"Are you sure?" I questioned to my boyfriend from my phone.

"Yeah. We've spent enough time running around this city together. Go spend your day with Luke, he probably misses you." Ellis said, his smile obvious even through a speaker. He had insisted on taking a day off from him and spending my day with Luke, since apparently I hadn't, as if we weren't living together.

Ellis was different. Not different as in 'he's the one' type of thing from cliché books and movies, but in a whole just as a person. He was very open minded, very optimistic, just about an any given time. He was one of those 'morning people' which I was not. At all. He was also extremely book smart, and I leaned towards the street smart. If you compared him and I you'd see more differences than similarities, but that's what made our relationship so interesting.

"Alright." I sighed to him, not exactly content with having to give up a day with Ellis. We've been trying to get as much time in as possible before school started because then we'd be insanely busy.

"We've got the weekend, don't fret. See you then, alright?" His voice was smooth and quiet, it was always calming and assuring. I smiled at his words then agreed.

"Okay. The weekend, got it. See you until then." I broke the sentences off, as if I was making a mental note. My voice turned back to it's normal state, but I still managed to sound a little excited.

"Miss you until then." We exchanged our goodbyes and I hung up, letting myself sink into the leather couch.

We had always done the same ritual over the phone, 'See you until then.' 'Miss you until then.' Since he hadn't actually told me he loved me yet, it was a good replacement. Just like a reassurance that we'll see each other soon and they're in our thoughts, I guess. It's kind of cheesy and silly, but that's what we liked about it.

As for him not saying he loved me yet, it had a lot to do with his parents. He had those parents that had basically planned his life out. They hadn't chosen for me to be his girlfriend or anything, if so then he could've gotten a lot better might I add. But his parents were very intimidating. Full of money, business partners, strict, the usual. I had met them and had nearly collapsed from their judgemental stares, but Ellis had made it clear that they like me and are happy with his choice. I always second guessed that, but I finally let it go when I realized his parents couldn't make or break us, this relationship was just between us.

As for my parents, they weren't too fond of Ellis' 'type' of family. I had a very easy going, laid back type of family, who were also a bit weird. I've got incredible support from them, seeing as they only want me happy. It's not that they didn't like Ellis or his family, it's just that they were just about polar opposites.

Now, my parents also think I would be happier getting through school not with Ellis as my boyfriend, but Luke. It's the typical thing of they thought we were cute as little kids and they thought our friendship was going to bloom into some crazy undeniable love for each other which I thought was a little ridiculous to be honest. I mean, I did love Luke as a friend, almost like a brother. I had an older brother and a younger brother which Luke wouldn't quite fit in with, but you get the point.

So all in all, my family holds Luke a little higher than Ellis since Luke was around a lot more and they secretly wish that I was dating Luke, but they know that I'm very happy with Ellis so they let it be. I was very lucky to have it all fall in place the way it is.

"Luke!" I hollered across the house, wanting to inform him of the change of plans.

"What?" He yelled back rather rudely. I scoffed to myself and tried to find out where his voice came from. Even though we had a one story, small apartment, it was still pretty hard to find out where we were yelling at each other from.

"You don't need to be so rude." I said, still shouting. I walked through the kitchen in search for him and found him climbing up on the counters. He was on his knees on top of the granite with the cabinet door open, it was obvious he was looking for something.

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking over at me once with a white mug in his hand.

"Don't apologize." I didn't like it when people apologized or did nice things for me. I wasn't one to let people go out of their way for me, it was nice and I almost always took the gesture since I didn't want to seem like I was being unfriendly.

"Right, so," He started as he carefully jumped back down, landing on his feet with a loud thud. I kept my arms folded across my chest and my face blank and watched him place the cup on the counter next to him. "What's up?" He asked, taking notice in my body language as he looked my up and down.

"We have step stool you know." I stated, briefly changing the subject.

"No we don't." He shot back.

"You see me use it all the time!" I let my arms fall and a laugh escape my lips from his oblivion. I watched him turn in a full circle in search for the small step ladder. I was curious as to why he even needed one, since he was already tall enough to reach the top shelf, as for me, I was in need.

