Lie To Me

Luke’s P.O.V.

We had been searching the neighborhood for Sarah all night. My legs were burning, and I’m not quite sure where I am. I wandered towards her childhood home, and favorite park. I searched everywhere, and just when I was about to give up I heard something from the tube slide. I quickly hopped onto the jungle gym and looked down the slide.
“Sar?” I called out.
“Luke?” she sniffled. “Just go away.”
“Sarah, come on. Talk to me. I’m alone, I promise.”
It took a few moments, but soon she crawled through the slide and to me. Her face was stained where the tears had streamed down her face.
“Want to talk about it?” I wavered.
“What’s there to talk about?” she scoffed, “Ashton and my best friend, who knew I have always been madly in love with him, slept together.”
“One time.” I reminded her.
“Stop trying to justify it, Luke!” she snapped.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I’m not trying to upset you, or justify what happened, but hear me out?”
Sarah hesitated, but soon gave me a nod.
“If you never found out ,would it change your feelings towards Ash?” she shook her head, “Even though it hurts, do you still love him?” slowly she nodded, “Remember the time in 3rd grade when we all lived in Australia, and you stole the ‘love of her life’?” she rolled her eyes, “I know, it’s not the same, but did she forgive you?”
“Luke, I get it, I really do, but this is different. I feel the need to get even. It’s an awful feeling.”
“I almost punched my best friend over it, I know an awful feeling.”
We both chuckled.
“How are you so easy to forgive them?” she asked.
It took me a long moment and a very deep breath before I could respond. “I don’t have room to talk. I cheated on Riley with so many different girls, I lost count. And my friendship with Ashton... It’s just not worth throwing away... And you know, the band... On hiatus or not.”
She smiled, “Hey, Luke.” she looked up at me, with a look I had never seen on her before. Desperation? Her face slowly moved towards mine. Lust? Our foreheads met and she swiftly crashed her lips into mine.

Riley’s P.O.V.

Ashton and I walked over towards Sarah’s old house.
“I can’t believe she knows.” he sighed.
“I’m sorry.” I wanted to continue crying, but I wasn’t sure there was anything left.
“Don’t be.” he began, “I should’ve told her... And Luke.”
“We could’ve never told them at all like we planned.” I was so frustrated with myself, but even more frustrated that everyone was forgiving me, when I can’t forgive myself.
“Do you think we’ll find her?” he asked.
“I do. I just don’t know how it will go when we do.”
We continued our walk down to the park by her old house.
“Did you hear that?” I asked. We stopped walking for a moment and listened carefully.
“...I feel the need to get even. “
“Sarah?” I whispered to Ash. We walked closer.
“Hey, Luke?” Sarah spoke again, this time we had a clear view of them. She leaned in and kissed Luke.

Luke’s P.O.V.

I pulled away, “Sarah.” I gasped.
“I--” she began but was quickly cut off by Ashton and Riley standing behind us.
“Got even.” Riley spoke, tears welling in her eyes. “Do you feel better now?” she snapped.
“That’s low.” Ashton replied, before turning away. Riley quickly followed him and before I knew they were both out of sight.
“Goddammit! I just got her back.” I yelled, chasing after them.
“Luke!” Sarah called.
“Don’t!” I scowled, not looking back.
Just when I thought the night of searching was over., here we go again.

****

I gave up on trying to text and call Riley around 3am. I walked home hoping she would be there, and if not, I’d keep searching. I slumped through the front door and called out for Riley.
“Ry!” no response, “Ry! Are you here?”
I ran upstairs and found her sitting on the bed pulling her shoes off.
“Ry?”
“Hmm?”
“Why didn’t you respond?”
She shrugged, continuing to undress.
“Where’s Ashton?”
She gave me a glare, “I made sure he got home and that Calum was there so he wasn’t alone.”
“Can we talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Luke. I saw what happened.”
“But there is because--”
“Because you didn’t kiss her, she kissed you. I know. Save your breath.”
“Riley...”
She burst into tears. I rushed to her side and held her.
“Did it make her feel better?” She cried, “To kiss you? To hurt me?”
“I didn’t stick around to find out.” I replied.
She cried harder. I rocked her back and forth hoping to take all of her pain away.

Riley’s P.O.V.

*18 years ago*

I rushed into class with a birthday present for my biggest crush, Jacob. I asked him out everyday, but he never said yes. Once, Sarah told me that he said I was annoying. I sat in class daydreaming about him across the room all day. When the recess bell rang, I grabbed the present out of my backpack and ran for the playground. I was met with the view of Sarah and Jacob sharing a peck. The present fell from my hands in what felt like slow motion. My whole world was crashing around me. I sat down and scream cried. Teachers and other kids rushed over to me, but I couldn’t pull myself out of it. I got taken to the clinic because everyone thought I fell.
“Hi, Riley.” Luke smiled at me from across the clinic.
“Luke? What are you doing here?”
“I scraped my knee! Why are you here?”
“A broken heart.” I melodramatically sighed.
“Oh no! Hey, what’s in the box?” he asked.
“Take it.” I sighed.
Luke ripped it open to find the stuffed penguin I got Jacob.
“I love penguins!” he squealed.
I smiled.
“Riley! You’re the best!”
I blushed, “It was for my crush, but... He likes my best friend.”
“I thought I was your best friend?”
“You are, but I mean Sarah. Everyone likes her better.”
“Not me. I like you better. You’re my first choice.”
I blushed again, I never had a crush on Luke before, he was just the boy next door, but I felt warm inside with him next to me now.
“Riley? Babe? Are you okay?” Mom rushed in. I nodded and jumped off the cot.
“Luke made everything better.” I smiled at him.
He eagerly waved at my mom before she took me home.

*Present Day*

“You know, ever since that day, even when everyone thought Sarah was the pretty friend, and invited her to things over me, I never felt alone because of you.” I told Luke, he smiled.
“I meant it back then and all the way til now, you’re my first choice. I’m sorry I lost sight of that in the past.”
My cheeks filled with color, “It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry for tonight.” Luke kissed my forehead as I rested my head on his bare chest.
“I just want to fall asleep and wake up with Amnesia.”
“Now who’s doing a word play on my lyrics?” Luke chuckled.
He held me close, stroking my hair until I was nodding off.
“I love you, Ry.”
“I love you too, Luke.”

Notes

I'm really frustrated with myself that I have literally no idea where to go with this. I just feel like it's not good enough. UGH.