Dearest Luke

Chapter Five - Taking A Break

☽ Luke ☾

I avoided Nia for the rest of the weekend. Well, as much as I could. I had meant every word I had said. I supported her decisions and life choices. She wanted to be an English teacher at the Warcester High School and who was I to stop her? Or stand in her way? No, I wasn’t going to do that. It made my heartache in a way that I didn’t even truly understand. Now, I was on my way back to the council. It was already late, but I wasn’t too worried. Tomorrow was the start of the new week and I had a plan. I would speak to Florence and see if I couldn’t work over weekends as well. Nia had her whole life planned out and where did I fit into her plans? I wasn’t going to be busy with community service forever and soon I would be residing at the pack forever. Had I been too quick in joining? Should I reject her? All of these thoughts were going through my mind as I pulled up alongside the council apartment. True to her word, I spotted Florence sitting on one of the benches. I quickly got out and grabbed my bag before heading over to her.

“Florence,”

“Oh Luke, did you have a good drive?” she asked as she hugged me. I always felt that when Florence hugged me, I was surrounded by motherly love.

“I did, how are you?” I asked as I pulled away.

“I’m fine, but I take it you aren’t?” the way she spoke to me and the way she looked at me reminded me of a time when my life was much less complicated. I could see the twinkle in her blue eyes, the way her lips tilted slightly upwards as she tried not to smile. Of course, I did the only thing I could think of. I let my head fall back and laughed. Florence didn’t miss a beat and she joined me. She always teased me about my silent issues. “Oh Luke,” I heard her gasp. I clutched my tummy and breathed in deeply, urging myself to calm down. We avoided looking at each other for a moment, otherwise, we’d both just burst into pits of useless laughter.

“How is it that you know me so well?” I asked her curiously as we sat down the bench.

“What do you mean?” she questioned as she glanced at me. She still had that teasing smile. “Oh Luke, you found out about Nia, didn’t you?” her whole mannerism changed as the conversation turned serious. I didn’t bother to say anything as I just gazed out at nothing in particular. “What’s bothering you about it? Talk to me…”

“I just feel like she has everything planned out and now here I come along…” my voice trailed off as I thought about not wanting my mate to change her life or her decisions to accommodate me.

“And? Do you think she cannot make space for you in her life? I mean, Luke, when I found out that Nia is your mate…” she reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her as she dragged my face in her direction. “I was happy for you, you aren’t a born shifter, Luke. Nia’s fascination with the human race gives you that opportunity to live as you used too,”

“Who says its what I want?” I asked her, not really wanting an answer.

“Isn’t it? Have you grown so accustomed to being, a shifter that you can’t imagine going back to human life?” Florence let go of my chin as she sat back and relaxed against the wooden boards of the bench. I thought about her question for a long time. “Look, Luke, honey,” she placed her hand on my knee, pulling me from my thoughts. “You are making this so much more complicated than it needs to be. Decide what you want, talk to Nia, decide together. Do not underestimate the power of the connection between you and your mate,” Florence stood up and smiled down at me. “Have faith in your mate,” she said before walking away. I let out a sigh as I thought about her advice. Had I gotten so accustomed to being a shifter that I didn’t want to go back to the human world? The answer was simple: yes. It wasn’t that I hated my human life but being a shifter made me feel like I belonged. Despite the whispers and finger-pointing, I felt like this is the life I was meant to live and now? My mate wanted a life I had left behind.

☽☽☾☾

The week had been long and filled with thoughts and possibilities, but Florence’s words echoed through my mind almost daily.

“Decide what you want, talk to Nia, decide together. Do not underestimate the power of the connection between you and your mate. Have faith in your mate,”

Friday evening, those words still playing around in my mind as I pulled up to the house. This time it was a different feeling and a different welcoming. I spotted Nia sitting on the porch steps. Was she waiting for me? My breathing got heavy as I sat behind the wheel watching her. Her face was tilted upwards and her eyes were closed. The gentle night breeze caressed her honey-colored hair. Her soft lips called to me and I slowly climbed out of my truck. The second I closed the door, she turned to me, her velvety blue eyes latched onto mine and she got up and ran to me. I caught her easily enough as I breathed in her scent. Wrapped around each other, she gently moved back and covered my face with kisses. I had no control over the blush that tinted my cheeks as I was not used to so much affection.

“I missed you,” she whispered before she crashed her soft lips against mine. I didn’t hesitate to take control of the kiss as I licked her lips. Nia immediately submitted and parted for me to enter her moist mouth, tasting her. I groaned loudly as I pulled her right up against my chest, feeling her soft feminine body pressed against mine was a feeling I didn’t even realize I had been longing for. The passionate kiss turned heated as her hands roamed my broad back.

“I missed you too,” I said as we finally tore apart, desperate for air. She smiled as she brought her hand up and touched my jaw.

