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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo4agyUGF1
“I’m going for a walk,” she announced, her voice quiet but firm.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3vcKJYwnM
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lRUBQzUGX
“I’ll come with you,” he said, grabbing his jacket.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabQTZFh3zB
Roxy sighed, already expecting this. “Luke, I’m fine. I just need some air.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMv1AeMBuX
“And I just need to stretch my legs. Win-win,” he replied casually, slipping his arms into the worn leather sleeves.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFQCGwDd1q
She didn’t argue further, knowing it would be useless. Instead, she rolled her eyes and slipped on her sneakers.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpo2AW7T3j
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?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W7IZYqjBY
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.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggosywF9cr
Reggie, sprawled on a chair in his ripped jeans and oversized t-shirt, chimed in. “Chips! And maybe a root beer?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH0wFnxVDf
Luke gave them a thumbs-up before following Roxy out the door.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIzt4TtN78
---
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7xMpVxHIC
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNUsiUGzlh
They walked in silence for a while before Roxy suddenly spoke.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkcpLbve56
“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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXQpulOQdh
He stopped walking, grabbing her arm gently to make her stop too. “Hey, don’t joke about that.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc10ZCItCDY
“I’m not,” she admitted, looking down at her sneakers. “Sometimes it feels like it’d be easier, you know? Just... disappearing.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSusQCpal4t
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.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrq5r5xXKZ
Roxy blinked, startled. “What?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9McAtR4uQ
“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.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2NUvX7EXl
For a moment, Roxy just stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or cry. Then a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRLvXQis0V
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, shaking her head.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwLFDwJfU8
“Maybe,” Luke said, grinning. “But you’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MfibfIFuq
They continued walking, the tension in the air easing slightly.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH0LEhRn1D
---
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqj9JmUNEC
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbfHsQi2GP
“Not hungry?” he asked casually.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKSyGGLc72
She shook her head without looking at him.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiSqj8UqpN
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGnn4UiNNN
“What’s this for?” Roxy asked, raising an eyebrow.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQUEvUqzm9
“You didn’t grab anything, and you need something,” he said simply.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85VanBi5LK
“I’m fine.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjSn7oq4Il
“Drink it anyway,” he insisted, nudging it toward her.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFHx0dObGZ
Roxy sighed but took a sip, and Luke grinned. “Tastes good, doesn’t it?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YpJuICmIz
“It’s okay,” she muttered, but she took another sip.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kxjBA4IqU
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG8gAG5aQI
---
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTN6bmhNSv
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.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF8DTTkJnO
“Chips and root beer delivered,” Luke announced, tossing the bag of snacks onto the counter.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4SWL0hmg3
Alex barely glanced up from his drum set, focused on the beat. Reggie, however, waved enthusiastically before diving into the bag.
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sZdw9RasS
As the music died down, Alex turned to Luke. “We’ve been thinking about the next song. Got any ideas?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwF9EBRtzRh
Luke sat on the couch, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “We could go for something upbeat—maybe with a strong hook?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJF7rXnlFu
Reggie nodded eagerly, munching on his chips. “Yeah, like something that gets stuck in your head but still has heart, you know?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRQlVxtREr
“What about Roxy?” Alex asked, glancing at her. “You’re singing in this one too, right?”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKDYPyNDe8
Roxy shrugged, still sipping the last of the smoothie. “I don’t know. I might sit this one out.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHlrJv0QZM
Luke immediately shook his head. “No way. Your voice adds something special. You’re in.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4ElfYt9OR
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.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQon7toGHvE
Luke smirked. “Deal. Let’s work on the melody tomorrow.”
72Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqulyYFSQv
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 15.158.61.19da2
