Toxic Lips [l.h]

t h i r t e e n

I ignore Luke for a whole week.

It was easier said than done, really. I mean, he sits five feet away from me at work and lives across the hall. Honestly, It's been a miracle I haven't had to talk to him yet.

It's Friday afternoon, and I'm in a good mood. I finished writing three whole songs this week, having turned in the last one this morning; and Tyler is picking me up from work.

I'm really excited to see him. We've both been so busy with work all week, so tonight is just a night for ourselves.

The afternoon I followed Luke is still fresh in my mind. Every timw I look at him, more and more questions fill my brain. Who are those guys? What are 'the numbers'?

I shouldn't care. But the way Luke has been much more reserved this week makes my mind whizz.

Five O'clock rolls around and everyone gathers their things to leave. I chat with Skylar as we walk out.

"So what are your plans for the weekend?" I ask her.

She shrugs. "Not alot. Sleep, eat, repeat." She laughs. "You?"

"I'm seeing Tyler tonight," I say, smiling.

"Ohh," she says, nudging me with her shoulder. "I must know all the details over coffee."

I flush, my cheeks turning a light shade of red. "No, we don't...uh...we haven't..."

"Oh," Skylar says, smiling."Still, we should get some coffe. Sunday good?"

"Sunday's great."

"Perfect, see you then." Skylar unlocks her car and waves goodbye to me.

I look around the parking lot, but I don't see Ty;er's car anynwhere. I sit on a bench outside and pull my coat tightly around me.

I check my phone to see if he has texted me, but there are no messages. I text him asking where he is, but I don't get a reply. Maybe he's driving? Maybe he forgot the address?

He'll be here, my mind insists. he promised.

Car after car pulls into the lot, but not Tyler's. Mr Connery nods to me as he walks out, phone gainst his ear. Even Andrea makes her way out, smiling at me.

The sky begins to dim, the air gradually getting colder. I exhale, by breath swirling around like smoke in front of me. Where is he?

I check my phone. No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.

I wait another fifteen minutes before calling him, only to go straight to voicemail.

I put my head in my hands, why isn't he answering? He told me he'd pick me up. He dropped me off this morning, so I don't really have a way to get home. I guess I could walk. I guess I could walk. It's only about fifteen blocks.

I can't help the salty tears that start to fall, doesn't Tyler care about me enough to pick me up?

"Alaska?"

I look up to see non other than Luke standing in front of me, confusion written all over his face. I quickly wipe away the tears and stand up, straightening out my coat. I shouldn't have been crying over Tyler.

"What do you want?" I snap.

Luke stares at me. "Are you alright?" His tone so soft, it baffles me. He has never spoken to me in a way that wasn't angry, cocky or hurtful.

"Why are you out here by yourself?" He asks when I don't answer.

"Tyler is coming to pick me up," I say. "And then we're going to dinner and a movie."