I frown and type back a reply as I walk down the hallway. Noah's thoughts don't scare me that much like they would scare any other person. He always has his random thoughts and I don't mind that, but sometimes I get really worried about him.

Like that one time when he wondered if the nuclear world is the real world that we're supposed to live in and that the bacterium is the one doing researches about us. I asked him if had hit his head against the lantern hanging from the ceiling again. He didn't.

As I round the corner, I notice Jennie and Luke standing together next to the lockers in the hall. I freeze and peek from around the corner. Jennie's back is facing me and I can see a clear view of Luke's face.

My eyebrows shoot up when I see Luke smiling, like actual smiling. Jennie's voice pipes up, but I don't catch what she is saying, then Luke replies and laughs and Jennie's laugh sounds next. Her laugh is actually beautiful and angelic, unlike me, whose laugh sounds like a high mouse.

I couldn't help but let the questions flow in my mind, why is Luke talking Jennie? Since when did they actually start talking to each other again? Are they friends now or something? I thought Jennie was hanging out with Seth now. Did something happen between them?

Okay, seriously...what's wrong with me?

It's none of my business who does Luke talk to or what's happening between them. It's his life, not mine. He can do whatever he wants.

I round around the corner and walk down the hallway casually as if I wasn't just watching them or anything. I stroll past them, playing dumb. That's what I'm used to anyway. Wake up. Play dumb. Repeat.

"Cherries," Luke calls and I stop, turning around.

"Oh...hey, Luke," I smile and turn to Jennie with the smile still on my face, "hey, Jennie."

"Anna," she smiles back sweetly and I almost believed that she was really being sweet, until she sounded like she was throwing up my name. Almost.

"I see you guys are talking again. That's nice," I turn to Luke and smile.

"Yeah. Jennie apologized about everything she did and stuff," he replies.

"And I really am sorry. Seth was a total asshole and he should have never treated you like that," she tells Luke, sounding real apologetic. I never thought I would hear Jennie apologizing or even close to being sincere.

"It's alright, Jen," he assures her.

I'm suddenly beginning to feel like a third-wheel.

"Well, I should probably go," I announce and I'm about to turn around, when Luke speaks up.

"Wait, Cherries. Can you wait for me by my car? I kind of wanted to show you something," he says.

"Yeah, sure. I'll meet you by your car after school," I declare, giving him one last smile and walking away.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I slip it out, instantly knowing it's Noah.

New text message from Noah's Ark.

"Boo," a finger pokes my side and I squeal, jumping at least two feet in the air, clutching my phone to my chest.

Sophie laughs loudly, "What was that?"

"Don't do that," I glare at her, hitting her arm and putting my phone back in my pocket.

"What did you do with Luke yesterday?" She nudges me as we start walking to English class, the last class (thank God).

"We just hung out at the arcade for awhile. Played a few games, then we ate dinner. That's it," I shrug.

"What? No juicy stuff?" She asks.

"We were just hanging out, Soph. We didn't do anything," I tell her.

"And when are you actually going to do something?"

"Never," I deadpan.

"You're no fun," she huffs.

I ignore her, "I saw him talking to Jennie."

"Luke?"

"No, Chewbacca," I reply sarcastically and she rolls her eyes.

"But I thought they stopped talking after Jennie started hanging out with Seth," she frowns.

"I thought so too, but he said that she apologized and she did really sound sincere," I tell her.

"So they're like friends now?" She questions.

"Something like that," I respond and her mouth forms into an 'o' shape.

"Do you think they might start hooking up?" She blurts out.

"What kind of question is that, Sophie?"

"Your relationship is in danger. What do you think my first thought is?"

"Relationship?" I furrow my eyebrows. "Okay...Luke and I are still friends, even if he and Jennie become 'closer'. We will still be friends," I try to convince her and I know that I'm trying to convince myself too.

