Lie To Me

Riley’s P.O.V.

We pulled up to the Billboard Music Awards.
“Ready?” Luke whispered in my ear. No.
I nodded and took his hand as he lead me out of the limo. The cameras flashing made my heart race as it was, but we are literally fenced into the chaos.
“It’s going to be okay.” Luke smiled, holding me close. “You look stunning.” I glanced down at the sleek black high-low dress, with plunging neckline and heels; I was finally almost Luke’s height. I couldn’t help but smile.
Everyone began their strut down the red carpet, stopping in the designated photo areas.
“This isn’t as bad I thought.” I smiled to Luke, mid photo. He kissed my forehead.
Everything calmed down as we got inside and settled into our seats. The boys were set to perform in the middle of the show, and they were up in almost every category. I sat back as the show began, and Luke took my hand.

Luke’s P.O.V.

The boys and I walked backstage before our performance.
“Are you ready, Luke? You couldn’t exactly warm up.” Michael asked.
“I’m good, plus the more rasp, the better for Youngblood.”
“Gentleman.” a cute cocktail girl smiled, handing us shots.
“Thanks.” we all spoke.
“To us.” Ashton yelled, and the glances clinked together before we shot them back.
We stepped closer to the stage and listened for the que as we were moved to our places.
“The next performers have been one of the hottest boy bands the billboards have ever seen. Nominated in the past, as well as tonight, here is 5 Seconds Of Summer!”
The performance of Youngblood was one of our best yet. I felt like I was on cloud nine. I forgot the rush performing gave me, and I could see the boys were feeling just as good.
“Thank you 5SOS! Before you take your seats, we’d like to present you with one of the awards you were nominated for tonight; Best Duo/Group.”
“Wow! Thank you so much for this!” Ashton spoke, taking one of the 4 award plaques. “Thank you billboards, our parents, family, friends, the fans! This is for you!” We all waved and went backstage. Michael was the first to disappear. As I looked for the other boys I could feel the room getting smaller.
“Ash.” I called.
“Yeah?”
“I need a fix.”
“Luke. You haven’t... You know, in--”
“Ashton.” I growled.
“I can’t man.” he sighed, walking away. “I saw what it did to you, and I know it would kill Riley.”
“Luke.” Cal called, “Don’t man.”
“Think of Riley. Think of all the progress we’ve all made.”
I took what they said to heart, but a good line is all I wanted.

*6 years ago*

We had just been signed to go on tour with One Direction and all went to celebrate together. I followed all the boys to a speakeasy and inside was like nothing I had ever seen before. The closest comparison I had was a mix of Gatsby and Wolf on Wall street. There were gorgeous woman in practically no clothes, serving drinks to guys like us, and some trays had a white powder residue.
“Don’t worry, we know you’ve never done this before. You’re safe with us.” Zayn smiled.
I took a seat in one of the large leather chairs and a gorgeous girl with hair like Riley’s served me a drink and sat on my lap.
“I have a girl-”
“Sh.” she smiled, holding a tray with a line of cocaine on it.
“Go ahead, let loose.” Zayn spoke again. I turned to Mikey, Cal, and Ash. They were all in a trance with the other girls and quickly followed direction.
The beautiful girl held the tray closer to my face. I had only ever seen coke done in movies and quickly held one side of my nose shut, while taking the coke in the other.
“Wow.” I gasped when I finished.
As the drug took over I could’ve sworn the waitress was Riley. She leaned in for a passionate kiss. I quickly felt myself become excited. She ran her hands down her body and to my member, stroking above my jeans. The longer the high set in, the more happened between her and I. I don’t remember anything past losing my clothes until I woke up next to her, naked.
“Shit.” I spat to myself.
“Don’t worry mate, that’s the first wild night of many.” Zayn patted my back and he left the room.

*1 year ago*

My eyes fluttered open to the brightest lights I had seen in some time.
“Luke?” Ashton called.
“Yeah?” I coughed. I could taste the vomit lingering in my throat.
“You alright mate?” Ashton looked awful. The color in his face was washed away in sweat and bags under his eyes.
“You look as bad as I feel.” I chuckled, but quickly choked.
Ash smiled, “Well you’re shitty humor is still in tact.”
“What the hell happened?” I asked.
“This is detox, mate. Remember when Crystal sobered up Michael? Well, it’s the same, but now it’s the three of us.”
“This is miserable. I just need a line, I’ll feel better.”
“No. Riley won’t take your high-self back. You have to get clean and get her back.”
“Why are you getting clean, then?”
Ashton shrugged, “Support. Sarah... I want to be with her, man. I just needed a reality check.”
“You’re right. We can do this.”
“We’ll go an a hiatus and figure it all out.”
“I don’t think I could perform and not want a line if I’m being honest.”
“It’s for the best we take a break. Excuse me- I have to throw up.” Ashton quickly ran to another bathroom, and I felt myself ready to hurl again.

