I woke up much later, my limbs sore from the awkward position I had fallen asleep in. All I did was to make cereal, churn it down my throat and go back to sleep.
Reality was honestly just not my forte right now, and it was already sundown. I didn't intend to make too much difference here. It isn't my place, and for all I know, the me that lived during this time would be lurking around somewhere, waiting to return to her place.
A gentle knock on my door woke me up, but it was the bright rays of the sun that finished the job. I sat up and looked around. It was all in a mess, but I was expecting only Bernice, so I didn't even bother.
The slight knock came again, and I stood, moving my hair away from my face, and slapping off the few strands that had clung unto my lips. I could remember very well that was why I cut my hair short, because I ended up eating it in my sleep.
I opened the door, my face a bloated mess that my squinted eyes had somehow found a place in. They widened however, when Luke's ever smiling face came into full view, as if to absorb the idea of having him in front of my door in the morning.
"I guess you don't have classes today." He said with a mischievous smile. "And it looks like you slept well, so I won't ask." He gave a chuckle.
"L..Luke! What are you doing here?" I asked, slapping my face to alertness.
He laughed at that, his feet slightly rubbing on the floor. "I came to see my friend. I told you I was going to."
He had? Hell, how was I supposed to get used to Luke wanting to be around me when I lived months of my life watching him avoid me at all costs?
"Uhm...I guess I forgot. Come in." I said then turned to the pigsty I had made of my house.
Before I could turn and buy some time for myself by closing the door on him and arranging in the mean time, he had already stepped in behind me.
I turned to him, a small apologetic smile on my face.
He smiled back. "I guess we all go through it. Do you have classes today?"
I did, but I would rather stay here. "No. I don't."
He nodded. "I was going to take you to college because I am also free today, but I guess it's cleaning day."
Before I said a word, he removed his coat and placed it on the couch, then removed his boots. He walked in, rolling his sleeves.
"Where do you prefer we start from?"
"Wait. You can't clean my house for me."
"Why can't I?" He said, titling his head to the side.
Was Luke always this considerate and kind?
"It's not right for a stranger to..."
"We are friends, Karla. And...I don't think you have washed up yet. There is still a little bit of drool on the side of your face." He smiled, his eyes shining with mischief.
"What sort of guy says that to a girl?" I said, trying hard to keep my embarrassment masked under feigned anger.
"It is an indication you slept well, so I should be happy to see it. Now, go wash up, and I will take care of things here." He turned me around, gently giving me a push, and I walked the rest of the way to the bathroom.
I guess it was easier to bond when you have something in common. Even though what we have in common is as dark as cheating parents, I guess it brought us closer.
I brushed my teeth and showered as quickly as I could, so he wouldn't do all of the work himself.
I walked out in my oversized pink hoodie only to find the house clean, and Luke was getting rid of the trash.
"Wow."
He got rid of it, then came back in dusting his hand.
"I got rid of the cookies too." He looked a bit disappointed.
"No, Luke...I just...felt too bad to eat them." I said, hoping we wouldn't have to bring that up again. I haven't even been in touch with my father ever since.
He smiled. "And..I reclaimed the 'my first gift to Luke' box. Found out it was my hoodie, so I am glad to accept it once again."
I laughed at that, savouring just how easy things were with him.
"Well, I am glad you have. I was wondering what to tell everyone if they saw me wearing a guy's hoodie."
He laughed heartily, and I could tell his imaginations ran wild. "Have you had breakfast?"
I shook my head and he gave his forehead a small pat.
"That's a silly question. It seemed like I had woken you up."
We walked to the kitchen together, where he searched around.
"I am not making you too uncomfortable, am I?" He asked, his tone becoming a little serious.
"No, why do you ask?"
He shrugged. "This is my first attempt at being friends with anyone, so...I am not sure how to go about it." His gaze was intense, and for some seconds, we let his words hang in the air.
I watched his eyes, as the light in the kitchen reflected in his dark brown orbs. I hoped I could see further than this considerate person he was, someone that was the polar opposite of the husband I had come to know.
"Well...I guess I deserve an award for being your first friend." I said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah, and probably the first person I would be celebrating my birthday with, apart from my family." He said with a small smirk, then resumed looking around. I wasn't even sure I had groceries.
"Your birthday?"
He nodded. "Looks like you are out of groceries, so...instead of going on a shopping spree, what do you think of...going on a trip for my birthday? I have always wanted to go on a trip for my birthday...with a friend."
It felt like that time machine had stopped, because everything seemed to freeze for me.
"A...a trip?"
He smiled. "Would you...like to take a short trip with me?"