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Chapter eighteen - Cleo
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2024-10-29 19:42:56My alarm blares from my phone at five am, my eyes shoot open and I try to sit up, but I'm being kept on my back by someone. Blonde hair is on my chest and although I don't remember falling asleep with Luke on top of me, he's definitely there now and I'm fairly sure I've lost the feeling in my right arm.
"What time is it?" He mumbles sleepily against my chest.
"About five." I twist to try to reach my phone, but my hand is numb, so I end up slapping at it and it continues its high pitched screaming.
"Why the hell is your alarm going off at five?" He grumbles, reaching over and swiping the screen to end the noise.
"It's when I get up for swimming normally." He groans, laying back onto my chest and closing his eyes.
"Too ea
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Luke: Branston High Series Chapter nineteen - Luke
I woke up wrapped around Cleo this morning, I didn't want to get up, but it's my required visit to mum's and she knows it, so she's already showered and getting ready to go home."I could tell her I'm sick." I say, the third excuse I've come up with to try to avoid going. "We could do something fun instead. Bowling, cinema, ice skating?""Ice skating?" She pauses, I see the indecision cross her face and think I've got her, but then she shakes her head and pulls her socks on. "You need to go, she's your mum. We can go ice skating another time.""I don't want to go." I whine, sticking my head under the pillow. I feel the bed move as she climbs on beside me, lifting the pillow and placing it over her head as well."Why not?""Yo
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty - Cleo
My dad comes down and sits on the edge of the pool, waiting until I've finished and climbed out before speaking to me. "You're making good times." He comments but I know this isn't why he's really down here. He's got that look, that one that means he's going to talk to me about something that he's been thinking about for a little while. "Thank you, hopefully it's good enough." I say, wrapping a towel around myself while I wait for him to ask me what he really wants. "You were up late last night, who were you on the phone to?" There we go! "Luke from school, we were watching the new Jumanji." I say, looking directly at him so he'll know I'm telling the truth.
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty-one - Luke
Billy's been here all week in a bad way, I took the alcohol away from him on Wednesday night and he tried to pick a fight with me over it until I threatened to send him back to his dad's. I know he's angry and he's hurting, but he can't let it ruin his life and by Thursday night I think he's thinking more clearly. He went home after school today, although he's not sure he's in the mood to come out with everyone. I did offer to sit this one out with him, even though I'm dying to see Cleo, but he wanted to go home, so I've changed my bedsheets, cleaned the house and got food in for breakfast tomorrow and I'm going to use everything I've got to persuade her to come home with me tonight. The girls are getting ready together, so Shane gets dropped off at mine around eight and we have a drink before sett
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty-two - Cleo
"Rise and shine sleepy head." I giggle, poking Luke in the shoulder. He'd insisted he wanted to come training with me before school, but I wasn't convinced he'd be as keen when I started nudging him at 5.30am and it looks like I was right. I lean down and kiss his cheek. "Ok, I'll see you at school." "I really hate you, you know that right?" He grabs my wrist, holding me next to the bed as he rolls over, groaning and yawning. "Luke, stay in bed you idiot, I wasn't seriously expecting you to come." I giggle again when he squints around the room, staring at the wardrobe for a few seconds before grunting with the effort of getting up. "I said I'd come, so I'll come. There's something very wrong with someone who willingly gets up at this time every day." He tugs a t-shirt over his head, pulling on his jeans and
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty-three - Luke
This week's gone too quickly and before I know it, Cleo's dropping me off at Billy's house and we're in his room, his dad telling us both how proud he is that we're doing this, when we both know he's just hoping Billy will go into the forces and learn some respect. He's told us enough times that a little time the the army would straighten him out, I'm surprised Billy is actually going on this thing actually, he lives to piss off his dad. The little blonde step sister thinks she's being subtle edging outside, but her eyes are glued to Billy and if his dad wasn't oblivious to how hot she is because she actually covers the majority of her body, he'd notice that the two of them are all sneaky looks and sexual tension. "Bye Elsie, bye Mr Watkins." I call over to her with a cheeky wink, just to see what her reaction is
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty-four - Cleo
