Chapter Text
Everyone has a problem in their life. Whether it's depression, anxiety, a disorder or simply not doing well in school. People deal with these problems everyday and a lot of them try hiding it. Luke is one of those people. He doesn't like letting anyone know when he's sad or depressed, because that's adding another problem to those people's lives.
He would much rather let himself suffer than add another weight on someone's shoulder. The only person he even talks to is Michael, actually. Michael is his best friend, other half and shoulder to lean on. He isn't much help, though. Mainly because Michael barely talks, and when he does, it's a small whisper and so quiet Luke can barely hear it.
That's okay, though. Luke completely understands why Michael is this way. Just like he said, everyone has their problems in life and Michael's is something they barely talk about, for obvious reasons. They don't need words, anyways. They only need each other and that's it.
But, lately Luke wants more. He needs other people to talk to as well, not because Michael isn't enough - he definitely is- but because he simply wants to help others as well and have someone to help him.
There was a ringing sound, causing Luke to mumble into his bare bed. The mattress didn't have a sheet, only a thin blanket covering his body and he sighed sadly when turning off his alarm. A frown formed on his face, and he wanted to skip school so badly, act sick or sleep in but that can't happen in his house.
He reluctantly got up, stretching and walked across his small room. He went through his closet, grimacing at the smell of his dirty jeans. It wasn't his fault, his parents don't let him wash his clothes often. After changing into is ripped jeans (he didn't buy them that way) he then tugged on a plain black shirt and black jacket with a black snapback on. He's not emo, black is just his favorite color. People don't see it that way, though.
Everyone assumes he's depressed. You can say he is, but it's more of a long, sad feeling. He doesn't try to be sad, unlike most depressed people, he attempts to make himself happy. It doesn't always work. Maybe he does this so his friend is happy, Michael isn't a very smiley person and Luke does his best to let a tiny smile appear on Michael's lips. He's the only one who can do that.
A knock was heard and he readied himself, turning and saw his dad (dare he call the man that) walk in. The first time you would see the guy, you would expect him to be a sweet, strict yet funny guy. Honestly, he is. But, he is also a very harsh man who doesn't treat his son like he should.
"Why the hell are you still getting dress? Your little mute friend is outside waitin' for ya," His dad sneered, grabbing Luke by the hood and tugged him forward roughly. "Get your ass downstairs in the next three minutes or else."
A glare formed on Luke's face but he nodded and mumbled,"Kay."
"Speak up, and wipe that glare off your face." Luke ignored him and received a smack in the face, trying not to react to it. But, right when his dad left, he winced and rubbed his throbbing cheek.
He never tried letting the 'abuse' get to him. To Luke, it wasn't abuse. It was just stupidity. His dad only smacked him, one time he did get pushed and fell down the stairs though. That was the worst of it. He got a broken leg, however it never happened much after that since his dad was simply drunk.
Unlike a lot of abused kids, he knew what his dad was doing is wrong. Kids shouldn't be hit. He was use to it, it was his normal and how he got through life. The only thing he hated more than getting hit, however, was the fact that his mum let it happen. His brothers left and maybe that's what triggered it all. After they went to college, he was on his own and they were his family's favorites, he was the mistake.
A sigh left his chapped lips, glancing around his blank room, much like his life. Boring and bland. He grabbed his bag (the one he's been using for the past six years) and went downstairs. He walked outside, not saying goodbye to his parents because they don't care where he goes, and then he spotted Michael waiting on the porch with his earbuds in.
Luke grinned, tapping Michael's shoulder and the boy flinched, glancing up and relaxed when seeing Luke. He didn't say hi, he simply nodded and that was his hello. What Michael has is called selective mutism. It means he is able to talk to people he is only comfortable with. That being Luke. He still barely talks to him, though. When he does, he has a very bad stutter, but it's cute in Luke's eyes.
"Morning," Luke said quietly.
Michael stood up, frowning and lightly brushed his fingers over Luke's red cheek. He looked at him questiningly and Luke nodded. Silently letting Michael know what happened. Michael knew about his dad, he takes care of Luke's wounds if it ever get too bad.
He sighed, shaking his head sadly. Luke just shrugged, walking with Michael to school and grabbed his hand softly, lacing their fingers together.
No, they're not dating.
