Everything I Didn't Say

“Who is it?” She just waited for my response and watched me read the text over and over again. “Luke, I just asked you who it was. Are you going to tell me anytime soon?” She sighed at my lack of response then snatched the phone out of my hand.

“Uhm, it’s Calum.” I tried to sound less bitter as possible but to my luck, my voice cracked. “Go out?! What did you feed this boy earlier?” She laughed so loud that it caught me by surprise.

“You okay?” I tried to ask her in between her laughing fits and she finally calmed down. “Yeah, I’m alright. April Fool’s came early, I’m sorry.” She giggled one more time and tossed her phone down her lap.

“So Mr. Hemmings, your house is right there. Do you want me to carry you to the door as well?” I scoffed at her and opened the door. “Hold on, aren’t you gonna reply to Calum?” I looked back at her phone and she did the same.

“Do you think he’s really serious? It’s probably one of his pranks.” Her tone changed subtly. I know she was a bit hurt by what she said and is just trying to play it off.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit insensitive of him to do this?” I asked with concern. I know Calum hasn’t been the most sensitive person but this is beyond his normal pranks. He should know that although he and Aislinn had been cool recently, this is still unreasonably insensitive.

“Nah. It’s him we’re talking about, Luke. It’s fine.” She half smiled then took a deep breath. She always does this; someone or something hurts her but she still finds a way to understand it and give it a good reason for it not to hurt her.

“Ais, still…” I trailed off and just looked at her. I know deep inside that she truly hopes this wasn’t just a prank but I know that she knows better and it is hurting her more than what she shows.

“I’m fine, Luke. You should go rest now. You still have work tomorrow.” She tried to shoo me away and smiled bigger to prove that she was all right. “Well, are you gonna reply at least or are you just going to ignore him?” She just shrugged as a response and it made me worry more.

“I’ll just laugh it off when I see him next. It’s not like he’s expecting for a reply tonight. I can already imagine him laughing.” She tried to laugh again but failed to sound sincerely happy.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I walked over to her side of the car and opened the door for her. “Come down. We can sit down on my patio and talk.” She sighed and then smiled.

“Luke, we already took a long drive. It’s already late and your parents will kill me for staying out this late.” I shook my head and pulled her out of her car. “No, you know they love you more than anyone in our group. More than me, actually.” I laughed a bit in an effort to make the mood lighter.

“Luke, aren’t you tired of my problems? You have more productive things to do inside. I’ll just sleep this off.” She still protested even when I was practically dragging her to our patio.

“Productive? What, YouTube?” She just giggled and sighed as a sign of defeat. We sat down on the stairs of our patio. She looked up right away and gazed at the stars. She was so beautiful inside and out and it frustrates me that Calum hasn’t appreciated her or at least showed it in the right way.

I liked her because she was different. She was a breath of fresh air in this rotten world. She worries more about others than herself and I’ve always wished that I could care for others the way she does. I know I should be happy that Calum hasn’t treated her the right way because then I can catch her once she gives up on him but it still frustrates me how he was wasting a good chance with a girl like Aislinn.

“Are you just gonna stare at me?” She suddenly looked at me and I was brought back to reality. “Sorry, you were enjoying the stars too much.” I messed her hair a bit and tried to joke around with her.

“You know what I find fascinating about the stars?” She asked curiously. I raised my eyebrows to tell her to continue on and explain. “They’re so beautiful. We don’t exactly know their purpose but they’re nice to look at. We know we can live without them yet we question their absence and long for them when they’re gone. They’re so beautiful that it makes me sad that I can only admire them from a far.” She sighed then looked down her lap.

“Are we still talking about the stars?” I pulled her closer and she leaned her head on my shoulder. I knew what or might I say, who she was talking about. Little does she know that I feel the same about her.

“Are you all right?” A tear fell on the back of my palm and I brushed her hair out of her face. “I’m fine, Luke. Don’t look at me.” She just buried her face on my shoulder and sniffed.

“Don’t get snot on my shirt please.” She giggled in between her sniffs and punched me on the arm. I looked up the sky and took a deep breath. To whoever is watching down on us, please let this last forever. I don’t want this to ever end; Aislinn beside me like this.

“Ais?” She wasn’t responding anymore and I knew she fell asleep. Just when I was about to pick her up, her phone rang. “Hello?”

Notes