I could have headed straight home after I dropped Luke off at Billy's, but since I was already out and planning to meet the girls at the cinema later, I thought I might as well go to the local pool and get some laps in."Cleo." I hear the familiar voice call my name as I leave the building and my body tenses, guilt and fear mixing in vomit inducing waves deep in my stomach. "Cleo, please, I just want to talk.""About what Colin? You've made it very clear to me how you feel." I pause beside my car."I'm really sorry." I'd not expected to hear that and find myself nodding and stepping away from my car when he says. "Can we get a coffee and just talk, please?"I follow him back inside the pool, turning right and heading to the little cafe part instead. He tells me to
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty-five - Luke
It's Wednesday, which means I've been here five days, but it feels like longer, so much longer and all because Cleo's dad has decided to make my life hell for the week he has me. I could have left, maybe I should have, any normal guy would have, at least that's what Annabelle from my squad has told me the last two days, but I guess that means I'm not normal. It's not even about Cleo anymore, it feels like it's a battle of wills because the more he pushes me, the more I'm determined to prove to him he won't win and now we're on the home stretch, with the end in sight only three days away, two days really since we actually leave Saturday morning, he's got two fucking days to break me. Good luck to him, he's not even got close yet. "Thomas." Simon calls, a grin playing at the edge of his mouth a
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter twenty-six - Cleo
"I'm starving. Come on in." Jenny grabs my arm as soon as I pull up outside their house. True to their word, they've come swimming with me every morning this week and although I start an hour before I tell them I do, just so I can get some serious training in as well, it's really nice to have them there with me."I've got pizza, chips, chocolate, crisps and drinks." Rae pulls into their driveway just behind me, with Danielle beside her and holds up two carrier bags.We decided to come back to Jenny and Priya's after swimming today. Their parents are at work so we plan to just hang about in their living room watching films, eating junk food and chatting. I feel like I've got to know them a lot better this week and it's nice, I'm pretty sure there's actual friendship there now, rather than just them feeling sorry for the new girl
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Luke: Branston High Series Chapter forty-two - Cleo
"It's morning, it's morning, it's not night time, it's morning." Luke sings at the top of his lungs as we walk down the hallway from our room. "Shut the fuck up, it's five am, you utter psychopath." Jenny pops her head out of her room and glares bleary eyed in our direction, her finger jutting angrily with each word. "You might think you're scary, but I will stab you in your sleep if you keep doing this every bloody day." "Jenny, you look upset darling, are you not getting laid?" He smirks at her, ducking when she launches a shoe at him. "I hate you so much, why the hell did I agree to live with you all?" With a frustrated growl, she slams her bedroom door and Luke wraps his arms around me, chuckling to himself. "You're so mean." I giggle, pressing a kiss to his chee
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter forty-one - Luke
I'm so fucking happy right now, it's unbelievable. I refused to let Cleo have a moment away from me all Sunday. Ok, I did let her piss alone, but only because she made me, locking the door to keep me out and flushing the toilet before she did anything so I didn't hear her. Apparently it's a girl thing which she only admitted, with beetroot coloured cheeks, because I had an inkling about what she'd done and teased her about why she had to flush twice. But other than going to the toilet, I kept her right beside me the entire day, jumping into the shower with her in the morning and standing right beside her when we brushed our teeth. Today is going to be harder though, we've got school and I only have one lesson with her. I feel a little crazy, as though now I've finally got her, I'm terrified something's going to happen to make her realise I'm no
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter forty - Cleo
One more night, I can't not do one more night with Luke after that. I know it's going to hurt tomorrow but it's worth it because I've never felt as much love for anyone as I do about him right now.That song, my god, I thought his voice was enough to have me melting, but coupled with that song, it was like he was speaking directly to my heart, my soul even and it was enough to make me forget there was anyone else in the room. If it wasn't for his mum grabbing him the second he got off stage I would have been a sobbing mess, begging him to be with me forever.We don't speak as we drive back to his house. He didn't ask if I was ok with going there and I didn't object. Maybe he wants me as much as I want him right now, I'd like it if that was true. Regardless, I'm a little scared to speak in case I break the spell we both seem to be under.