They never have and probably never will. Since Michael is only comfortable with Luke, the two have grown so close that they basically do anything couples do aside from kiss. They hug, they cuddle and hold hands everyday. It's natural for them, and people mistake them as a couple a lot. Probably because Michael is gay and Luke is just Luke.
Labels are something Luke hates. They are meant for jars, not people. He doesn't like having to say his sexuality just to date someone (not that he ever will). It's pointless and causes a lot of problems with people. If he likes a girl then okay, and if he likes a guy then that's fine. Everyone is attractive in his mind.
On the way to school, there was a silence like always. When it's quiet, Luke can't help but think. He does it often considering they barely hold a conversation. Sometimes he thinks so much his brain hurts. His mind can jump from thinking about how a baby can stay in a stomach for nine months to why the sky is blue when it's only air. The question makes him feel stupid, but it was something he has always wondered though never bothered trying to get an answer.
When they arrived to school, Michael clung to Luke's arm and frown at the amount of people in the hall. He has social anxiety as well, which pretty much came along with his selective mutism. Luke wrapped an arm around him, ignoring the judgmental looks at other people. Their opinions are irrelevant.
At their locker (they share one because Michael likes being with Luke), they exchanged their books and Luke walked Michael to his next class, which was across the school. He didn't mind the walk, if anything he enjoyed it because that meant less time looking like a loner in class.
"Bye Mikey, meet me at lunch," Luke reminded, giving him a kiss on the cheek goodbye.
It seemed dumb, but he's protective of Michael. He likes making sure he's okay, he worries about him a lot. Michael has tried school counseling, but adults scare him a lot. That's why he's comfortable with Luke. Because unlike adults, Luke is a teen and can understand the pain of this centuries bullying. The online hate, the ridicule and judgmental based on what he likes and doesn't like. People are more harsh now and days just for liking a gender, show, song, band or even a certain clothing.
As Luke went back to his own class, he glanced over when seeing someone staring at him. It was Calum Hood. He nearly groaned, the typical jock was annoying as fuck. He has a cocky personality, smug smile on his face at all times and thinks he's the most amazing person ever just cause his girlfriend is a straight A hottie and soccer player.
Calum does track, he has the energy for it. Honestly, Luke always wanted to try out since his legs were nice and could help a lot. Plus, that meant not being home for a couple hours. But, he doesn't want to do a sport since everyone hates him. So, instead he spends his free time with Michael behind the school till it's night time,
By the time he got to science class, he let out a breath of relief as the bell rang right when he got to his seat. He dropped down at his desk, frowning when noticing he didn't have a pencil. He nervously looked around, glancing awkwardly at the kid next to him and asked quietly,"Hey, do you have a pencil?"
"Yes."
"Can I borrow it?"
"No, I'm using it nitwit."
Luke glared, blue eyes meeting Ashton's hazel ones. The guy was really annoying, constantly keeping to himself unless it meant getting an answer right and always trying to show off his brains. You're smart, everyone knows it. No need to gloat.
He wore these square glasses, hair in a fringe and wore this ridiculous button up shirt that had some crazy design on it with jeans that didn't match. However, he also wore a ton of bracelets and Luke couldn't help but stare at them.
Noticing the gaze, Ashton moved his arm and said obnoxiously,"You asked if I had a pencil. I do, and I'm using it. You should have asked if I had extra pencil."
"Fine," Luke huffed in annoyance and put on a fake smile. "Can I borrow an extra pencil, Irwin?"
Ashton rolled his eyes, pushing his glasses up a little more and went in his pencil case. It had his name on it, oh god. He handed Luke a pencil, smirking when Luke groaned. It wasn't sharpened. The hazel-eyed boy let out a small giggle, watching Luke get up and walk over to the pencil sharpener. His eyes traveled to Luke's legs, quickly glancing away when he returned.
For the rest of class, Luke had to deal with Ashton's annoying voice as he answered pretty much every answer and read out loud when no one else offered. He doesn't understand why he has to show off his brain, why not let someone else answer? It's not like you need the attention all the time.
His next few classes were the typical boring ones that made him want to leave school early. Calum was in one of them, flirting with his girlfriend like usual. He kept kissing her whenever the teacher wasn't looking and Luke mentally puked. It's disgusting to shove your tongue down someone's throat. At least when you're in public.
"Mr.Hood?"
