Ella's pov:

"Well..." My mom saying thinking as she looks at me.

Just by watching her sudden actions, I feel my palms start to get a little sweaty.

Is it hot in here?

Why am I so nervous?

I was never bothered by what she thought about me before.

I never cared about her opinion on how I dress, or my hobbies, or even my lack of effort overall actually.

But now that I'm actually going to hear what she thinks, it kinda starts to make me feel anxious on what she is really thinking.

"Ella... she likes adventure. Much to my dismay, she likes to be put in the face of danger and have a challenge, which honestly makes her stronger than other people I have encountered with."

I stare at my mom in complete shock, we make eye contact but she looks away and back at Mrs. Barrington and smiles.

Did I hear that correctly?

No seriously, am I going insane?

Let me get this straight, MY mom, who has pretty much tried to control my life, thinks that I'm strong?

Does this mean I'm not a complete disappointment like I thought I was?

I really hope this is not a joke, because it definitely isn't funny.

"It is crazy how much has changed since the last time I saw them. They grew up with such different personalities." Mrs. Barrington says and my mom lightly shakes her head.

I hear someone clear their throat and I look up to see one of Luke's brothers looking at me.

"Hey, my name is Mason." He smirks and holds out his hand.

He looked at least two years older than me, but my guessing skills are pretty bad to be honest.

"Ella.." I say lowly, while hesitantly shaking his hand remembering what Ally said about Luke's older brothers.

And Ally normally doesn't get annoyed with people very often so who knows what kind of hell he could bring.

"Oh what a pretty name for a pretty girl." He winks at me.

Ally....

Was so right.

Usually I don't get upset over pick up lines... but it is just the way he said it.

He sounded like a total play boy which by itself is just plan out annoying.

"Uhm thanks?"

Hey.

Cut me some slack.

I have been stuck in my house for years do you really think I know a thing or two about how to flirt or accept a compliment?

"I may not be a genie, but I can make your dreams come true."

"I'm actually good...."

"You remind me of a magnet, because you sure are attracting me over here."

"I'm not even doing anything..."

"Can I follow you home? Cause my parents always told me to follow my dreams-.."

"Uhm.. I live here?"

You know, trying to hint to him that these pick up lines aren't really.. how do I say this... working.

At all.

"Okay, okay I'll stop." He says and fixes his tie.

"Okay..." I say and lean back in my chair.

"But seriously, did it hurt?"

"Did what hurt?"

"When you fell from heaven." He says again and does that awful wink.

"Can you keep a secret?" I whisper to him which catches his immediate attention.

His eyes go wide and he leans closer to me from across the table.

It amazes me how everyone else at the table was too caught up on talking and eating food to see us.

He lets out a sly grin as I lean towards his ear.

"I dug myself straight up from hell." I say monotone and his eyes go wide.

I hear a snort from beside me and I look over to see Luke trying not to laugh.

Mason's face is at first shocked, but then it turns into a glare as he sits back in his seat and looks down continuing to eat his food.

"No one has ever turned down my brother like that before." Luke whispers to me still trying to hold his laugh in so no one at the table acts suspicious.

But this makes me raise my eyebrow at him, "No one?" I whisper back.

At this, he nods his head, "Yeah, he can get like any girl he wants to go on a date with him."

"Well, not this girl." I smile at him and he nods his head.

"I guess that makes you special."

...

"You mean I was not already special?"

At this, Luke quickly looks away, "Oh look, I still have food on my plate."

"Hold on a second.."

"I should finish this before it gets cold, sorry can't talk any longer." He says and winks at me before turning back towards his food.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I can't believe you are leaving already." I whine to Luke as he puts his shoes on.

"Why, are you going to miss me too much?"

I grin, "I think it might be the other way around, Mr. Barrington."

But at this, he scrunches his nose, "Ew don't say that, that makes me feel old."

"Well maybe you are old." I smirk.

"Well, it would make sense, you do act like a child."

"Woah," I place my hand over my heart, "that really hurt."

"It shouldn't have, you dug yourself straight out of hell remember?" He laughs while I just roll my eyes.

"If you don't stop I might put you there." I threaten and he just throws his hands up in the air in defense.

"What did I say about murderous thoughts Ella Sanders?"

"That it is good as long as you don't get caught?"

"Exactly-.. wait no." He says standing up after finally tying his shoe.

I laugh, but it leaves as quick as it came once I hear Mrs. Barrington open the front door and tell Luke to hurry up.

"Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone." He says probably guessing that our parents will most likely try to have a get together again.

"Me? Trouble? I have no idea what you are talking about."

He only shakes his head at me as I follow him to my front door.

"Don't miss me too much Sanders." He says and follows his mom outside.

But I couldn't keep that promise.

Because something in my gut told me that until the next time I see him, I'm actually going to miss Luke Barrington.

Even his terrible building skills.