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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZMwfrd2YU
“I’m going for a walk,” she announced, her voice quiet but firm.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx1mCEyFva
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdaCKKvHRR
“I’ll come with you,” he said, grabbing his jacket.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqLVBTty2b
Roxy sighed, already expecting this. “Luke, I’m fine. I just need some air.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKPcQiN4oi
“And I just need to stretch my legs. Win-win,” he replied casually, slipping his arms into the worn leather sleeves.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnPl8jvBAv
She didn’t argue further, knowing it would be useless. Instead, she rolled her eyes and slipped on her sneakers.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKKylgCCST
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?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnRxEExPfm
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.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj02XFuIuiM
Reggie, sprawled on a chair in his ripped jeans and oversized t-shirt, chimed in. “Chips! And maybe a root beer?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe19M29F4F
Luke gave them a thumbs-up before following Roxy out the door.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2b0wdkWYF
---
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2UASfQDUn
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhOeVhShtn
They walked in silence for a while before Roxy suddenly spoke.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94rjg0OxhU
“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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7XLZvK6Wn
He stopped walking, grabbing her arm gently to make her stop too. “Hey, don’t joke about that.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG6QdaA8y1
“I’m not,” she admitted, looking down at her sneakers. “Sometimes it feels like it’d be easier, you know? Just... disappearing.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyN6F39bg6
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.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h8GHumakB
Roxy blinked, startled. “What?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W7SRFNmjL
“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.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBQLTZpVNy
For a moment, Roxy just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Then a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgiJuRKut3
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, shaking her head.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJVCHvALEU
“Maybe,” Luke said, grinning. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPMouwM614
They continued walking, the tension in the air easing slightly.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbozlGOVD6
---
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZCbCItBwe
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7brqKqv9m
“Not hungry?” he asked casually.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBLS9kxvt2
She shook her head without looking at him.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fjBGTSNYd
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZds6jHe3v5
“What’s this for?” Roxy asked, raising an eyebrow.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFF6SCqC92
“You didn’t grab anything, and you need something,” he said simply.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80WmA2VeNN
“I’m fine.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ2pf7G6QB
“Drink it anyway,” he insisted, nudging it toward her.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPRQrsbQuM
Roxy sighed but took a sip, and Luke grinned. “Tastes good, doesn’t it?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP0tvKqssz
“It’s okay,” she muttered, but she took another sip.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafUAy0uZk2
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBR1Sy3mxh
---
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qj2j2xvYn
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAVEZQBUii
“Chips and root beer delivered,” Luke announced, tossing the bag of snacks onto the counter.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8jt7wAjM9
Alex barely glanced up from his drum set, focused on the beat. Reggie, however, waved enthusiastically before diving into the bag.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qbADSIQI0
As the music died down, Alex turned to Luke. “We’ve been thinking about the next song. Got any ideas?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEW8iEBgWQ
Luke sat on the couch, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “We could go for something upbeat—maybe with a strong hook?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82AJO2E78E
Reggie nodded eagerly, munching on his chips. “Yeah, like something that gets stuck in your head but still has heart, you know?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3w3Wt9X1R
“What about Roxy?” Alex asked, glancing at her. “You’re singing in this one too, right?”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo8MgwKPXX
Roxy shrugged, still sipping the last of the smoothie. “I don’t know. I might sit this one out.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx441oyJJI
Luke immediately shook his head. “No way. Your voice adds something special. You’re in.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsLtx25V2g
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.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ335CDqEH1E
Luke smirked. “Deal. Let’s work on the melody tomorrow.”
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7qbZvtETh
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.”
ns216.73.216.68da2
