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* * *
It was the last day of the school term, and while most kids were overjoyed to be on holidays, impending loneliness consumed me. I dragged myself home like a sulking child, knowing there would be no one in the barn that afternoon.
Nate came back from University the previous night and Luke’s attention was already fading. My brother organised a boys’ camping trip out in the bush for a whole week. Luke hadn’t had any time off since he began working at Easton’s, and when he mentioned the idea to his Nan, she encouraged him to go. Dawn appreciated how hard he worked and was relieved he was finally taking a break.
The only problem was, even though I saw Luke every day that week, he neglected to mention the trip to me. I only found out the night prior because Nate brought it up with him at dinner.
During their conversation, Luke discreetly glanced my way. I quickly lowered my head to focus on my dinner, but I detected a hint of regret in his eyes. I could tell he wanted to talk privately with me, and explain why he didn’t tell me, but I quickly excused myself and headed to my bedroom to hide my disappointment. Nate remained oblivious to how close Luke and I had become in his absence.
I turned the last corner of my tedious walk home, to spot the boys packing up Luke’s truck for their camping trip. I groaned. They were supposed to be gone before I returned from school. Slowing my pace, I urgently searched for an alternate route back to the house so I wouldn’t have to face them.
There was an opening in the fence, hidden amongst the tall grass, along the side of the road. Dad occasionally used it to move cattle from one paddock to the next and I stupidly decided it would be my best option. I should have known better. My first step sent my foot so deep into the mud, it locked me in. In my attempt to release my trapped foot, I lost all balance and fell. A small squeal of horror burst from me as my butt crashed down into the giant mass of mud.
I prayed the boys hadn’t heard me, but lost all hope when Nate’s uncontrollable laughter sounded in the distance. I didn’t give them the satisfaction of looking their way, and proceeded to pathetically struggle my way out of the pit. As I took a moment to catch my breath, a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me out.
Luke examined me as I fixed myself up. “Are you okay?”
I gazed up and his blue eyes sparkled, holding back laughter.
“At least you’re trying to contain yourself,” I grumbled, glancing angrily back at Nate, who had returned to packing the truck in between bouts of spontaneous laughter.
“It was pretty funny.” He smirked, gently wiping some mud from my forehead. I could feel colour rushing to my cheeks as he touched me.
I let out some nervous laughter. “Yeah, I guess it was a pretty good show,” I muttered. “Thanks for the hand.”
Luke studied my intended route. “Why did you go that way? You know what happens when it’s been raining.”
My eyelashes fluttered as I tried to think of a less incriminating answer. Instead, I dodged the question. “Aren’t you guys supposed to be off on some camping trip by now?”
Luke arched his eyebrows and grinned. “Ah…okay. So, you were willing to swim through mud to avoid saying goodbye?”
I grunted and began walking off.
“Blue,” he called after me. “Blue! Hey, c’mon.”
I continued to ignore him and soldiered on.
He caught up with me in a few strides and blocked my path. I attempted to dodge him, but he matched my every move. I halted and sighed impatiently, as I peered up at the boy who troubled my heart.
He leant down to my ear. “I’ll miss you too,” he whispered.
My mouth opened and shut again, without a word escaping.
Offering me a knowing smile, he began walking backwards, instinctively avoiding every muddy puddle in his path. He watched me as I warily passed by his truck, anticipating more ridicule from my brother.
“Look on the bright side,” Luke announced. “At least it’s not as bad as when Nate fell face first into cow shit!”
Nate’s mouth slammed shut and he diverted his attention back to strapping down their camping gear into the tray. Luke winked at me and I smirked in amusement, thankful for the save.
I glimpsed back as I reached the top of our porch stairs. Luke sat in the driver’s seat studying me pensively, and my heart skipped. It made me question if he could possibly feel the same way. He sent me a bashful wave before Nate jumped into the passenger seat and they drove away.
* * *
As much as I tried to fill my time, it was a slow week. Realising I had been neglecting other aspects of my social life, I decided to actively try and spend more time with Marni.
After she discovered I was performing at Easton’s Tavern, she suddenly wanted to be more involved in my life. Her dad bought her a brand-new car, for no apparent reason other than he could, and we were able to hang out over the school holidays. But the more time we spent together, the more I preferred my loner lifestyle.
Marni knew everything going on in town. Her dad was the town doctor and I’m sure she had access to everyone’s medical records without his knowledge. She thrived on others’ misfortune, but it came from a place of loneliness. Her parents split up the previous year, and she was desperately seeking attention.
