Don't you mean those things?"

"Of course I mean every word, but this. Us."

"Laurel, you confuse me" I shake my head, walking towards the opposite side of the room. "You say you miss me but then when I try making us work again, you push me away. Why did you come back, then, if it's not for us to solve this once and for all?"

Laurel turns to me and gazes into my eyes for several moments. So she goes back to the couch, cupping her face.

"Don't you see? I just don't want to be hurt again, Luke. And I don't want you to get hurt because of me." She replies in a tearful voice. "I feel responsible for all the bad choices you've taken after our breakup, even though that might sound a little cocky. I just wonder what you wouldn't have done if we were still together."

"You don't have to feel responsible for any of my decisions, before or after our breakup" I tell her. "I was just stupid, but I've come to my senses."

"I'm glad to know that" She does her hair up, pulling the sleeves of my jacket to her hands. "All I want is for you to be happy, you know that, right?"

"You shouldn't have broken up, then" I take a deep breath, hesitantly coming closer to her again. "You've always been a great part of all happy things to me. I'd never be better off without you; actually in my head it was the contrary. Like you said that day when we talked, if you had someone with you 24/7 you'd be better. I was ruining everything for you"

"That could have never been more far from the truth" She giggles. "I'm sorry. Do you feel the same way for me? I mean... just like 8 months ago?"

I look down, clearing my throat.

"Not exactly the same feelings" I admit. "It's been a while, I had to deal with life without you... But you'll always make my heart beat faster. What about you?"

"It's not as intense as it used to be, right? Me too. Maybe we are not going to be that again, but at least... being friends?"

I don't know exactly why but my mind takes me instantly to the guy when she says that, and I can't help giving in to the urge of asking:

"Have you found someone else? Are you in love?"

Her eyes widen and she starts laughing; I frown, feeling a little offended.

"I don't know what's so funny"

"You don't?" She rolls her eyes, giggling. "I'm still in love with you, sadly. And these days when I was thinking about it I realized something: I'm pretty much convinced that I loved you before I met you. And yeah, I'm quoting Savage Garden"

This is beating the shit out of me. I can't deal with any of this confusion anymore. So I hold her arms tight and make her look directly at me. She gulps, focused.

"Laurel, I'm in love with you. You are in love with me. You came here, you said we needed to talk. And yet, to me it feels like we're going through June 1st again. What is going on in your head?!"

"I just came to apologize..." She squints.

I shake my head.

"No, that's not why you came. It can't be. You want me, you know you do! And I want you too, my angel! You want us back, if not you wouldn't be here. Just... give us another chance, I--"

Before I can say anything else, I'm harshly interrupted; she attaches her lips to mine and a mix of all incredible sensations hits me hard. Laurel runs her fingers through my hair, and I pull her closer to me. She comes to my lap, each leg on each side of my body. In the next moment I'm sucking on her neck, slowly pulling down my jacket off her shoulders. Laurel murmurs something I can't understand, and when I'm about to lay her down she quickly jumps off me, closing her eyes.

"I'm sorry, oh God, that was stupid" She sorrows, walking back and forth. I gasp, chuckling.

"That wasn't stupid at all"

"Listen, it's pretty obvious that what happens between us is... wow" She huffs. "But still, I never felt like you wanted me, you were never around. And whenever someone asked about us you'd change the subject or deny me. How do you think that felt like?"

"I thought I was protecting you"

"From what? I knew about everything when I signed up. I know lack of privacy sucks but, hey, I was willing to give up on it for us."

"You don't know what you're saying"

Laurel groans and comes closer quickly, pointing her finger at me.

"See? This is why we couldn't work out. You think I can't decide what I want for myself! God, don't you trust me? Not even a little bit?"

Before she could think about it I grab her hand and immediately pull her closer, holding her tight against my body as I kissed her lips again. At first she tries to push me away but in a matter of seconds she gives in, placing her hands on my chest. When I pull away she's out of breath, glaring at me.

"Look what you've done"

"What?" I smirk, trying to reach her lips again.

"You made me miss my reasoning, douche face"

I laugh, hugging her against her will. She writhes to let go of me but I'm not willing to.

"Listen to me, Laurel" I whisper in her ear and she automatically shivers. I grin as I realize I still make her nervous. "I'm truly sorry for everything that I made you think. But you meant more than I could ever describe, if something happened to you because of me, I... I don't even know what I would do. Don't you know that you're too precious?"

"You are the preciosity in here, Luke..." She replies, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I feel so bad about everything you've been through but I don't think I'm ready to be left out again..."

"I never wanted you to feel left out, Laurel, whenever I could I made a huge effort to be with you"

She pulls away to look me in the eyes.