"Where is it?" He questioned with his eyebrows furrowed.

"It's folded up in the space between the counter you were just on and the fridge." I watched him as he stepped towards the space, examining it then pulling it out and unfolding it. He climbed up once again a dug through the shelves once again. I shook my head lightly and hopped up on the counter top. "Anyways, today-"

"Move." He pushed my legs over which made me turns sideways, but I kept my shoulders and head towards him.

"Anyways." I said over dramatically, earning me an annoyed look from Luke. "Ellis cancelled our date for today. He said I should spend some time with you." I ruffled his hair which he immediately smoothed down. He hated it when I did that, but being his best friend had it's perks

"He cancelled on you? That's not cool." He stated, filling up the two mugs with water.

"I've spent almost everyday with him just running around. How about we do something today?" I proposed as he set the cups in the microwave, suggesting that he was making us coffee or hot chocolate. He turned around and gave me a skeptical look and walked back towards me.

"He knows we live together right?" He said through a soft laugh. He came up to me and placed a hand on either side of me, not allowing me to move from my spot.

"'He knows we live together right?'" I taunted, attempting to mock his accent. "Yes of course he knows. It's just that we haven't actually gone out and seen around the city."

"I've been around with Cianna, it's not too great." I groaned at the mention of Cianna, as he was very aware that I did not like her what so ever.

We had met Cianna the day we moved into our apartment. She lived in the same building as us and offered us a hand as we were hauling in our boxes and belongings. She was very sweet about it and befriended us immediately, starting up conversations and asking us about our life back home. I had actually liked her at the beginning, but now was just a big no.

Her attitude that she first portrayed was expected as her short blonde hair and thick rimmed glasses gave off the image of so. It was until then I walked in to see Cianna grabbing Luke's face, confused face might I say, and locking lips with him. I interrupted and out conversation went along the lines of 'I'm so sorry!' and then 'Wait, he's not your boyfriend?' which she turned to Luke and said 'Well, you can call me.' And then she left and it was all very awkward.

Shortly after I found out she doesn't actually like to wear glasses or comfy sweat pants most of the time, she now chooses to cover her eyes with fake eyelashes and short dresses. I mean, there's nothing wrong with that I guess. It made Luke stick around and be her friend for a few months now. Even though it's very obvious that she isn't a very nice girl after all.

"Why do you even still hangout with her?" I wailed, not even liking the mention of her name.

"Come on, Autumn. She's nice once you get to know her." He moved closer to me which made me lean back onto my hands. I never really liked it when people got too close to me, especially during a conversation.

"May I remind you that she practically throws herself at you." I said mater-of-factly. He didn't answer my remark and rolled his eyes. "She's got it for you bad." I chuckled.

"She does not 'got it for me'." He said, standing back up and air quoting my words. I sat up straight and turned myself to him as he walked across the kitchen to get the mugs out of the microwave. I opened my mouth to say something but he beat me to it. "And no, I do not 'got it for her' either." He knew those were my exact thoughts which had irritated me as he knew me all to well.

"Luke, you could pull any girl in this world, maybe even a few guys." I assured him as we've been over this a hundred times. I heard him let out a quiet laugh at my attempt to lighten the mood.

"As long as I'm not pulling you." He said nonchalantly as he stirred our drinks. I scoffed as I watched a smile grow on my face.

"You dick." I said sarcastically. He walked over and handed me a mug which I took and instantly recognized as a hot chocolate. "But really, why don't you just date her already?" I asked as I took a sip of my drink.

"You don't even like her." He stated as if I was supposed to know that would've been his answer. I raised my eyebrows at him, confused as to why I was apart of it.

"And my opinion matters why?" I crossed one of my legs over the other, nudging his hip with my foot.

"Because you're my best friend, that's why." His head cocked to the side slightly, giving me a pretentious look. "And I don't like her like that, she's definitely not my type."

"Then what is your 'type'?" I put the word in air quotes, just like Luke had before. He always gave me vague answers that would eventually unravel in a matter of days, but when it came to his love life I always wanted to know what he was getting himself into. Just in case.

