Roxy stood in the living room, fiddling with the edge of her tank top. Her gaze was fixed on the door, the urge to leave heavy in her chest. She needed air, needed space—needed to escape her own thoughts for a while.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN6a8bFIho
“I’m going for a walk,” she announced, her voice quiet but firm.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsUu2bh5WF
Luke, lounging on the couch, immediately perked up. He set his guitar aside and watched her carefully. He recognized that tone, the kind of tone that meant she wasn’t just going for a walk—she was running from something.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EZa32fsYZ
“I’ll come with you,” he said, grabbing his jacket.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOEbydLacm
Roxy sighed, already expecting this. “Luke, I’m fine. I just need some air.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxjMjuuXtv
“And I just need to stretch my legs. Win-win,” he replied casually, slipping his arms into the worn leather sleeves.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZuB6jtNbE
She didn’t argue further, knowing it would be useless. Instead, she rolled her eyes and slipped on her sneakers.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sU3Nl6ISM
Before they left, Luke called out to the kitchen where Alex and Reggie were. “Hey, we’re heading out. You guys want anything from the store?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotXRzOO5gk
Alex peeked out, his blonde hair falling in front of his face. He was wearing his usual hoodie and joggers. “Yeah, grab me a soda.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc7Wk9HbkP
Reggie, sprawled on a chair in his ripped jeans and oversized t-shirt, chimed in. “Chips! And maybe a root beer?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTaxm9LEHK
Luke gave them a thumbs-up before following Roxy out the door.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ80GXSQSdV
---
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzdSOe0K91
The night air was cool, and the streets were quiet. Roxy walked with her hands in her pockets, her pace brisk. Luke kept up easily, his long strides matching hers.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV5OpdnFLj
They walked in silence for a while before Roxy suddenly spoke.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZnkCLcAkK
“Maybe I should just run away,” she said, her tone half-joking but with an edge of seriousness that made Luke glance at her sharply.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoZjCqTTjt
He stopped walking, grabbing her arm gently to make her stop too. “Hey, don’t joke about that.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhts9WEu6o
“I’m not,” she admitted, looking down at her sneakers. “Sometimes it feels like it’d be easier, you know? Just... disappearing.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCsuBwx0ZP
Luke’s expression softened, and he released her arm. “If you’re serious about running away,” he said after a pause, “I’m coming with you.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2gYHS6fsl
Roxy blinked, startled. “What?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZecw5DF4i8
“I mean it,” Luke said, his voice steady. “If you want to leave, I’m not letting you do it alone. We can pack snacks, grab some cash, and hit the road. Alex and Reggie will probably chase us down eventually, but hey, it could be fun for a while.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEqHZRxFEH
For a moment, Roxy just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Then a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJEnGGHO4N
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, shaking her head.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQZA9Mj0dJ
“Maybe,” Luke said, grinning. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmKuVYEJnX
They continued walking, the tension in the air easing slightly.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYst4yePKB
---
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bJ9oiUsgQ
At the convenience store, Luke grabbed drinks and snacks for Alex and Reggie but didn’t pick anything for himself. He noticed Roxy wasn’t reaching for anything either, her arms crossed and her expression distant.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXLKeMRbpZ
“Not hungry?” he asked casually.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBcV1De2Jf
She shook her head without looking at him.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HztUCvT3V
Luke didn’t press further but grabbed a banana smoothie from the fridge. On their way back, he popped the lid and handed it to her.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWI5aktQzR
“What’s this for?” Roxy asked, raising an eyebrow.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa54UjUAf4g
“You didn’t grab anything, and you need something,” he said simply.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4H1vT6ywW
“I’m fine.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKgv8M4gmL
“Drink it anyway,” he insisted, nudging it toward her.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBmr4BRQud
Roxy sighed but took a sip, and Luke grinned. “Tastes good, doesn’t it?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw7g32EJIo
“It’s okay,” she muttered, but she took another sip.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iAP5gA3R1
Luke chuckled, taking the smoothie back and drinking some himself. They passed it back and forth, sharing it as they walked home in the quiet night.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXJTgLmbxW
---
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEpC7X6vu2
When they got back, the sound of music filled the air. Alex and Reggie were in the studio, mid-rehearsal, the energy in the room palpable.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DEZPEwjLj
“Chips and root beer delivered,” Luke announced, tossing the bag of snacks onto the counter.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2m4s6rkKI
Alex barely glanced up from his drum set, focused on the beat. Reggie, however, waved enthusiastically before diving into the bag.
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrUzZ7Z7Kj
As the music died down, Alex turned to Luke. “We’ve been thinking about the next song. Got any ideas?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg07iTvqfe
Luke sat on the couch, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “We could go for something upbeat—maybe with a strong hook?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjjJOmJtdW
Reggie nodded eagerly, munching on his chips. “Yeah, like something that gets stuck in your head but still has heart, you know?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMlqzMemtA
“What about Roxy?” Alex asked, glancing at her. “You’re singing in this one too, right?”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF3tNcYijH
Roxy shrugged, still sipping the last of the smoothie. “I don’t know. I might sit this one out.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7POb0bGrPx
Luke immediately shook his head. “No way. Your voice adds something special. You’re in.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfxP8JDJpZ
Roxy rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. “Fine. But only if it’s not too high-pitched. I’m not straining my voice for you guys.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xfNsGXITO
Luke smirked. “Deal. Let’s work on the melody tomorrow.”
11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc06d3EuXL
As the boys started packing up their instruments, Luke leaned closer to Roxy. “By the way, thanks for sharing the smoothie. Next time, I’m getting my own.”
ns 15.158.61.40da2