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter thirty-nine - Luke
Cleo's avoiding me. I thought we were getting somewhere when she invited me around Monday night, even if she quickly rescinded that invite. I'm so ready to tell her I love her and want her to be my girlfriend but I can't get a single minute with her alone. At all.All week at school she's made excuses about having to work on this stupid project and then she's supposedly had to train straight after school each night, she doesn't answer the phone and I've been half expecting her to back out of my mum's engagement party tonight. Although she'd have to actually talk to me to do that and she's not said two words to me since she hung up the phone Monday night. So I'm heading over to hers, psyching myself up to bare my soul to her, maybe in an unplanned rush in the next few minutes if she's not coming with me.I could be about to completely humiliate
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter thirty-eight - Cleo
I've changed my hair five times so far and I'm still not happy with it. I've put make-up on, taken it off and put it back on again and now I'm staring at my reflection annoyed that I feel so nervous about going to school this morning.It's Luke. Just Luke.But this is the first time I'm going to see him properly after ending everything. I'm not counting Friday night's episode since it was so chaotic and I don't really know what that was about. It felt like a goodbye, a real goodbye, a final end to whatever we were doing.I need to get over whatever hope is still left inside me that spurted back to life when he asked me to still come to his mum's engagement do. After re-reading the messages I realised he only wants me there to keep up the pretence for his family, he even sai
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter thirty-seven - Luke
I pull up outside my mum's house Saturday evening wondering if I'm making a huge mistake. I called Trevor this morning asking for his help and he seemed far too excited, but it's done now, I have to do this.Blowing out my breath, I take my hands through my hair and step out of the car. I'm fifteen minutes early, but he's doing me a favour, so I thought I'd start off on the right foot, except, by the sex noises coming from upstairs, I'm fairly confident he's not home.Or at least I hope that's not him and mum!The thought makes me shudder as images I definitely don't want to be seeing plant themselves at the forefront of my brain."Oh yes, yes, right there." Cally's voice echoes from above.
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter thirty-six - Cleo
Elias doesn’t speak for a long time once we’re back at the table, just plays with his food while one side of his jaw steadily moves from red to black.“I’m so sorry.” I say eventually. He lifts an eyebrow, looking at me for further explanation. “I didn’t know Luke would be here, I’ll talk to him. He can’t go around punching people for no reason.”“This. I don’t blame you or even him really. I’d do the same if I saw Millie out on a Friday night with some guy.” He laughs, shaking his head at me and running his hand over his jaw.“That’s different, she’s your girlfriend and I’m pretty sure you’d find out what was going on before swinging your fists.” I sink into my chair, mortified about t
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter thirty-five - Luke
I'm existing, that's the only word to describe my life at the moment. Acting. That's another good one. Emily insisted I stay with them for the majority of this week, but she did allow me to skip school.Aurora came over the first night and questioned me like she's Judge fucking Judy, asking me multiple times about what happened with Cleo and getting frustrated with my reluctance to discuss it.She doesn't understand though, how could she? There's no doubt that her and Shane love one another completely and Shane's a great guy, he's got his shit together now. They've got plans to go off to uni together, then they'll get married, probably move back here somewhere and pop out a couple kids. Even when they fight, they know they love each other and so everything will be ok.I sound jealous and fuck it, I am. C
Luke: Branston High Series Chapter thirty-four - Cleo
"Cleo honey, Aurora's here for you." My mum comes downstairs to the swimming pool with Aurora following closely behind her. "Sit down here, I'll get you some drinks and Cleo needs to get out of the pool anyway, she's done more than enough training."She directs the last comment in my direction, a lifted brow enough to let me know shes worried I'm overdoing it, but it's the only place I can seem to shut my mind off.Aurora watches me without saying a word while I climb out of the pool and wrap myself in a towel, perching on the chair opposite hers."Hi." I say, squeezing water from my hair to avoid her studious gaze."You going to explain what happened? Because we thought you were skiving and then it turns out you're just avoiding us and Luke's in an absolute state.