*present day*

“Luke?” Riley called, “You won! You have to go.”
I quickly kissed her and joined the boys on stage to accept another award.
“I’d like to again thank the billboards, our parents, friends, family, then fans. A huge, HUGE, thank you to our amazing support systems, we could not do it without. We love you.” I pointed at Riley, waved, and quickly exited the stage for the next presenters.
“Hi, I’m Sam.” the girl from earlier smiled. “You may not remember me, but I was at the speakeasy quite a few years ago.”
“Oh. Uh-”
“Don’t worry.” she blushed, “I just wanted to say hi. Are you clean now? You look great.”
“I am.”
“Still have that girlfriend?” she asked, pushing her breasts out.
“I do. I think I’m going to marry her.”
“Does she know about us?”
“She knows I was an awful, unloyal, boyfriend back then.”
“I uh-- Would it be possible to talk to you later?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“You’re probably right. Congrats. I should go.” she stampered off in the opposite direction and I found my way back to Riley.
“I think we should celebrate.” Riley smiled, running her hand up my thigh.
“Hey, now.” I smirked.
“She’s right! There’s tons of after parties whose should we go to?” Crystal smiled.
“Shawn Mendes’?” Emma asked.
We all shrugged in agreement and quickly found our way out when the show ended.
***
We quickly arrived to Shawn’s house and let ourselves in.
“Shawn!” we all exclaimed, running to him. “Congrats on the wins, man!” Ashton spoke.
“Thanks guys! Welcome to the party. Make yourselves at home.” He smiled, then quickly rushed to the door for the rest of the guests.
“Let’s get to it!” Ash yelled, pulling everyone in a different direction.
As the night went on and on I lost track of Riley, Sarah-- everyone really.
“Luke?”
I turned to see Sam in front of me again.
“Hi.” I smiled, or I think I did. I lost count of how many drinks I had hours ago.
“Wanna join me outside?”
I shrugged and followed her outside. “Want some?” she asked, holding a small bag of my favorite drug.
“I shouldn’t.”
“Right! You’re clean. I forgot.”
I could feel my tastebuds begging for any part of what she was about to do, but I just couldn’t. It physically hurt to say no.
“So, you wanted to meet up with me, did you stalk me?”
Sam chuckled, “No! I’m good friends with Shawn. Lucky coincidence.”
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked, staring down the coke holding myself back.
“Hold on, let me-- do you mind? I can go somewhere else.”
I couldn’t hold out any longer, “Share?”
“Are you sure?”
“Please.”
She smiled and we split the line. My heart raced the minute I took it in. I hadn’t felt this good in years. “Wow.” I gasped.
Sam smiled at me, “Some things never change.”
“Hey, I’ve changed, but god damn that was amazing.”
“I could never get myself clean.”
“Why not?”
“What was the point?” I could feel her mood change.
“Care to explain?”
“Remember my old job? Well I was signed to NDA’s, obviously, so I could never tell anyone who I met, why, where, anything; that took its toll. One of the last times I saw you actually, I found out I was pregnant.” there was a long pause after as tears filled her eyes, “I lost the baby because I wasn’t fully clean when I found out and couldn’t stay clean. I really let myself go. I keep trying to get clean, but it is an uphill battle, specially everytime I mention this. Shawn’s been doing his best to help, but he doesn’t get it.”
“Was it- uh-?”
“Yours?” she chuckled, wiping her tears, “I don’t know. I didn’t get far enough to find out. Maybe.”
My heart sank. I had a pit in my stomach, as she probably did. I don’t know what took over me- it was a whole different person- but I lifted her chin and leaned in.

Riley’s P.O.V.

Although I was enjoying the party, and being him, the jetlag was catching up to me. I just want to find Luke and go home.
“Sar! Have you seen Luke?”
She shook her head, continuing to dance on the table.
“Mikey, have you seen Luke?”
“I saw him walk outside with the award girl a while ago.”
I could feel the vomit in my throat, “Thanks.” I cautiously walked outside preparing myself for the worst. I couldn’t help it, it was just what I was used to with Luke, parties, and possibly drugs. I searched the massive backyard and my eyes quickly fell to Luke kissing another girl. I lost my breath, my voice, my will to stand. I fell to the ground crying, and I’m sure that’s what got his attention.
“Riley.” he jumped.
“Luke.” I cried.
“I can expl--”
“Don’t!”
He reached for me, “Don’t! I said don’t! I thought you were different! I thought this time was different! But you’re still the same shitty person you have always been! Go to hell, Luke.” I spat, running before he could respond, if he’d respond. My chest ached from the things I just said.
I made it to the end of the block and hid behind a bush to continue sobbing. I pulled out my phone and dialed the only number I could bring myself to dial.
“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you so late. Could you come get me?”

Notes

If anyone missed me- work has been crazy and I have been falling asleep right when I get home XD I have a few updates up my sleeve though! XOXO