Chapter Text
October 14, 1994 - Alex Pov
Our band finishes running through the song one more time before deciding to pack up and get going for the night. Reggie is the first to go, and Bobby leaves soon after. Luke finishes packing up his acoustic to take home, then starts scribbling in his songbook.
“Hey Alex?”
“Yeah?”
“What do you think of this for the bridge?” He crosses the room and tilts the book in my direction, while singing the words out loud. “We ain't searching for tomorrow, 'Cause we got all we need today-”
“Living on a feeling that's been running through our veins-” I take over.
“We're the revolution that's been singing in the rain!” We both belt out.
“Nice!” Luke says, giving me a high five.
“Thanks, the lyrics are great. We’ll show Reggie and Bobby tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” He grabs his guitar case and swings the strap over his shoulder. “Well… I should probably get going.”
“Yeah, me too.” I slide my sticks into my bag and we both walk over to the garage doors.
“You first.” We say at the same time, then laugh. “I’ll go.” “No you can go.” We sigh.
“Let’s just both go.” I say.
“Okay.” He replies, but neither of us move. We both stare at the floor and thrust our hands in our pockets. Then, I look up at him abruptly and he does the same.
“I don’t want to go home.” We both say, as in-sync as you could possibly imagine.
“I was gonna wait till you left and then crash on the couch.” I say.
“Same.” We both walk over to it and sit down.
“Still getting in fights with your parents?” I ask.
“Yeah.” He pauses. “Mostly my mom. My grades are slipping and she claims it’s because I spend all of my time practicing. When I really just suck at algebra… and chemistry, and history- basically everything.” I laugh at his remark. “But, if I came home this late she’ll just take it as an opportunity to yell at me about school again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“At least it’s better than your stupid homophobic parents.” He says, then tries to backtrack. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have brought that up.”
“No it’s okay. You’re right, that’s why I didn’t want to go back today. I always get the, ‘home so late, what ya doing hooking up with those boys again?’ talk.”
“Dang.” He says. I nod, then glance over to the clock on the wall. 12:01 am.
“Happy October 15th.” He pity laughs at my bad joke.
“We should probably get some sleep.”
“Yeah.” I say and lean over to turn off the lamp on the side table next to me.
“G’night Alex.”
“Night, Luke.”
We both lay down on opposite sides of the couch, our feet next to each-others heads and try to fall asleep.
A little while later, I stop resisting the urge and check the clock- 2:25 am. I groan and cover my face with a pillow, I haven’t slept at all.
“Alex?” I hear Luke’s groggy voice whisper.
“Sorry, did I wake you up?” I ask.
“No, I can’t sleep.”
“Me either.” I sigh.
We both sit up a bit on the couch and stay there staring at each other for a while, trying to decide whether to get up and do something or keep trying to fall asleep.
“You know, you look really cute in the dark.” Luke’s voice completely snaps me out of my thoughts. Did he just say what I think he said? “Sorry, that was weird.”
“Nah, it’s cool. Thanks.” I say smiling and maybe blushing a little. Somehow even in the low light, Luke seems to notice, because he gives me his signature smirk.
“You gonna say anything about me or-”
“You look cute too, Luke.” I say, rolling my eyes. This makes his face change from a smirk to his happy puppy smile.
Is it possible? After almost a year of having a crush on him, could Luke… actually like me back?
The next decision I make is pure 3am adrenaline and exhaustion, because I lean over on the couch so our faces are only inches away and cup Luke’s cheek with my left hand.
“Alex... whatcha doing?” Luke asks slowly, very confused.
“May I?” Is all I manage to whisper.