“Luke,” Aubrey breathed out.
It felt like a cheap punch to the gut after not having seen him for so long, her carefully constructed walls Nicole and Grant had been picking away at crumbling down at his name. She mentally cursed herself, not having felt this vulnerable since she had to wear that handprint on her cheek for all to see. This was a different type of vulnerability, however, reminding her of everything left unfinished.
Already Serena had clammed up and hidden herself from view, and Aubrey wished she could do the same. With today’s technology, instantly cloning herself was out of the question, which meant she couldn’t. Instead, Aubrey squared her shoulders and stared ahead with disinterest. It would have been more convincing had her legs not felt like they might buckle underneath her. How weird, considering she used to jump at any chance to see him.
Her mouth was overly dry as well. “Grant…”
She hadn’t even realized she had called him over until he strode in front of her. He was a bundle of energy, unusual for someone normally so calm. The boy rocked on his heels but never crossed the invisible boundary he had forged between them. Luke took a step back, which seemed to please Grant immensely.
“I want to steal Grant away for a little bit, if that's okay. I was actually headed to your clubroom right now, so this is convenient.”
Grant scoffed, sounding like Nicole. “Seems to be an awfully popular place today…”
He laughed. “Is it? You'll have to tell me about it.”
Grant's expression hardened. “If you want to talk, say it in front of everyone here. You're not pulling the same shit as last time.”
Luke blinked before glancing between the three of us. “You really are harsh, man.”
“You wanted to talk to me. So talk.” Grant's tone was almost casual. Was he trying to play nice for her and Serena? That only made it more intimidating.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Luke sighed. “Fine.”
His steely eyes shifted toward her. “I wanted to apologize to you, Grant. About the arcade. I shouldn't have put you in that position.”
He frowned. “Is that all?”
“No, I should be apologizing to you too, Aubrey.”
Her stomach twisted, and the hallway suddenly seemed to be closing in around her. Her pulse quickened, and for a moment, she couldn't decide whether she wanted him to keep talking or be quiet. Serena’s tightening grip on the back of her t-shirt snapped her out of it.
Grant crossed his arms. “Don’t make her wait all day.”
Luke gave him a tired look. “You know, most people would let me finish a sentence before jumping down my throat.”
“Most people don’t dislike you.”
Serena snorted quietly while Luke looked back over at Aubrey. “I'm sorry. I should have said something to you about Erin or tried to intervene.”
The apology was simple, and she could accept it for what it was. She knew, after all, that her continuing to hopelessly follow him around was starting to rile some others up. She had fanned the flames and suffered the consequences. It was more upsetting that she had dragged her friends down with her; that was the thing which continued to make her feel the worst.
But an endless cycle of apologies wasn’t going to help anyone.
“It’s fine.”
Luke scratched lightly at his jaw, something he only did when he was stalling. A few people passed around them, and Luke smiled charmingly at them before going back to scratching. Grant started doing it as well, but it was obvious he was mocking him.
Regardless, he laughed good-naturedly. “You really are a jerk.” Grant stopped, allowing Luke to carry on without distraction. “It’s also my fault for not being more clear with you. The same goes for you, Serena.”
The younger girl said nothing as Aubrey swallowed. This scene had played out in her head countless times. She’d imagined him saying a hundred different things, imagined herself giving some perfect response that would finally put everything to rest. Yet, at this moment, nothing came to mind.
Aubrey went for something a little more imperfect. “Did you know what I wanted?”
Luke hesitated. “Not really.”
That answer hurt less than expected. She looked down at the floor. “I don't think I know either, so it was pretty crappy to put my silly expectations on you, huh?”
Luke didn't respond.
“I was head over heels for you. At least it felt like it,” she admitted. “But you already know that. I liked being around you. I liked having someone to talk to. I liked feeling like I had a place with you and the others.” Her fingers curled against her palms. “But that's not enough, is it?”
Luke remained silent, but she didn’t need him to respond. The answer was obvious without anyone spelling it out. Whatever it was she had been looking for in Luke, Aubrey hadn't found it there. And somehow, she was beginning to understand that she had been looking in the wrong places.
“Thanks for the apology.”
Luke grinned. “I'll see you around.”
“See you.”
He turned and started walking away, and she didn't feel any urge to follow. The air in the hallway felt still after he turned the corner, so Serena releasing a long breath startled her. “You alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just a little spaced out. How’re you holding up?”
She smiled adorably, showing off her teeth, but Aubrey was well aware she was putting on a front. “You know me. Something like this won’t keep me down.”
Aubrey studied her for another moment. Serena's smile never wavered, but there was something practiced about it.
“Ok, but if that changes, you tell me.”
Serena blinked before her grin returned. “Deal.”
Grant playfully flicked Serena in the shoulder. “It’s annoying how resilient you are.”
“Bully! What kind of jerk does that to a cute girl like me?” She circled around Aubrey, rubbing at her arm. “Aubrey, can we kick him out of the club? Can we?”
Grant rolled his hazel eyes. “You sure you’re ok, Aubrey?”
“I really am fine. Seriously, you both worry too much.”
He seemed unconvinced, but he didn't press. Instead, he reached over and ruffled her hair, freezing her on the spot. Serena paused to grin, and Aubrey stiffened, standing ramrod straight as his finger brushed through the strands, leaving them slightly disheveled. Her legs were shaky again, but for an entirely different reason now. “Wha–What’s that about?”
He shrugged. “Thought it might cheer you up.”
She stared at him, watching his cheeks slowly heat up at what he had done. Serena cracked up at that. “You shouldn’t have done it if you were going to be that embarrassed!”
Then Aubrey laughed, Grant cussing out Serena under his breath only adding to her amusement. Mostly, though, she was glad they were distracted because her cheeks were starting to feel a little warm too. “We’d better check up on Nicole.”
Display cases flanked them on both sides, signaling they were fast approaching their destination. Aubrey held open the first door for them, and then went through the second. Five different people turned back to stare at the three of them. Basic math told her that made eight, making this the largest group assembled in the club to date: four members, their teacher, Nicole’s two friends, and Jack. The latter gave Grant a wave, and he returned it while moving closer to him.
“Perfect timing,” Nicole said in a tone that implied this was not perfect timing. “We were just talking with Miss Halsey about our plan for the anime con.”
“Our plan?” Aubrey asked quickly, hoping to get back up to speed. How was it she couldn’t walk away from this club for a single minute without something popping up? “What's this about a convention?”
Miss Halsey spoke up. “We got a request to help sell some stuff at a booth. We also got a few extra hands this time, too.”
She nodded at the two bullies, and Grant looked positively livid. “Great…”
“She’s also making costumes for everybody. Grant included,” Nicole added mockingly.
“Even better,” he said. “And when exactly is this anime con thing?”
Jack turned to him. “Next month.”
Kenna and Sophia didn't seem pleased about it either, yet they kept it to themselves. Whether that was for Nicole’s benefit or to avoid Miss Halsey’s bad side remained to be seen. Either way, their conversation must have gone well enough if Jack had been able to come in here and ask for the club's help.
Aubrey gently tugged Serena along to sit by Grant, absentmindedly patting the younger girl’s knee while watching Grant sink further down in his seat. A month was still a ways off, and she figured the club could tolerate Kenna and Sophia for a couple of days at a convention if it meant helping out Jack. She was certain Grant was thinking along the same lines, despite having practically slid entirely underneath the table.
“So what did you have in mind?” she asked.
A glint appeared in Miss Halsey’s eyes. “I'm glad you asked.”