“We need to talk,” she said softly, and I nodded. Nia took my hand and led me into the house. I didn’t look around; I didn’t care for anything or anyone at this point. My whole focus was on my mate. Up the stairs and into my bedroom. Nia closed the door behind me, and I sat down on the bed. Looking at her, I could tell that she was not only aroused but she was fighting with herself. I wasn’t sure what was wrong, but I quickly stood back up and pulled her into my arms, holding her close in an embracing hug.

“What’s wrong?” I gently asked her a moment later.

“Luke, I know I let you down. I know I disappointed you and I am sorry. I got so caught up in my own head that I didn’t think how my silence would affect you. Please, forgive me,” it was clear to me that she spoke from her heart. Although it nearly broke me in half to see her in such distress. I quickly shook my head and rubbed her arms gently.

“Sshh, there is nothing to apologize for, in fact, if anything, I am the one that should be apologizing,” I admitted with a sad smile. Nia pulled away and sat down on the edge of the bed and I shrugged as we stared at each other.

“What do you mean? Why are you the one that needs to be apologizing?” she asked, confused as she frowned. I shrugged again.

“Honestly Nia, I overreacted. Hearing your plans and choices to be so involved with the human world, threw me off guard. I know I’m a changed shifter, but I’ve already embraced this lifestyle and the idea of going back…” my voice trailed off as I then avoided her intense gaze. I didn’t want to disappoint her, I mean, I just found her.

“What are you saying, Luke?” I could see that she was struggling to understand me, and I took a deep breath and sat down beside her. Not too close but not too far away.

“What I’m saying is, I won’t ever stand in the way of your choices. I just want you to know that I’m not prepared to go back to that life. Human life. I wasn’t all that happy, and I like this life, you know?” I still avoided her as I looked at the polished wooden floor instead. “I don’t know how we will work around all this,” I finally admitted.

“Look I still have a year left of college, after that who knows what will happen. I do understand that you don’t want to go back but I never said we’d have too. I’ve been commuting my whole life between the pack and school. I never planned to move into town or anything like that,” she explained. I nodded, lost in thought, taking in her words, and processing them. “You are my mate and it doesn’t matter if you had one before, what matters to me, is making each other happy. So,” she took my hand in hears and I glanced up at her to see her sweet smile. “I’ll continue going to college, you’ll continue your community service and when you are done, we can talk again. How does that sound?” I nodded, but I was wondering if this was her way of putting our relationship on ice. “We don’t need to hurt each other over this,” she added.

“Ok,” I mumbled out. Nia let go of my hand and stood up. I didn’t look at her at all. She leaned in and kissed my forehead before leaving my room. Let’s just say I once again avoided her throughout the weekend, although, in my defense, she was hardly around.

☽ Nia ☾

“You told him what?” Joyce screeched out during lunch on Monday afternoon.

“Basically, I told him that we’d talk about us after his community service thing,” I repeated. Joyce looked skeptical and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Look, right now, we hardly see each other anyway,” I added.

“I don’t understand Nia, he is your mate, I thought you two were like…glued to the hip or something,” Joyce took a bite out of her tuna mayo toasted sandwich.

“It’s not like that, I mean, sure, I miss him, and I hate being apart from him but…” I took a deep breath. “He isn’t prepared to live a human life. Do you know what that means?” I asked her. Joyce shook her head as she continued to eat. “It means, goodbye to my plans of getting an apartment, it means, goodbye to having a social life,” I stated as I watched Joyce’s eye get bigger.

“What? Why? I mean, he was once human right? So why is he being such a d**k about it?” she asked.

“I don’t know, honestly, when it came out that he is a,” I looked around and then lowered my voice. “Changed shifter, I thought I hit the jackpot,”

“I’d say,” Joyce finished off her sandwich and then opened up a packet of tomato crisps. I stuck my hand in before she did and took out a handful. Munching thoughtfully on the crisps, I wasn’t sure if I had made the right choice or not.

“I don’t know, I guess we’ll just have to see…” I said after a while.

“So, tell me, what did he say about the fact that you weren’t around this weekend?” she asked.

“Nothing, he didn’t say a word. The whole weekend was pretty much the same as last weekend, the only difference was, I was out…socializing,” I said as I thought about my very active weekend.

“What did you get up too? I mean, last I saw you was here, on Friday afternoon,” she said. Joyce had gone away for the weekend to see her sister in the next town over.

“I didn’t do anything on Friday evening. After my talk with Luke, I went to my room and relaxed,” I said.

“Didn’t he want to spend more time with you?” she asked between bites of crisps.

“Nope, I know he is tired after a long week, so, you know. Anyway, Saturday morning I came into town, visited the library. I met up with Matilda for lunch and then I went back home. I didn’t see him around anywhere, so I took a nap, and then I went to the movies with Matilda and Cameron,” I told Joyce all about my weekend but when I mentioned Cameron she put up her hand and shook her head.

“No, no, no, you didn’t? Omg! Nia! How could you?” she didn’t look happy and I knew why. “You know Cameron has the biggest crush on you!”

“Yeah, but we went as friends, besides Matilda was there,” I shrugged. It wasn’t really such a big deal, was it? And if it was then I better not tell her that I went to their house on Sunday.