Although I tried my hardest not to show it, I was annoyed by Jennie and Luke's relationship and I was worried that Luke might stop hanging out with me as time passed by, but I didn't let these thoughts consume my mind too much. Nothing is going to change between me and Luke.

"Let's hope so," Sophie mutters, as if she didn't want me to hear.

Let's really hope so.

| | | |

"The diner?" I turn to Luke and frown.

"Yeah. Come on," he gestures for me to follow and walks inside the diner with me following him.

"You wanted to show me the diner?" I ask.

"Just wait, Cherries," he says.

Tina walks out of the door of the kitchen and smiles widely, making her brown eyes wrinkle at the corner, "Lucas, tesoro. I missed you," she hugs him tightly.

"Hey, Aunt Tina," he replies, hugging her short frame back.

Suddenly she pulls away from him, crosses her arms and glares at him, "you're late."

Late? For what?

"Look-"

"No, no, no. Your excuses won't work this time. Tell me what really happened this time," she states firmly.

"I was waiting for Cherries. That's all," he explains, holding up his hands in defense.

"Cherries?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Anna," he corrects.

Tina turns to me and smiles widely, "I forgive you because you brought Lyn."

She opens her arms for me. I smile at her and hug her. Tina is like a best friend to me. I basically grew up in Pinecrest diner and I like to spend most of my time with her.

"I didn't know that you knew my nephew," she says as soon as she pulls away.

"I do. He's my friend," I tell her. For some reason, the word feels foreign on my tongue, almost as if Luke and the word 'friends' don't fit together.

"Well, that's a cute pair," she teases, grinning and I smile shyly. Tina turns to Luke and her expression switches into a firm one. "Get to work," she orders him, pointing at him.

That's when it hits me. Luke works at the diner.

"Alright, alright," Luke tells her and she gives him a pointed look.

"Roxie, Luke is here! You're off duty!" Tina yells at Roxie as she walks to a door that has 'Staff only' on its top. Roxie notices me and she gives me a smile, then she takes notice of Luke with me and her smile turns devilish. I roll my eyes and turn to Luke.

"You work here?" I ask him, as Luke and I head to where the cashier is.

"Yeah. Six days a week, but only in the afternoons," he replies and he grabs one of the aprons, puts it on and ties it around his waist. "Thanks, Rox," he tells Roxianne.

"No problem," she responds and heads off to take orders.

"Wow," I drawl out and take a seat on one of the chairs. "That's so cool."

"Cool?" He questions, raising an eyebrow as he stands in front of the cashier.

"Yup," I nod my head and prop my elbow on the top of the table, resting my chin on my palm.

"Cherries, I'm pretty sure nobody thinks that work is cool, unless they're really interested in what they're doing."

"Aren't you interested in what you're doing?" I ask him.

"I guess, but it's mainly to help my mom and my sisters. After dad passed away, my mom took the whole burden on her shoulders and I decided to help her with saving money for our needs and all of that."

His father did really pass away.

I sit up straighter. "I'm sorry about your loss."

"It's fine. It has been seven years anyways. We got used to it," he shrugs.

"I bet he's proud of you," I smile.

"Thanks, Cherries," he gives me a lopsided smile.

It stays quiet between us before I speak up, "can I help?"

"With...?"

"Whatever you're doing." I sit on top of the counter and turn around, swinging my legs around, then I hop off of the counter, landing right in front of Luke. He doesn't bother stepping back or moving away.

"You want to help?" He asks slowly as if he's testing the sentence.

"Yes. I can help you do anything." I switch my gaze between his eyes to distract me from the fact that we're literally pressed against each other.

"How about you take the orders?" He offers.

"What about Tina?" I ask him, letting out a huge breath at the proximity.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

"She's my aunt and she likes you. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you help," he says in a low voice.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

"Okay then."

He moves away and I puff my cheeks with air before letting it all out. Luke grabs one of the aprons on the hanger and hands it to me. I put the red apron on and tie it from behind.

