Chapter Text
— january 2017
students were back in classes after winter break. michael and sierra were moving on into their sophomore year at college. both excelling in their music production program. they both still had their job at the radio station, appeasing mr. deaton. michaels grades on his finals and ever improving demos had earned him a day time spot at the station as sierras co host.
michael was so excited he didn’t have to work the night shift anymore. michael didn’t necessarily mind it but it made work, school and a social life balance a little tideous. maybe michael could finally actually date someone; spend his time with someone other than sierra.
michael and sierra were walking to class together when they heard a familiar voice call out behind them. “hey, guys, wait up!” luke shouted towards the pair who were walking down the hall.
michael turned to make sure he wasn’t hearing things— sure enough, michael wasn’t. luke was jogging to catch up with them. luke looked different than michael had remembered. lukes hair was short again, he had lost his beautiful blonde curls.
luke’s chest wasn’t as broad, nor were his arms. luke looked pale for being a california boy. luke had some bags under his eyes, the soft shades of red and purples did compliment his beautiful light blue eyes.
“luke?” sierra questioned as if he wasn’t standing right in front of her, now. “what are you doing here? i thought you were taking online classes now?” sierras brows pulled together with a head tilt.
“um,” luke stumbled, biting down onto his slick black rip ring nervously. a habit michael missed seeing the boy do. “i’m easing back in. i’m still on part time hours but i am doing some hybrid classes. some in person. some online.” luke explained to sierra, assuming that she had informed michael in during his absence.
“im trying really hard.” luke admitted with a small, awkward smile to the pair that stood before him. luke nervously adjusted his back pack on his shoulder.
“glad to see you, luke.” michael admitted, he had a slight blush to his cheeks. michael picked at the skin around his thumb to avoid looking too into the conversation.
“i probably wouldn’t be if i was you after how mean i was when you showed up at my dorm.” luke said, giving michael permission to be mad at him for his behavior. michael shrugged it off.
luke was a dick. luke didn’t mean to lash out at michael. luke knew michael only showed up because sierra asked him to. michael was just trying to help a friend.
sierra looked at both of the boys. sierra was glad to have luke back. sierra had missed him and didn’t get to talk to him much at all anymore; an occasional text, but not meaningful conversations like they used to have.
“well, we better get to class.” sierra informed michael, looking at the time on her watch. sierra didn’t want to leave but she knew that if they weren’t in their seats, they would be in trouble.
luke smiled at the pair, bidding them goodbye and good luck this semester. luke promised sierra he would text her after his classes were over for the day. luke had missed his friends. luke knew he better get to class, as well, before he fell back into his old habits.
•
luke texted sierra and asked if the three of them could meet at the coffee shop like they used to. sierra informed luke that they did not meet up there anymore and asked if he could come to the radio station instead.
luke agreed to meet them there. it was only fair that he be the odd one out now after abandoning his friends for so long.
luke texted sierra when he arrived at the station. michael appeared at the glass door, opening it for luke. “thanks.” luke breathed out, his breath swirling in the winter air.
snow was falling again in new york. it was a light dusting this year around. luke’s cheeks were tinted pink from the chill of the wind. luke wasn’t prepared for it to start snowing today so he only had a crew neck sweater on. luke wasn’t wearing a coat or a hat.
“no problem.” michael answered with a nod of his head. “you’re welcome.” michael corrected himself. michael’s lips curled up into a smile at luke standing in the radio station. michael was really happy to see luke after all this time.
luke sighed deeply before looking at michael. luke was desperate to look into michael’s bright green, emerald eyes. luke got his wish. michael locked eyes with luke. michael furrowed his brows at the blonde boy as if to ask what?
luke noticed michael’s hair was blue now. a vibrant blue color. despite the fact that luke knew michael constantly dying his hair was not good for it, it looked so soft. luke had to resist the urge to wrap his fingers in it.
luke also noticed it looked like michael had pierced his ears. luke noticed sliver rings in his lobes. michael looked better than luke remembered. michaels arms were filling out with some muscle. michael looked more tan than he did in the fall— luke assumes that michael went home to australia for winter break and probably spent time in the sun.
“i really am sorry i lashed out at you.” luke blurted out. “i was being a dick.” luke admitted. “i-“ luke sighed at himself. “i was going through some shit. i still am. i’m working through it.” luke stammered over his words, trying to give michael some sort of explanation.
“‘s fine man. no hard feelings.” michael told luke, wanting luke to stop apologizing to him. even though michael waited months to hear an apology from luke, it didn’t feel right anymore. michael didn’t want luke to be sorry.
michael remembered how terrified luke looked when he saw sierra and michael at his door with the ra. “how much trouble did you get in with asher? is that his name?” luke chuckled at michael, misremembering the name of a man he had only met once.
“ashton.” luke corrected with a head tilt. “it wasn’t great. that’s why i had to drop back my hours.” luke informed michael, nervously. it was partly true.
ashton had found the booze that luke attempted to hide in his dresser. ashton could tell from the state of luke’s desk and the size of his pupils that night that the boy was doing more than just drinking. but without evidence, ashton couldn’t do much about it.
ashton encouraged luke to take a step back and get ahold of himself or the next time he would have to get the dean involved. so, that is when luke resorted to only do drugs at the sorority or frat houses with arzayela. luke spent most of his nights there instead of his dorm. luke would take his classes in his room during the day and still party at night.
“well,” michael started, a small smile on his lips. “i’m glad to see you during the day time again. and not drunk.” michael admitted to luke. as much as michael liked relaxed luke, he preferred to see him not with his bitch of a girlfriend.
“yeah, you too, man. you still with crystal?” luke questioned, genuinely curious. lukes question made michael belly laugh.
michael tipped his head back, his adams apple bobbing. michael perfectly plump, wine colored lips parted, showing off his teeth. michaels obnoxiously loud laugh filled the studio. michael pulled his hands up to cover his mouth. luke missed michael’s laughter.
“oh man.” michael chuckled again, with a wide smile. “you have got to come around more often, hemmings.” michael said, throwing his arm around luke’s shoulders.
luke smiled fondly at the nickname. lukes dimples showing in his cheeks for the first time in a long time. luke felt fluttering in his stomach from michael’s laughter and touch.
maybe, just maybe, luke’s life was finally going to turn around.