“Hmm, and what did you do yesterday?” she asked. I looked away, feeling guilty. Maybe she had a point. “Tell me, Nia,”

“Cameron invited me over to watch some old movies, so yeah, I was at their house yesterday,”

“NIA!” Joyce yelled out, causing a few of the other students to glance our way curiously. Joyce coughed and leaned forward, lowering her voice. “You have a mate and you are allowing sweet poor Cameron to think he stands a chance with you,”

“No, I mean, he knows we are just friends,” I said nervously. I wasn’t so sure of myself anymore.

“Oh, come on Nia! You and I and well…” she spread her arms and waved them around to make her point. “Hell, everyone knows Cameron has the biggest crush on you!” I lowered my head in shame. She was right. As usual. Joyce stood up and started stuffing her things into her backpack. “Look, you know I love you but right now you need to get your s**t sorted. Breaking up with Luke-”

“I di-” I started to interrupt her but she quickly finished her sentence.

“You did, so, I personally think you need to think about what you really want Nia,” Joyce slung her backpack over her shoulder, threw me a weak smile, and rushed off. We still had about fifteen minutes left of lunch, so Joyce leaving the way that she did, when she did, said a lot. She was pissed. Hell, she was pissed at me and I was starting to see that she had every right to be. First things first, I needed to set things straight with Cameron. I quickly took out my phone and sent him a text.

☽☾Nia – Hey, can we talk?

Luckily it didn’t take long for him to answer.

☽☾Cameron – Sure, where you at?

☽☾Nia – At the cafeteria

☽☾Cameron – Ok, on my way

I sat back and waited for him to join me. I avoided the curious gazes from those around me as I hoped he would get here soon. A few minutes later, my phone pinged. 

☽☾Cameron – Sorry, can we meet up after class? I have to head back to my home, I forgot my science textbook

I sighed as I read his message. Damn it, Cameron.

☽☾Nia – Ah, ok, shoot me a text when you are done, sorry about your textbook

I wasn’t sure if he was lying or not, maybe he knew what I wanted to say and was avoiding me. Or maybe he really did forget his textbook. I stood up, grabbed my own backpack, and headed towards the English department. I had my all-time favorite subject next.

☽☽☾☾

I struggled to get my phone out as I heard it ping. My last class of the day was almost done, and I couldn’t wait to get home and relax.

☽☾Cameron – Hey, I’m done. Meet you at the fountain

☽☾Nia – Ok, I’ll be out in 5

“And that’s all for today,” Professor Blue shouted out and I sighed in relief. Everyone started getting up, picking up their bags and books before rushing out of the large lecture room. “Don’t forget! The essay is due tomorrow!” I growled out, causing two girls to look my way curiously but I quickly smiled.

“Ugh, essays,” I rolled my eyes and they giggled before rushing out. I threw my books and pens in my bag and hurried out. Luckily most of them had already gotten out so when I stepped outside, I clearly spotted Cameron sitting by the fountain. I took my time walking over to him as I thought about the things I needed to say. “Hey Cameron,” I greeted him.

“Hey Nia, what’s up?” he smiled as he shifted slightly, making space for me on the concrete bench.

“Um, Cameron, I just wanted to clear up something,” I started, sitting down. He was smiling as he looked at me and I thought about how much fun we had over the weekend. But still, at least from my side, we were just friends.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“So, you know I like you,” I started again.

“I like you too Nia,” he said eagerly interrupting me.

“Yeah but the thing is, I value our friendship so much,” I decided to go for a different approach. “And I would never do anything to jeopardize our friendship,” I took a chance and turned to face him, and I was actually shocked to see him still smiling.

“Aw, Nia, I value our friendship too,” he gushed out happily.

“So, you know, about that crush…” I hesitated, unsure of how to continue.

“Crush?” he asked as he frowned. Suddenly he laughed and ran his fingers through his blonde curls. “Oh, um, yeah, about that…” he looked around awkwardly, and finally he looked at me. “I’ve always liked you Nia, and yeah, I’ve always had a crush on you. But, ah…I met someone,”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, she’s in my bio class and honestly, I know we are friends and I would never do anything to lose you. Megan is great and she’s agreed to go out with me this Saturday,” he explained. Megan? The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t remember. Was he lying or?

“Oh…” the single word sounded disappointed, but I was anything but. In fact, I was quite relieved.

“I’m glad we cleared the air about that though,” he said as he bumped his shoulder against mine. “I’ve been over my crush for about a year now,” he added, and I blushed. Damn it! Joyce and Matilda are dead.

“Right, of course, I just didn’t want you to get the wrong idea…” I trailed off as I shifted uncomfortably on the bench.

“About? Oh! Do you mean about this past weekend? Nah, its cool Nia. I enjoy hanging out with you and no one else will watch old movies with me, so…” he stood up. “Anyway, I have to go, see you tomorrow,” he waved as he rushed off and I smiled. Oh well, at least that was sorted out. My smile fell away as I frowned. Now, I just had to deal with the whole Luke situation.