Emily's POV

"Emily?"

Oh, shit.

Why the hell is he up at this hour?

I am screwed, so so screwed, literally.

I am facing my bed, aware of his gaze on my back. I stay quiet, I don't even know if anything will come out of my mouth after the amount of time I spent crying and singing today.

I hear shuffling and soon enough I can feel Luke standing behind me, a few inches away.

I stand there like a statue, completely frozen. Like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Where were you? I was trying to call you the whole day! You weren't picking your phone. Alice told me you had some family business to attend but Ems, you could've at least told me. I was so worried."

I don't reply. Maybe I don't look as bad as I thought I would from the back, but I knew for sure that the moment I turn around and show him my face, he is gonna scream so loud thinking I am some kind of possessed girl. That's how bad I look from the front right now. At my quietness, he continues.

"Did you eat breakfast before leaving or after reaching there? Did you have lunch? What about dinner? Did you eat something?"

How can I tell him that my food consumption of the whole day was two bites of scrambled eggs, a glass of juice and a cookie?

"Emily? Are you even listening to me?" A strong arm turned me around, immediately facing Luke's smoldering blue eyes.

His mouth opened wide when he saw me. A look of pure shock on his face. I tried to imagine what I looked like from his point of view right now. My hair looked like a bird's nest, my eyes were probably puffy and red, a perfect result of my tear ducts working over time. My face felt like plastic from the dried tearstains. My white tee shirt had grass and dirt on it and so did my black jeans. My cut fingers were enough for one to presume that I had killed an innocent soul.

One look at me, I'll put Medusa to shame.

"Oh my... what happened to you?" his voice came out hoarse, as if he was speaking after a very long time.

"I'm fine." I see him wince at my voice. Hell, even I wince when I hear my voice. It comes out broken and hoarse, like I was speaking while trying to keep my food down. My throat ached as I spoke, like it was being stabbed again and again with needles.

"Your fingers are bleeding, Ems. C'mon, I'll clean you up."

He gives me some clean clothes and pushes me into the bathroom. When I am done changing into some yoga pants and a huge tee shirt, I walk out of the bathroom. Luke already has a first aid kit lying in front of him while he sits on my bed. He signals me to come over and I mutely obey.

I sit in front of him on my bed, mimicking his cross-legged position so now our knees touch. He immediately takes my hand and starts working on it. He cleans the cuts and rubs some alcohol on them. I wince a little from the burning sensation and he apologizes quickly.

When I am all cleaned up, he puts the first aid box aside and faces me.

"Now will you tell me why did you barge into here at two in the morning looking like a girl gone through a bad break-up?"

I simply nod my head no.

"Do you really think I will let it go when you show up at this hour? Do I strike you as an idiot?" his voice is hard, without any softness. I peek up a look at him; his eyes are stone cold, void of any emotions. His jaw is clenched and I can tell he is trying hard to keep his breathing normal.

He is mad.

"I am not ready, Luke." I say in a soft hoarse voice but he doesn't change his expression.

"That's not true, Emily. You have to let this out. You don't think I've noticed how you have been behaving these past two weeks. You can't just walk away with it. Tell me." His voice doesn't change. It's the same cold voice with a hint of demand behind them. I don't want him to be upset with me but how can he not. I was the stupid person who decided to come back instead of spending the night at aunt Tessie's.

"You will hate me when I tell you." I warn him, looking down and my bandaged fingers.

"I wont hate you, Emily. Just let it out."

Should I? Should I tell him the truth? What will he think? What will be his reaction? He will hate me. He will think I am a selfish bitch who has killed her own family. He will-

"Please, Emily. Talk to me." His words snap me out of my thoughts. I look at him again and see that he doesn't look angry anymore. His eyes are full of concern and trust.

I take a deep breath. Here it goes...

"I was what many people call a 'mistake'. My mum and dad had me when they were only eighteen. It didn't draw them apart. They embraced it happily. They both managed to finish high school and even college. They got married and were always happy and in love." I smile remembering the times my parents looked at each other, always smiling with so much adoration.

"They always told me I was a blessing, a gift sent from heaven. They never let me cry, always gave me what I wanted. I got along with both of them. Being young, they always kept up with the latest culture and style. They were like my friends rather than parents."

"When I started middle school, things got somewhat heavy. I was one of the most studious people in the class. Other kids used to get me to help them with homework and studies but when they were done, they left me alone. I used to think that they were my friends and actually enjoyed my company. However, I later realized that they used me to get their work done. They didn't want to be with me. They took advantage of my kindness and it hurt like hell."

"I used to think that something was wrong with me. The other kids called me boring and fat and sometimes dumb too. I started eating less and behaving distant. My parents put two and two together. They supported me, made me eat again, they helped me to accept myself, they were my therapists, my best friends, my everything."