Calum's head shot up, a stunned expression on his face,"Y-Yes ma'am?"
"Mind answering the question on the board?" She asked with an unamused expression. She obviously knew he wasn't paying attention. It's really rude to call someone out like that, and embarrassing. Luke felt a very small amount of pity, but also was entertained by his nervous look.
At first Calum just sat there, but then he read the question on the board with a confused face and cleared his throat,"Uh, five?"
"We're in history, Calum."
Everyone laughed, causing the poor guy to slouch in his seat with an embarrassed blush on his cheeks. Luke frowned, glancing around and bit his lip hesitantly. It really wasn't fair. The question was talking about longitude and latitude, there are numbers on the board so he doesn't blame Calum for being confused. It was kind of silly, but that doesn't mean people should laugh.
He doesn't even like Calum, yet he turned and gave the guy a sympathetic look. Calum glanced up with a frown, eyes meeting Luke's pitied ones and he sneered quietly,"Stop staring, freak."
Luke rolled his eyes, turning forward. Why does he even bother? He slumped his chin in the palm of his hands, watching the clock tick away till lunch came. He was sick of school, sick of being bored all the time and sick of being lonely. All he wanted to do was help someone and help himself, however he doesn't know how.
Finally, the bell rang and he eagerly got up then rushed down the halls. He went into lunch, seeing Michael sitting at their usual table without any food. He walked over, smiling when seeing Michael sneakily hugging his stuffed lion named Daniel.
Luke never knew the story behind the stuffed animal, all he knew is one time Michael lost him (they were around fourteen) and he was crying for hours. That's the only thing Michael will never tell him about, other than that, Luke can assure anyone that he knows everything about Michael.
He sat next to his best friend, glancing at the stuffed lion and asked quietly,"You sure you wanna have it out where people might see? I...I know he's special, but someone might tease you."
Michael frowned, shrugging though shyly pushed the lion under his jacket a little more,"I-I don't care, n-no one likes me anyways."
"I do," Luke offered, wrapping an arm around the shorter boy.
Michael gave him a small smile, the one he rarely shows. They didn't say anything for a while. Luke was kind of getting worried now. Usually they talk at least a little bit. Now Michael has been more distant, still cuddling and being physical close both would never tell him if he's okay or text him, not even smiling as much.
He glanced around with a curious gaze. His eyes landed on the jock table not too far away, hearing the loud, annoying girls exclaiming about their french club. They think that if they speak french then they can get anyone they want. Either way, their legs will spread no matter one. He doesn't get it, they slept with everyone, who else is left?
Calum was chatting with his girlfriend, sharing small kisses and whispering in her ear like crazy, making her face go a bright red. Honestly, his girlfriend is nice, but it's obvious they don't like each other. They're only dating for the sake of popularity, and Luke wonders why Calum even wants to be popular.
A confused expression showed when he looked over to a loned table in the back of the cafeteria. Ashton was sitting there, books spread out and lunch neatly laid down on the table from his lunchbox. He was reading quietly, all alone and Luke was actually confused because he seemed like he would have a few friends. Guess his big head got the best of him and he lost them all. Or maybe he never had any.
"L-Luke?" Luke looked towards Michael, who asked hesitantly,"C-Can we hang out after school again? I-I don't want to um, go home right away...I n-need something to do for a little bit."
That's when a thought occurred. His eyes spotted a poster not too far away, saying the words Key Club. He grinned, asking Michael instead,"Why don't we do something else instead?"
Michael's eyebrows furrowed and Luke explained,"You know, we have really crazy lives. But, we never know how to deal with it. I know you hated counseling and my dad would never pay for therapy. So, we should just make our own therapy instead. Help each other out and maybe a few other people."
"I-I don't like people," Michael frowned, fidgeting with his sleeves and tightened his grip on Daniel.
Luke chuckled sympathetically, lightly brushing his fingers on Michael's cheek,"I know, babe. That's the problem. We can't keep isolating ourselves. Maybe this can help us? It can get us a few new friends. I can talk to my math teacher, I can lie and say the club is like a robot thing or whatever and she just has to sign this paper. Then we'll be in charge and get a few people to join."
A nervous look formed on Michael's face,"Are y-you sure it'll help?"
"I promise," Luke assured, not knowing a whole load of problems are just about to occur.