Roxy stood in the living room, fiddling with the edge of her tank top. Her gaze was fixed on the door, the urge to leave heavy in her chest. She needed air, needed space—needed to escape her own thoughts for a while.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0jLmxWmC8
“I’m going for a walk,” she announced, her voice quiet but firm.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibaxaVNrmo
Luke, lounging on the couch, immediately perked up. He set his guitar aside and watched her carefully. He recognized that tone, the kind of tone that meant she wasn’t just going for a walk—she was running from something.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSBrH4hMfM
“I’ll come with you,” he said, grabbing his jacket.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH5jIDHBE5
Roxy sighed, already expecting this. “Luke, I’m fine. I just need some air.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudosLImFWe
“And I just need to stretch my legs. Win-win,” he replied casually, slipping his arms into the worn leather sleeves.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AJiOfUOuZ
She didn’t argue further, knowing it would be useless. Instead, she rolled her eyes and slipped on her sneakers.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGydNYl2RA
Before they left, Luke called out to the kitchen where Alex and Reggie were. “Hey, we’re heading out. You guys want anything from the store?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vKIPwMYzP
Alex peeked out, his blonde hair falling in front of his face. He was wearing his usual hoodie and joggers. “Yeah, grab me a soda.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26yzcwvq8r
Reggie, sprawled on a chair in his ripped jeans and oversized t-shirt, chimed in. “Chips! And maybe a root beer?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyVWSbYnKG
Luke gave them a thumbs-up before following Roxy out the door.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qYoSFiFsv
---
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ822zRRlgS
The night air was cool, and the streets were quiet. Roxy walked with her hands in her pockets, her pace brisk. Luke kept up easily, his long strides matching hers.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAanLNLvtp
They walked in silence for a while before Roxy suddenly spoke.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8zKa0n1oQ
“Maybe I should just run away,” she said, her tone half-joking but with an edge of seriousness that made Luke glance at her sharply.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlmpJ43yNq
He stopped walking, grabbing her arm gently to make her stop too. “Hey, don’t joke about that.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTX4O39Jdf
“I’m not,” she admitted, looking down at her sneakers. “Sometimes it feels like it’d be easier, you know? Just... disappearing.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpQivB5MPY
Luke’s expression softened, and he released her arm. “If you’re serious about running away,” he said after a pause, “I’m coming with you.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7gaMDOrE0
Roxy blinked, startled. “What?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja1enBnqLo
“I mean it,” Luke said, his voice steady. “If you want to leave, I’m not letting you do it alone. We can pack snacks, grab some cash, and hit the road. Alex and Reggie will probably chase us down eventually, but hey, it could be fun for a while.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCpMFf58Vu
For a moment, Roxy just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Then a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinVzqKLAxC
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, shaking her head.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCpWCSR01U
“Maybe,” Luke said, grinning. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPX9ZdyZ89
They continued walking, the tension in the air easing slightly.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQcYCWW7Sp
---
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqZ7wsJj4u
At the convenience store, Luke grabbed drinks and snacks for Alex and Reggie but didn’t pick anything for himself. He noticed Roxy wasn’t reaching for anything either, her arms crossed and her expression distant.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr4hmIj1uu
“Not hungry?” he asked casually.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzHnirRv6f
She shook her head without looking at him.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JpegBQ3ij
Luke didn’t press further but grabbed a banana smoothie from the fridge. On their way back, he popped the lid and handed it to her.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpl0vf0xh7
“What’s this for?” Roxy asked, raising an eyebrow.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5d8VIeyRB
“You didn’t grab anything, and you need something,” he said simply.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcpu2XCr1A
“I’m fine.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5tZHytWeR
“Drink it anyway,” he insisted, nudging it toward her.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa9tEYSw2e
Roxy sighed but took a sip, and Luke grinned. “Tastes good, doesn’t it?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3rcbnRjU4
“It’s okay,” she muttered, but she took another sip.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbehieGHCZd
Luke chuckled, taking the smoothie back and drinking some himself. They passed it back and forth, sharing it as they walked home in the quiet night.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAclsxdBtr
---
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWCZAs6tGL
When they got back, the sound of music filled the air. Alex and Reggie were in the studio, mid-rehearsal, the energy in the room palpable.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRd33uB4Cm
“Chips and root beer delivered,” Luke announced, tossing the bag of snacks onto the counter.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP6hM4DMRB
Alex barely glanced up from his drum set, focused on the beat. Reggie, however, waved enthusiastically before diving into the bag.
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgQ4dXdW4C
As the music died down, Alex turned to Luke. “We’ve been thinking about the next song. Got any ideas?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7LoWYw4lI
Luke sat on the couch, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “We could go for something upbeat—maybe with a strong hook?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v4qwT68s3
Reggie nodded eagerly, munching on his chips. “Yeah, like something that gets stuck in your head but still has heart, you know?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4Xor7tAav
“What about Roxy?” Alex asked, glancing at her. “You’re singing in this one too, right?”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4mN5bP1Tc
Roxy shrugged, still sipping the last of the smoothie. “I don’t know. I might sit this one out.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvlP1pQAa1
Luke immediately shook his head. “No way. Your voice adds something special. You’re in.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFVUhKWkVE
Roxy rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “Fine. But only if it’s not too high-pitched. I’m not straining my voice for you guys.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAtmNYh1Uh
Luke smirked. “Deal. Let’s work on the melody tomorrow.”
191Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS1iIFYEsO
As the boys started packing up their instruments, Luke leaned closer to Roxy. “By the way, thanks for sharing the smoothie. Next time, I’m getting my own.”
ns216.73.216.63da2