"I never said you did it on purpose, nor am I blaming you for it. I'm just telling you that it happened, whether you were aware of it or not. It's part of your career, I get that. I was selfish because I would argue with you over things that were way above you and your control. I know what you did to be with me during my recovery from the accident, and I feel so grateful. However, put yourself on my shoes: how would you feel if I could never be with you, traveling all the time?"

I sigh, getting her point. I rub her cheek with my thumb, slowly leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"I'd probably freak out, even though I'd have to understand"

"Exactly, but understanding and agreeing with something are complete different things. I always respected it and knew it was part of your job, but I didn't agree with it; I didn't accept, when it was none of my business. It would be good if you could forgive me for that, so I could, you know, move on..."

My phone rings on my pocket. Laurel steps away, checking on her nails as I clear my throat, taking it off my pocket. I look at the screen and roll my eyes, picking up.

"John, can't you guys just wait a few minutes more?"

"Luke, it's been half an hour already" He tells me. "I know you guys have a lot of things to talk about but we need to leave, so I am asking you to come."

I groan.

"10 more minutes? For Christ's sake, it's not like anyone knows where we're at"

"Luke, I--"

"It's this or I'm taking a cab on my own back to the hotel; you may choose."

John remains silent until finally giving in.

"10 minutes and that's all"

I quickly hang up and tug my phone inside my pocket, turning back to Laurel.

"Sorry about that" I mutter.

"You need to leave, right? Duty calls..." Her smile fades away, giving place to a concerned expression. "Oh God! Megan and Riley! Shit shit shit shit"

She takes her phone and whines.

"C'mon Riley, pick up..." She talks to the phone. "Riley! Hi! I know, I know... don't worry, I'm here with Luke... Yeah, found him. Sorry, I completely forgot! Can I... I'll explain later, okay? Yes, we're coming back together. 10 more minutes?" She glances at me and I chuckle. "Okay, I'll met you two there. Bye"

"Did they come along?" I raise my eyebrows when she locks her phone again.

"Yeah" She laughs embarrassedly. "I left them inside the auditorium to look for you, and that giant didn't let me in... where's Jeff, by the way?"

"He went to the hotel to take care of some arrangements for us. Dave took his place for tonight."

"It's such a shame that Dave doesn't know me... It could've saved me a good amount of desperate tears." She jokes. My eyes lay on her and a smile crosses my face. I let out one of those passionate sighs and she giggles.

"What?"

"I've missed you like crazy" I admit. "This doesn't even look real"

Hesitantly I walk towards Laurel pulling her by the waist. I kiss her forehead, trailing my way down to her mouth. I peck her lips twice before she gently rubs her nose on mine.

"I'm not gonna forgive you because there's nothing to be forgiven." I whisper close to her lips. "And more, even if it had I wouldn't forgive you because I don't want you to move on, I want this to happen. Just give us another chance, I promise that I'll do better this time, just like I know you will too"

She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Please" I insist, kissing the tip of her nose.

Laurel opens them again and smiles passionately at me.

"Let's not make any promises, but I think we should try. For our own sake"

She goes on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek, holding my hands. I chuckle.

"That's all I ask of you. And to celebrate the return of our friendship, why don't we go for a coffee tomorrow? And so we can tour around San Francisco like I had promised you"

Laurel playfully narrows her eyes at me, crossing her arms.

"Let me think... Okay." She smiles. "Oh, but I need your new number."

Phew. So she did read my tweet.

"Sure, give me your phone"

She hands it to me and I save my number. We awkwardly walk out of the dressing room side by side. We stop in front of the van, and she tries giving my jacket back but I shake my head.

"Keep it, it looked good in you. And besides, it's too cold for you here." I wink, remembering the likes Sweater Weather.

She blushes, tugging a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Thank you. See you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, text me. But hey, don't send my number to other people"

She raises her eyebrows, and I know she remembers that's what I said when I first texted her.

"Sorry, bragged about it on Twitter already, and sent it to every follower of yours." She winks at me and we both laugh. I hug her and kiss her forehead.

"Goodnight, Laurel."

"Goodnight, Luke" She replies, and then she turns to the van, waving at the curious heads inside it, watching us. "Goodnight, guys."

Ashton, Calum and Michael wish her goodnight all at once, a little embarrassed for being caught staring. She giggles and looks at me again.

"Bye bye"

I watch as she takes her steps, holding my jacket firmly in her hands. Suddenly, she looks over her shoulder with a big smile on her face.

"Oh, by the way, Wherever You Are is now my favorite song ever"

"Mine too" I sigh, finally turning my back and walking towards the van.

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This is one of the largest chapters in this book, I hope you like it though! Vote and comment, it helps me a lot! You guys have been so supportive during the entire process and I couldn't thank you enough for that. I love you for reading this!

Next chapter out soon! Stay beautiful 💗 xo