Designated Driver • lrh { complete }

10 ; bonus

I wrote this scene a long time ago and it was supposed to be the entrance to the book but it like disappeared somehow. But here it is, edited a bit😁

"Come on, Luke. Ditch Phineas. Come upstairs with me.", a girl with skimpy shorts and long black hair whined.

"Um, it's Finley and I'm standing right here.", I snapped. I was fed up with this party. Drunk Luke wanted to stay for 3 whole hours. Sober Finley did not.

   "Fin, I'm just gonna go upstairs with Rebecca.", Luke slurred.

   "Regina.", the girl corrected.

  Luke cackled, "Right, Regina. I'll be right back."
 
   "No, Luke.", I demanded. "Let's go, you're gonna be sick in the morning. You'll need sleep."

  "Sorry, Gina. Finley says I can't go.", Luke whined like a small child. I laughed and grabbed his hand, locking our fingers so that he wouldn't get out of my sight. "Bye." Luke began to walk away, towing me along after him.

  "Uh buh-bye.", I chirped as I waved back to the girl, smiling sarcastically. She dramatically rolled her eyes and moved on to a new victim. Luke weaved through the crowd, expertly dodging drink-spillers and cocaine-snorters.

  Finally, we made it outside. Fresh, clean, not-polluted-by-various-smokes air swam into my lungs.

  Luke yelped, "Woo! Happy new year!" He threw his fists in the air.

  I giggled at the sight. "Luke, hun, it's only 11:50. Not quite the new year, yet, bud."

  He looked confused. "Oh. Alright."

  I held back more laughter. "Let's find your car and I'll drive you home." He nodded and held my hand as we ventured towards the mass of parked cars. Luke tripped over several holes and roots in the yard while we looked but we eventually found his clean, slick pickup truck. Conveniently (note the subtle sarcasm), his key fob was broken, so I had to unlock the doors manually. I leaned Luke against the passenger side door and walked to the driver's side. I shoved the key in the door and, just as I got it unlocked, saw Luke slide off the truck and fall down to the sidewalk below.

  "Shoot!", I whisper-shouted. I rushed over to Luke. "Are you okay, Luke?!" I inspected him quickly for scratches, bumps, and bruises.

  "Ouch.", he pouted, with a small smile still playing on his lips.

  A laugh broke out of me. "So, you're okay?" He nodded and his blonde hair flopped into his eyes.

  "I'm fine." I nodded and hoisted him up, using all my might.

  I loaded him into the truck. During the three minute drive to Luke's house from the party, Luke managed to fall fast asleep. I tugged him out of the car and wrapped my arms under his armpits and around his shoulders. I knew his mom would be asleep. She always said that the "late night life wasn't her style", even on nights like New Year's Eve.

  Luke's feet thudded as they hit each stair, but somehow he stayed asleep. I finished the long grueling process as I threw him onto his bed and tucked him in. I peeked over at the clock on his bedside table. 12:00. I kissed his cheek, halfway between the corner of his lips and the beginning of his cheekbone.

  "Happy New Year, Luke."