XXII

"I'm sad you're leaving," I say when Luke and I are sitting against a big tree in the sun. We're having lunch in a park, enjoying the last hours we have together before Luke heads of to another city to continue his tour.

"Me too," he says with a sigh. He looks at me and takes off his sunglasses. He smiles a little and then wraps his arm around me. "But we're going to call and text every day."

I nod and lean a little against him. "Yes. We're definitely going to do that, for sure." I nod again and look at the people around me. A few kids are playing football, kicking the ball with wide smiles on their faces and having the time of their lives. Some parents are walking with their kids, enjoying the sun with a nice walk through the park. Others are just like me and Luke picknicking and enjoying a nice lunch in the sun. Some are walking their dog.

All people are doing different things, but what I see that's all the same is the smile on everyone's faces. Everyone is happy. Like it should be.

"Are you going to be alright, Jimi?" Luke puts his hand under my chin and makes me look at him. I swallow the lump that formed in my throat because of his face being so close to me, and I nod softly. "Yeah, are you?"

He nods slowly. "Yes, yes I am. I'm going to be fine. I'm finally back on track, you know? All because of you. I'm feeling happy again. The happiest I've ever been."

My lips curl into a smile and I grab Luke's hand in mine. I lean my head on his shoulder and sigh a little. "I'm so glad you're feeling happy, Luke. That's what you deserve."

Luke rubs his thumb over my hand and I can feel his breathing becoming faster. "We all deserve to be happy. Everyone around the world. It's the best feeling ever, I can tell you," he says with a huge smile. He looks down at me again.

"Thank you for reminding me how amazing it is to be happy at all times, Jimi. I'm really thankful for you. I'm so glad you're in my life and I wouldn't know where I would be if it wasn't for you to come into my life. You made me feel alive again, so thank you."

My smile grows wider and I lean more against him, wrapping my arms around Luke. I hug him tightly. "You're welcome Luke. I'd do anything for you to be happy."

We hug for a little longer. Then Luke pulls himself away from me. "We should go. I still have to pack my stuff. Our flight is in four hours."

I nod and stand up. We grab everything and make sure to clean up everything. We then walk out of the park, back towards the hotel. Our lasr hours together for a very long time starts now.

-

"I'm going to miss you," Calum says when we're walking towards the right gate. "You're going to miss me?" I frown and look at him.

"Yeah! You've becoming such a support to us. I mean, you make Luke happy and you're there for him. That makes us happy, you know? People who support Luke support us, and we support those people back. We really like you. It's sad that we can't really hang out more so me, Ashton and Michael can get to know you some more but I'm sure we will in the future." Calum says. He looks at me and smiles.

"Thank you for your kind words, Calum." I laugh and give him a hug when we stop walking. We're at the right gate. They're leaving soon.

He hugs me back. "You're welcome. Just telling you what's on my mind." I smile and pull away from him. "I'm sure we'll become good friends in the future. We should play iMessage games. I hope you're better than Luke, he sucks at those."

"I heard that!" Luke gasps and pouts. "I'm the best at them."

"That's a damn lie, you always lose!" Michael exclaims. He looks at Luke while shaking his head. Luke is still pouting. "I'm really not that bad."

"Yea you are." Ashton nods. I laugh. I love how everyone is against Luke. I mean, he's really bad. He really is.

"Alright fine, I'm bad at iMessage games but so what! I can sing." Everyone starts to laugh. "Well, you're not wrong."

Calum grabs my phone and puts his number in my contacts. "Here, text me some games. Can't wait to beat your ass." I roll my eyes. "I'm going to win." Michael walks towards us. "I believe she is, Cal. You're also not that good."

"But better than Luke!" Michael nods. "True that. We should all play Crazy 8, I mean that's a sick game. I'm gonna beat your asses."

"Okay the game is on Clifford!" I laugh and shake my head. "Okay we're playing Crazy 8 when you guys land in New York. How does that sound?"

They all nod. Michael pulls me in a hug after that and smiles. "Stay safe! Don't miss me too much." I laugh and hug him back. "Hmm don't worry about that!"

Michael lets go of me and walks away with Calum, so I can say goodbye to Ashton. He was talking to Luke. Ashton also pulls me in a hug and rubs my back a little. "I'm gonna miss you woman. You make our Luke the happiest."

"She really does huh? Not even you guys," Luke says with a laugh. I smile. "I'm glad you all are in my life." I let go of Ashton and look up to him. "You really are some nice guys. I'm glad I know all of you know."

"We're also happy to know you, Jimi! See you soon I hope. You should visit us this tour." Ashton smiles. "Luke will pay."

"Hey who says that?" He pushes Ashton away. "Get away, she's my friend."

"Friend or girlfriend?" Luke rolls his eyes. "Get on that damn plane Ash." I laugh. Ashton winks at me and leaves. He walks towards Michael and Calum to go and talk to them instead.

Luke sighs and looks at me. "Don't listen to them they're stupid." I grin and cross my arms. "They're better at iMessage games though."

Luke rolls his eyes again. He places his hands on my arms and separates them, pushing them aside so my chest is free. He places his hands on my waist and makes small circles with his thumb on my exposed skin. Shivers run down my spine and my breath hitches in my throat.

Luke looks down at me and moves himself a little closer to me. "They may be better at iMessage games, but I'm better at anything else when it comes to you."

"What do you mean by that?" My voice doesn't come off as strong, it is more like a whisper. But it's hard enough for Luke to hear.

He smiles. "I'm better at knowing what you like, at making you feel good, making you feel happy. I'm better at being your friend, having you feel like you're important and loved. I'm better at entertaining you, being with you and most importantly; I'm better at loving you."

Suddenly I don't know how to breathe anymore. I look at Luke with wide eyes. He just confessed his love to me and I don't know what to say? I'm a terrible person.

"I love you, Jimi. And I'm not planning to stop doing that for a long time." He places his hands on both my cheeks and smiles widely.

"I'm going to miss you. More than anyone else." And with that, he places his soft lips onto mine. And for the first time I actually do something. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down a little, standing on my tiptoes to be as close to him as possible when I kiss him back.

I can hear Ashton's voice, sounding excited. Michael and Calum sound like they're liking it as well. "Luke finally did it," is the sentence that leaves Michael's lips.

Luke pulls away after a short moment. His forehead doesn't leave mine and a smile creeps upon his lips. "I've wanted to do that for a little while now."

I chuckle and close my eyes for a second. "I wanted you to do that too." Luke pecks my lips shortly and then leans away. I unwrap my arms from his neck, and Luke grabs my hands in his.

"I know it isn't really the right moment to ask you this but Jimi, do you want to go out with me sometimes? As a date? In the future, I mean, when I'm back for a while or when you're coming over to visit me?"

I smile and nod. "Definitely!" Luke nods. "Okay good, yes. Perfect. I have to go now. Fuck, sorry, this isn't really the right moment to do this but I really had to."

"I think it was perfect, Luke. Now go and fly off to New York." He smiles and nods, letting go of my hands. He walks away to his bandmates and waves at me. "See you soon!"

"See you soon, Luke," I say with a smile. I watch them leave towards their airplane and sigh happily.

Luke may be leaving, and we may be apart, but I'm feeling closer to him than ever.