"Okay, so..." Luke starts and he explains what should I do and how to communicate with the customers.

"This is kind of scary. I don't like talking to people, especially strangers," I lock my hands behind my back and move my foot around, looking down on the floor.

"Cherries, you are just taking their orders. You are not asking for their phone numbers. You'll be fine. And remember my advice. All you have to do is do your best, not give a shit and hope for the best," Luke assures me, then he bends down a bit to catch my gaze. "Alright?"

I move my head up and down slowly and he smiles at me, the two cute little dimples appearing on each curve of his mouth.

"Good," he says. "Now turn around, so we could fix this mess you call a hairstyle."

I touch my hair, feeling offended. "It's called a bun."

"The only buns I know are cinnamon buns. Turn around," he commands.

"Okay, Mr. Bossy," I comment and turn around.

Luke takes my hair out of the bun and he runs his fingers through it a few times, probably unknotting the crap inside. Then he holds my hair high up and he ties my hair with the hair band. He turns me back around, so I'm facing him and he pulls a few hair strands out to frame my face.

"There you go," Luke admires his work. "Now, you don't look like a donut decided to sit on your head." He gets out his phone and turns it on, then he turns the screen of the phone towards me.

"This actually looks really great," I say, taking the phone between my hands and turning my head around to get better views of my hair. "Do you practice on your secret stash of Barbie dolls?"

"No," he gives me a dry look. "Clara and Luna always force me to do their hair."

"Aw, how cute," I coo, smiling.

"I know I'm pretty cute," he grins.

I blink, "I was talking about your relationship with your sisters."

"That involves me, which is why it's cute," he boasts.

"Lucas!" Tina's voice snaps from behind us and I let out a squeak in surprise.

I find Tina peeking from the vent of the kitchen with a glare on her face.

"Why aren't you working?" She asks him.

"How the hell am I supposed to work when there are no customers?"

"Just like you manage to do something idiotic without trying," she shoots at him and I cover my mouth with my hands, letting out a beautiful pig-like snort.

"Thanks, Aunt Tina," he deadpans.

"You're helping, Lyn?" Tina asks with a grin.

"Yeah, if you don't mind," I tell her.

"Of course, I don't mind, sweetheart. I appreciate your help," she smiles at me. "You kids work hard," she winks and disappears back in the kitchen.

| | | |

The fact that Luke does all of this for his family amazes me so much. He doesn't only work as the cashier, but he switches with one of employees and works as a waiter too. I also did everything to help him, so he wouldn't have to do so much.

I may have messed up a couple of times at the beginning by stuttering and embarrassing myself, like for example: when one of the customers thanked me, I replied with 'right back at you'. I practically flew out of there after that and Luke laughed at me after I told him.

Luke finishes his shift at eight in the evening and we get in his car to go back home, but I notice Luke taking a different route and I give him a look of confusion.

"Aren't we going home?" I ask him.

"I wanted to show you something first," he replies.

"Okay," I say slowly. "But just know that you have to get me home before midnight or I'll get murdered."

"How do you perform at midnight then?"

"That happened twice only and it's called the mastery of tricking your folks," I explain.

"You're meaning to tell me that six family members don't notice you missing?" He questions, as he stirs the wheel to the right.

"My dad is never home; he stays in his office. My mum is too tired to notice and my brothers have their own lives," I shrug.

"Don't worry, Cherries. You'll be home way before midnight," he reassures me.

As Luke drives by, the buildings start disappearing and rows of trees start replacing them. The car comes to a stop after awhile and Luke and I get out of the car. The trees stand tall in front of us, their towering heights almost reaching up and touching the navy blue sky with their tips.

"That's what you wanted to show me?" I ask.

"No," he answers. "You'll see after awhile. Just keep up."

