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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcu7IvwItq
“I’m going for a walk,” she announced, her voice quiet but firm.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBIEdRY0gS
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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gcGJDYvq2
“I’ll come with you,” he said, grabbing his jacket.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eSviOmH7t
Roxy sighed, already expecting this. “Luke, I’m fine. I just need some air.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i092Pcfia
“And I just need to stretch my legs. Win-win,” he replied casually, slipping his arms into the worn leather sleeves.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMdJCwaOPM
She didn’t argue further, knowing it would be useless. Instead, she rolled her eyes and slipped on her sneakers.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCshRXaG5O
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?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zjBC6KY7r
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.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeeizc0LGj
Reggie, sprawled on a chair in his ripped jeans and oversized t-shirt, chimed in. “Chips! And maybe a root beer?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xo5IiCIUG
Luke gave them a thumbs-up before following Roxy out the door.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqtZ8MzO3Q
---
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNamvmVZJmI
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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbZidhkyTA
They walked in silence for a while before Roxy suddenly spoke.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Why6SZNi
“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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIG0P6f183
He stopped walking, grabbing her arm gently to make her stop too. “Hey, don’t joke about that.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauNZUNADYS
“I’m not,” she admitted, looking down at her sneakers. “Sometimes it feels like it’d be easier, you know? Just... disappearing.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1bawj1FK
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.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfiuVbgLxH
Roxy blinked, startled. “What?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqHeKf8HoZ
“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.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Mkvrr3Ta
For a moment, Roxy just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Then a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMuucbaEwO
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, shaking her head.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AS2jtyc3F
“Maybe,” Luke said, grinning. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBPPgYKTWa
They continued walking, the tension in the air easing slightly.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcVqJnLmOW
---
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRgjcVafS0
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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1nJwq6FcZ
“Not hungry?” he asked casually.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPvNqIC1yv
She shook her head without looking at him.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIT5d1wDV5
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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn68v1pP2uK
“What’s this for?” Roxy asked, raising an eyebrow.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBsuS7ZyCf
“You didn’t grab anything, and you need something,” he said simply.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCW4Qb4NYB
“I’m fine.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdJZqUW0M8
“Drink it anyway,” he insisted, nudging it toward her.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRpakqDOFk
Roxy sighed but took a sip, and Luke grinned. “Tastes good, doesn’t it?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37nH8POTGC
“It’s okay,” she muttered, but she took another sip.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqHc9KGnmi
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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqXeqXtUhb
---
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDlASl9w5j
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.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Y4jOmf4X
“Chips and root beer delivered,” Luke announced, tossing the bag of snacks onto the counter.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHkeaj1TeH
Alex barely glanced up from his drum set, focused on the beat. Reggie, however, waved enthusiastically before diving into the bag.
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iTRKu7kEk
As the music died down, Alex turned to Luke. “We’ve been thinking about the next song. Got any ideas?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo4h2jueuH
Luke sat on the couch, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “We could go for something upbeat—maybe with a strong hook?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oj64HIXSz
Reggie nodded eagerly, munching on his chips. “Yeah, like something that gets stuck in your head but still has heart, you know?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfJnpl31Vq
“What about Roxy?” Alex asked, glancing at her. “You’re singing in this one too, right?”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj7yGjREjQ
Roxy shrugged, still sipping the last of the smoothie. “I don’t know. I might sit this one out.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGXg9l4Z0r
Luke immediately shook his head. “No way. Your voice adds something special. You’re in.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwsbain0Sr
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.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH6xyGZTHa
Luke smirked. “Deal. Let’s work on the melody tomorrow.”
248Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GFncpiDXm
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.”
ns216.73.216.25da2