I didn't know I was crying until I felt a hand wiping my tears. Luke gave me a small tentative smile and held my hands in his large ones.

"One day, my parents called me inside the living room after lunch. Mum told me that she was pregnant again. I was so happy. I literally jumped up and down in excitement while they both laughed. I asked them if we could go out and celebrate that night. They didn't approve at first but I persuaded them and they agreed reluctantly. It was all-good. Everything was perfect. I was going to be big sister and I couldn't be more happy."

"That night, while we were driving towards the restaurant, a car came zooming towards us. The driver must be drunk because he was driving on the wrong side of the road. When mum alerted us, dad took a steep turn to prevent collision, our car skewered wildly on the road before we hit a concrete wall."

I hear Luke inhaling a sharp breath.

"You don't have to, Ems."

"No you are right, I have to get it out." I say, looking down at my lap. He squeezes my hand gently and I continue.

"When I woke up, I was at a hospital. I had few scratches and burns with a sprained ankle and a broken wrist. When I asked about my parents the doctors looked at me apologetically and I immediately understood. They were gone. My mum and dad were gone."

I was pulled on Luke's lap. He caged me in his arms while I sobbed.

"I didn't get the chance to hold my baby brother or sister. I didn't get a chance to play with him or her. I didn't get a chance to spoil my sibling or to teach him or her to play the guitar."

"Shhh its okay, Emily. Everything will be-..."

"No, it not okay, Luke." I cut him off. "Don't you see it? It was all my fault. Today, exactly three years ago, I destroyed everything. I killed my parents. Its my fault." Okay maybe it was yesterday seeing its way past midnight but who cares right?

"No!" Luke pulls away abruptly and takes my face in his palms. "It was not your fault, Emily. The car skewered, you couldn't control it and so couldn't your dad."

"But it is my fault. I persuaded them to go out. If I wasn't so stubborn and selfish, they would've been here." I say.

"It wasn't your fault, Emily! It wasn't. It was an accident. Emily, do you really think your parents would blame you for the accident? No, they wouldn't, Emily. They wouldn't want their beloved daughter destructing herself for something that wasn't her fault."

"But-..."

"No buts, Emily. Your parents loved you. They wouldn't want to see you like this. C'mon now, you are going to tell me everything about them. I want to know about them. I want you to tell me about them."

My heart flutters at his words. He wants to know about my parents. He genuinely wants to know about them. So, that's what I do. I tell him everything about my parents. Their favourite colour, their favourite food and all the embarrassing stories of my childhood.

I told him how the girls in my class used to drool over my dad because he was young and so handsome. I told him how I always used to complain about playing the guitar because it used to hurt so much. I told him about the time when I was seven and I and dad had pranked mom by keeping thousands of rubber spiders in her drawer. She smacked both of our heads and ranted on and on about how childish we were, well, how childish dad was because I was only seven so I was a child.

I told him how my parents were the 'perfect couple'. They rarely argued. They always supported each other in everything. They were how I imagined I would be when I grew up. To have a man who is kind, caring, and considerate and who genuinely loves me.

I told him everything. He listened attentively. He didn't complain that his legs were aching because I was sitting on them. He laughed at the funny memories I shared with my parents. We talked for god knows how long. We didn't notice the time, we just talked.

My feelings for Luke instantly got ten times stronger. It scared me how I have fallen for him without knowing if he feels the same. Yes, Justin, Alex, Cole and even Alice have told me a numerous times that he likes me and that they are on team Lemily but it all comes to our personal feelings right?

Others can make assumptions but it is us who have to admit the feelings to ourselves and act on it.

I shrug off the thoughts and continue telling Luke about the various adventures I had with my dad.

I was so thankful to him for everything. For being so caring and kind. For putting up with my anorexia and most importantly, for being my friend. Even though he doesn't have feelings for me in another way, I still don't want to loose him as a friend.

"Did you really get drunk on cough syrup?" he asks laughing loudly. My heart flutters at his laugh. It's so contagious and he looks so carefree when he laughs. I pout playfully and glare at him.

"Hey, I was tired of coughing and sneezing the whole day! I didn't know cough syrup could make me drunk."

"God you're something else..." he trails off laughing and I join him. We laugh for a few minutes and I lay my head down on his chest. I listen to his heartbeat when a thought crosses my mind.

"Luke?" I ask, facing him.

"Hmmm?" he looks down at me. I get up and sit a little straighter on his lap.

"I wanted to thank you for everything. Thank you for being so kind to me. Thank you for helping and supporting me in everything. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for always being there with me. I don't know why or how you put up with me but I am so thankful-..." my words are cut off when Luke places his lips on mine.

Oh my god.

It's not necessarily a kiss, just a light touch on my lips.

"You want to know why I put up with you? Because I've fallen for you, Emily Stone." He whispers against my lips. His lips again give me a slight touch. He puts one of his hands behind my neck to support me while his other hand cradles my cheek.

