LUKE'S P.O.V
"Why would you want me to talk to him?" Dre asks with a quizzical expression on her face.
The final class comes to an end. Our previous discussion was cut short.
"You can do what you want," I say. "As I said before, I don't want to influence your decision."
"But why, though? There has to be a reason."
There is a reason, what if TJ is the sender? Talking to him might be the only way to know if it's him.
We walk out of the school building, heading to the students' parking lot.
"Is Nathaniel taking you home?" I ask as soon as I see him at the other end of the parking lot.
He is still with Vincent and the same guys from lunch.
"I don't know," she replies.
"I can take you home," I offer quickly.
Dre steals a glance at Nathaniel.
"Okay," she agrees.
But unfortunately, Nathaniel's already coming our way.
He calls Dre, and it hurts seeing her eyes light up when he calls.
"I'll wait if you want," I say.
She nods eagerly, then turns to meet him.
My RAM truck is parked close by. I unlock it, then get in, waiting for Dre.
She and Nathaniel are not too far away; their facial expressions are serious.
Dre's more upset than serious.
Something taps against my window.
My head turns sharply to see what it is—rather, who it is.
I roll the window down.
"Fuck Ruth, don't scare me like that," I say.
She laughs as she has just pulled off the funniest prank.
"Can you take me home?" She asks, twisting her wavy hair around her finger, while leaning towards me.
"No. Can't Vincent take you?" I ask, still watching Dre.
"I don't want Vincent to take me, I want you to?" She says, reaching for my chin, turning me to look at her.
Her dark brown eyes twinkle, and her lips pout.
She looks away, gasping as she sees Vincent from a distance.
"Open the door," she pleads, "Now."
I unlock the back door to let her in.
I sigh. "I'm taking you home, and that's it."
I watch Ruth from the rear view mirror. She goes through her phone, unbothered.
"Why can't you stay over, like you used to?" She asks.
"I'm taking Dre home, so don't say nothing dumb," I warn.
"She doesn't know, does she?" Ruth asks.
"Know what?"
"About you and me, about us fucking."
"God," I say, rubbing my eyes with a hand, "can you not bring that up.
"You can tell her, I don't mind", Ruth says.
"Why the fuck will I do that?"
"So you're not telling her I'm your dirty little secret," Ruth teases, giggling at the back.
"One word from you and I swear to God I'll call Vincent," I threaten.
"Call him, I don't care. We've broken up," she says. "He just doesn't know it yet."
"Whatever, Ruth...can you stop talking?"
Before she responds, Dre is already on her way back.
I get out of the truck and go to meet her.
"He said he'll call me tonight. I guess he's not mad," she says as we walk.
"Is that good? Did he look mad?" She asks.
"Not really," I say.
Dre sits in the passenger seat, and I get in. Before Ruth can say anything, I speak.
"You know Ruth, right?" I say, gesturing to the back seat.
Dre looks to Ruth, then me.
"She needs a ride home."
"Sure," Dre says. She turns to Ruth, acknowledging her briefly.
I steal a glance at Ruth, my eyes pleading, begging her not to say anything stupid.
"Hi, Dre," she greets softly, while a coy smile plays on her lips.
Dre smiles awkwardly in return.
I start the engine, driving out of the student parking lot.
I turn left, taking the route opposite from Dre's house.
Dre keeps to her phone, and Ruth stays quiet at the back.
The drive to Ruth's place is quiet; no one speaks as I drive.
I'm approaching Ruth's destination when she clears her voice.
"Here's fine."
I bring the truck to a stop, killing the engine.
Ruth takes her god damn time to get out.
I see Dre watching her from the rear view mirror.
She looks at me, her expression very unreadable.
"Do you need help?" I ask impatiently, the annoyance evident in my tone.
"I'm good," Ruth says, finally alighting from the truck.
She closes the door, and I drive off immediately.
Dre twists her body in her seat so she's facing me completely.
"Lucas?" she calls, trying but failing to bite down her smile.
"Are you fucking Ruth Hilton?"
"Fuck," I say angrily.
"Oh my god, you are fucking her," she teases, "Since when?"
"I really don't want to talk about this," I beg.
I find it embarrassing that Dre knows about Ruth.
I'm in love with Dre, and she now knows my secret side piece, Ruth— fucking embarrassing.
"Why not? Don't you like her?"
"No," I say bluntly.
"Why not? She's very attractive, and she seems to really like you," Dre says.
"Oh my god!" Dre screams, tugging my arm, "But Ruth is with Vincent."
"Be careful, I'm driving," I warn.
"You dirty little thing, you're helping her cheat," Dre laughs playfully.
"I don't like her, and I doubt her and Vincent are together," I say.
"But why, though, why don't you like her? You guys will make a cute couple," Dre pesters.
She goes on.
"She's super hot, and you're very good looking."
My heart skips a beat.
Did Dre just say I'm good-looking?
"We've only ever talked about me and my boyfriends and all my shitty exes. I feel so selfish because I don't really ask about your love life."
"I swear it doesn't matter," I say.
"Of course it does, I'm your best friend, I should know about these things," Dre continues. "You know what... I'm going to set you up with someone," Dre announces proudly.
I reach Dre's house, parking in the garage.
I kill the engine, turning to only see Dre staring me down with a mischievous grin.
"What's your type of girl?"
"Huh?" I say, confused.
"If you don't like Ruth, who do you like then?" Dre asks.
Suddenly, my throat feels dry, and for the first time in a long time, this is the opportunity for me to confess. I mean, she's actually asking me.
I stare straight into her dark brown eyes, watching her lashes flutter each time she blinks. I begin to notice every single detail about her.
Every curl in her hair, the smile lines on her face, the fullness of her lips, her flawless skin.
The sparkle in her eyes as she waits in anticipation for my answer.
There's nothing more I want than to say her name, pour my heart to her right fucking now.
I'll be risking everything, a lifetime of friendship, and her trust because what best friend falls in love with another.
𝐴 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑡.
My conscience is not letting me rest; my mind racing, I might actually say it.
"A girl like you."