I like you

Rushing into the hallway, I wanted to get as far as possible from this school drama. I was disgusted and appalled, but I couldn't understand if I was angrier about myself or about Michael.

"Where are you running too like that?"

I turned around and saw Luke.

"Ah...hello. I didn't notice you here." I smiled as soon as I saw him.

"You look like you're about to cry...is it because of the rumor?" I looked at him in disbelief and hurt.

"Did you believe them?" I asked him. The question came out more forcefully than I intended.

He smiled and shook his head. "No, of course not. Guys like Michael need to maintain their popularity. Apparently there are no other ways left for him, and he decided to puff himself up at your expence."

I frowned at this. 'Mike is a jackass.'

He came closer to me. "Come on. Let's go get some clear air." I smiled and took his hand "OK."

I expected to head outside, but Like led me in the opposite direction. "Where are we going?"

He smiled mischievously. "You'll see. My secret place."

I climbed up an assess ladder up the roof of the school. A cold wind hit me in the face and whistled in my ears. The fresh air and the mild coolness calmed my nerves.

I silently walked across the roof, looking down at the schoolyard with it's tables, at the forest, and at the distant horizon.

"Do you like it?" Luke asked. With hopefulness in his voice.

"I like it very much!" Luke smiled, and I realized that he was trying to impress me. "It's very nice up here."

He nodded. "Yes it is. I always come here during lunch. It's a pity that's it's getting cold."

"Do you always seek out private places?" I asked him.

He shivered at the thought of it. "I don't really do crowds." He paused. "Aren't you hungry by the way?"

"I didn't pack lunch." I didn't know that he was going to bring me here.

He smiled. "That's OK. I got you." Luke took out containers with food. Our families love to cook. Take your pick."

I picked a milk sandwich. "To be honest, I'm as hungry as a wolf." I said as I took the pack of food from him.

"Then a salad won't be enough. I hope you like chicken." He said with another pack of food.

"Yes, thank you." We sat on the parapet. At that moment my anger has calmed down already.

" Wait, it's cold out here. Better sit on my briefcase." He said after feeling the chilling Coldness of the roof floor.

I smiled at this. "Thank you." I looked down at the schoolyard again. There were not many people in the schoolyard. Apparently, the students got scared off by the cool wind, and they decided to stay inside. I ate silently, watching what was happening below, and then Luke broke the silence.

"For the first time in my life, I want to get closer to someone in Saintfour. Not just making small talk, but to really communicate—to share all my secrets and really listen." He looked at me for a long time. He had such a a thoughtful expression on his face that I remained silent, scared of interrupting the flow of his thoughts. "But I'm afraid of it..."

"Why?" I asked him quietly.

"I'm afraid of becoming attached. Of putting down roots. But despite this fear, I want us to get closer. I feel like you also might want this..." Luke jumped down of the parapet and stood in front of me, taking my hands in his. "Since we first run into each other in the forest , I just couldn't forget your face. And today, when I saw you upset, I understood..."

He fell silent. We looked at each other without saying a word. Luke's hand wrapped around my waist, slightly pulling me towards him. His breath burned on my neck.

I don't know why but the first thought that came to my mind is. 'do I want this?'

Luke froze, watching my reaction. I smiled and looked up at him. "I like you too." Luke's eyes widened with surprise and joy. He pulled me towards himself and stroke my cheek.

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear that." His lips touched my hair. I moved closer to him and his hands tightened around my waist , pulling me closer to him. Another moment and our lips merged into a kiss. At first slowly, then more and more passionate, Luke kissed me like he had longed for it.

I was so happy and excited. 'He is so gentle, so... caring.' even though he had longed for it, he's still thinking about me. 'i always to feel calm around him...I don't worry about anything...'

I forgot to breathe, and my consciousness got clouded. I barely find the strength to withdraw. For a while we stayed in an embrace, not daring to disturb the silence. After a minute, Luke gently—reluctantly—opened his arms. "I don't want to let you go anywhere."

I laughed and looked at him. "Then don't."

"But is seemed that lunch period is over. We gotta go." He looked like a dejected puppy.

"We still have some time. We hugged again and didn't dare to let go. But the bell ranged eventually, a d we have no choice.

We went down the roof, into the corridor. "Thank you for sharing your lunch." I thanked him.

"Anytime." Luke suddenly tensed up. All his attention was focused on something behind me. I looked at him and asked what's up. He points to some guy. "You see that guy?" Behind me was a man with a box talking to Candy. He wanted to catch her attention , but she turned away, avoiding him altogether. "That is Sam's stepfather."