"Can we not have this conversation?" He sighed. It was showing that he was becoming annoyed with me which was a common trait between us, we were easily irritated.

"I just figured that you'd like someone with an IQ higher than their age." I sneered.

"Autumn." He warned. We sat staring at each other before I finally gave in.

"Okay." I threw my hands up in defense, finally breaking our eye contact. "But we're still going out today. I've got some school shopping to do and I'm sure you do too." I hopped off the counter and stood next to him, letting his broad frame tower over me. "Deal?"

"Deal." He nodded his head once at me, a smile pulling at the ends of his lips. It looked like his normal smile, just with a hint of mischief.

Luke was very conservative, I guess you could say. He wasn't usually up for big changes which is why I was so surprised when he confessed about wanting to go to school away from home. He was extremely laid back, wasn't the one for big extravagant parties or fancy dinners. His messy room (and hair) were the main factors of his carefree vibe.

Despite these things, if he could sense that I was upset or mad or anything that wasn't happy, he'd immediately be by my side and asking what was up. He'd really do it for anyone even though he was a sarcastic kid most of the time, he had a good heart, nothing but good intentions which leads me back to girls.

Freshman year, the night my date ditched me actually, I thought I had developed a crush on my very own best friend. We were upstairs in his room and he had given me clothes to change into and that's when I realized 'Wow, I want to kiss this kid's face.' But I never did, Luke and I have never done anything more sexual than cuddling, which didn't even count. My crush on him lasted about 2 weeks when I realized how important our friendship was I didn't want to ruin it, so I just pushed it all aside and eventually the feelings faded.

Since then, Luke and I have been in only one relationship, mine being Ellis of course, and Luke being that bitchy girl from 11th grade. He's had small little flings, but nothing serious. He's not one to just pass himself along so he just goes with things and let them unravel and settle.

As I was getting ready, I had a few thoughts like these run through my head. I was always curious as to why he never looked for anyone after his last breakup. I knew he still didn't have feelings for her, they were barely there in the first place. Luke hadn't seriously affiliated himself with any girl since. It had made me wonder, but I just figured it was since college was coming up and we couldn't screw this up unless we wanted to lose this house and possibly our chance to stay at this school.

I grabbed my wallet and phone off my dresser and headed out of my room and into the living room where I had found Luke asleep on the couch. I walked over to him and crouched down as I shook my head. He had the ability to fall asleep wherever he wanted in any amount of time.

"Luke." I sang softly, shaking his shoulder. His eyes immediately opened wide and I watched as his dilated pupils shrank back to normal size then slightly bigger again. I was taken back by this, since I'd never actually seen his eyes do that before. "Are you alright?" I asked as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. He blinked a few times before answering and pulled me up off the ground and to the couch.

"I'm alright, are you alright?" He chuckled.

"I took 30 minutes to get ready and you passed out on the couch. What's up?" I questioned, scanning him as if that was going to answer my question.

"I didn't sleep a lot last night." He shrugged. I stood up with him and followed him over to the closet by our front door which held all of our coats.

"Why's that?" I always bombarded him with questions when things seemed off, the usual routine.

"Had a few things on my mind," He stated, pulling out a jacket and slipping his arms through. "But it's nothing. I'm good." He smiled at me, but not the dimply genuine smile I was used to. He took one of my coats of the hanger and passed it over to me, but I stopped his arm once he handed it to me.

"We don't have to go, we can stay here if you want." I kept my grip on his arm, waiting for him to give me an answer. He kept his eyes locked with mine and gestured for me to take my jacket.

"If we don't go today then I probably won't get a chance to have a day out with you for a while." I slipped my arms through and nodded a few times, telling him that I understood without actually saying anything. He grabbed the key of the hook on the inside of the closet and opened the front door, guiding me out first.

The cold wind was sharp against my face, but it was bearable. After all, we were only walking a few blocks. He shut the door and locked it behind him, greeting me with a gentle smile. He stuck out his arm, letting me hook mine with his.

"Ready to take on Manhattan?" He asked once we got down the few steps out. I sighed in a relaxed tone and glanced up at him, meeting his gaze that was already on me.

"Ready."