Luke walks inside the woods and I follow him. The trees and darkness surround us everywhere as we go deeper into the green wonderland. The only thing that could be heard is the crunching of the leaves underneath our shoes and the rustling of them on trees. The woods are no doubt one of the most majestic places ever. They look gorgeous in the evening and I'm sure they would look even more stunning in the morning. Nature is over all amazing and I truly admire it; from its remarkable creatures to its breathtaking views.

For about ten minutes, we just walk around until I notice a tree fort not too far away and it becomes bigger and bigger as we move closer. It's the same tree house from Luke's photo, I realize. The place looked fabulous in the photo, but now that I'm seeing it in reality, it looks even more beautiful.

"This is so beautiful," I comment.

"It is," he nods and walks to it, then he climbs the ladder leading to the fort and I follow his movements.

The house looks pretty cool on the inside. It's a bit dark on the inside but the moonlight brightens up the place. There's a couple of cupboards on it's right side and an air mattress on the left side. A large window opening is giving a view of the world outside and letting the moonlight seep through and inside.

"You sleep here?" I question, sitting next to Luke who is seated in front of the opening.

"Sometimes, yeah," he responds and he gets something out of his pocket which I realize is a pack of cigarettes and his lighter, then he gets one of the crappy canes out.

"I thought you stopped smoking." I pull my legs up and hug them as I watch him place the cigarette between his lips, light it up and take a drag from it.

"You can't simply stop an addiction, Cherries. It takes time and until that time comes, you cherish every moment of it." He takes another drag out of his crappy cane.

"Even if it's bad for you?" I arch an eyebrow in question

He doesn't say anything, he just lets out a sigh, blowing the smoke out of his mouth. The white puff hits my nose and I feel my nostrils burning as I cough heavily, waving my hand around to get rid of the smoke.

"You know, the least you could do is respect your claustrophobic friend," I wheeze.

"Shit. I forgot about that." Luke drops the cigarette on the wooden floor and steps on it, completely crushing it, then tossing it away.

"That's littering," I cringe as I watch the cigarette hitting the ground and Luke just shrugs.

"Give it to me," I hold my palm out to him.

"What?" He frowns.

"Don't play dumb. Give me the pack," I demand.

"Cherries-"

"Give it to me," I repeat in a strict voice.

Luke stares at me for a bit, then he hands me the white pack of crappy canes. I slip it in the pocket of my jacket.

"Why did you bring me here?" I ask him to take his mind off of the whole cigarettes thing.

"My dad and I built this when I was eight," he begins. "We had just moved from Italy back then. I told him that I wish I had a tree fort and he promised me that we would build one as soon as we landed in California."

When I don't say anything, he goes on, "We kind of made this little thing in which we would carve, the names of the people we love most, in the tree." A small smile tugs on Luke's lips at the memory.

"When did your dad pass away?" I ask him softly.

Luke's smile drops and an emotionless expresssion appears on his face instead. "Three years later. My dad and I were walking back home in the evening. We accidentally took the wrong street and there was a shooting there. He tried to protect me, but he got shot and died."

Hearing this from Luke breaks me so much and it's like I could imagine the scene perfectly. An eleven year-old boy standing helplessly, watching his father bleed to death. No way to intercept it. No way to stop it.

"What happened after that?"

"I started having nightmares of that night. My mom noticed and she took me to a therapist. It wasn't as bad as people claim. It sucked a lot, but it helped. The therapist diagnosed me with depression. I had to take anti-depressants and other shit types of prescriptions,

"The therapy sessions lasted for about four years, until the nightmares and the flashbacks stopped, but it didn't last long and they started again when another shooting happened nearby a street where mom and I were walking,

"Since I was fifteen, the nightmares would continue on, but I never told mom or the girls. I didn't want to. I took sleeping pills, but they didn't work as I thought they would and I just let go of the idea of sleeping. The nightmares triggered my depression and it ruined everything," Luke explains.

"What were the nightmares about?" I question.

"Blood," he replies bluntly. "Just blood. Either it's someone getting killed or me getting killed. Or both. One time it was mom. Other was Clara or Luna,