"I've fallen for you hard," then he places his lips on mine with increased pressure.

I don't respond at first but then begin to move my lips against his. I place my hands on his shoulder. Our lips move in sync with each other like they were made to slot together. It's a sweet and passionate kiss. The way his lips are moving against mine makes me feel wanted. He pulls me closer on his lap, trying to eliminate any space left between us.

The dinosaurs are back in my stomach doing all kind of circus tricks. I place my hand above his heart to find it beating vigorously much like mine. It's so perfect. Its like the world is black and white, and its just the two of us in colour.

Yes, I indirectly quoted Taylor Swift. Sue me for ruining the moment.

I start feeling a little light headed and the lack of oxygen causes me to pull away. Damn you air. Luke places his forehead on mine, both of us breathing heavily.

"I take that the feeling is mutual then?" he asks smiling while he strokes my cheek. I blush looking down with a goofy smile on my face.

"That was my first..." I whisper still looking down.

"Your first kiss?" he asks with amusement. I nod, my face heating up, growing redder than a tomato.

"Told you I was a loner in high school..." I feel so embarrassed. I know, he told me he likes me but I don't know if he actually liked the kiss. I mean, I am the most inexperienced person in the world when it comes to relationships.

Luke lifts my face up with both his hands and squishes my cheeks. Wow! I have fish cheeks now!

"It was an honor to be Emily Stone's first kiss. Also, it was the best kiss ever."

Oh my god. I just died. How can he be so... I don't even know. He is too good to be true.

"Really?" I ask with squished cheeks.

"Yes." He says chuckling. He pulls me back to his chest, tucking my head under his chin. After a few minutes of silence, I ask him the one question that's been nagging me for a few minutes.

"Luke? Are you doing this because you feel sorry for me?" he tightens his arms around me but doesn't say anything. He stays quiet for a few minutes, saying absolutely nothing. With every passing minute of silence, I feel certain that what I said was true.

I am about to say something when he starts speaking.

"No, pumpkin. I've had these feelings for you for a long time. You make me feel weird. It's like magic with you, where everything is an illusion but real at the same time. I've never felt this stronger with anybody else. Its not pity, Ems. My feelings are genuine for you. I like you, Emily."

His words resonate around me. He likes me.

"I like you too, Luke."

"I know, everybody likes me." Smack! I hit him in the chest.

"Stop being so arrogant." I mock him while he just laughs.

"I want to take you out tomorrow. Be ready by 5." He says.

"That's not how you ask a lady to a date."

"Where is the lady?" I hit him in the chest again.

"Okay okay. Emily, would you like to go out on a date with me?"

"Yes, I would love to." I say. He kisses my forehead and holds me tightly.

"Hey, did you eat something today?" he asks. Oh god. I knew this was going to come up eventually.

My average food consumption per day was already below average. He is going to be so upset if I tell him I ate even less than that.

"Emily?" he brings me back to reality. His voice sounds worried.

"Uhh about that. Please don't freak out." Oh god why did I tell him not to freak out? He is obviously gonna freak out now. Way to go, Emily.

"Tell me what did you eat." He asks again sitting straight and looking me in the eyes.

"A glass of juice, scrambled eggs and a cookie." I say staring at my bed sheet with interest.

"EMILY! You know that's not healthy. Why?"

"I didn't have an appetite." I say in a small voice. He sighs deeply running a hand through his face.

He is getting tired of me isn't he?

"Do you need something to eat now?" he asks, his voice is soft yet dull. I know he is mad at me though he is trying not to be. What have I done?

"I'm sorry, Luke. I know you are worried about me and I should take care of my health but I couldn't eat. Not today. I just couldn't find it in myself to digest anything. I'm sorry. Please don't get mad."

His eyes soften at my words and he pulls me back in his arms again.

"I'm not mad, pumpkin, I was just worried. I don't want you getting sick or anything. I understand your reason for not eating. Its okay. It happens but please be careful the next time. Now, do you want anything to eat? I can get some sandwiches from the fridge."

"No I don't want anything." I say yawning. I didn't even realize how tired I was. After all the crying and playing the guitar in the dark weather and then coming back and talking the whole night, don't forget the practically empty stomach, it was kind of obvious to feel tired.

"Okay. You should get some sleep, its been a long day or should I say night." He says chucking softly.

Not wanting to move, I simply nod my head and make myself comfortable in his arms.

"Good night, Luke."

He kisses my forehead again, tightening his hold on me.

"Good night, pumpkin."

Its been a long day as well as night for me so I immediately drift into sleep with only one last thought on my mind.

He likes me.

..............................................................................................................................................

Soooo? They finally kissed. Wow.

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OH MY GOD! YOU MAKE ME STRONG IS CURRENTLY AT #742 IN TEEN FICTION. I CANT BREATHE, LITERALLY. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

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