odd choice of friends '' luka

[bailey erin owens]

Friend number three. Hell it’d been a few months…so Bailey was doing fairly well on the ‘meeting new people’ front. What with Derek, them Dominic and now Luka. But Luka was probably the best for her sort of highs and lows. Not necessarily her favorite. That would be a hard pick, though something would more than likely draw her more to Derek. Luka was just…well his entire persona was soft which was perfect for Bailey. She knew the moment she approached him in her own manner that he was nice. The best part was his guitar. Our dear Bailey seemed to be in love with acoustics. Guitar, voice, all of it was just soothing altogether. He wasn’t ever harsh like Derek—no that she minded—and he wasn’t too awkward like Dommie—like she really noticed—he was just like the light of the candles he kept burning in his room.

Another fantastic part. The boy’s room was soothing. Peaceful. She could more than likely sit in his room, or lay—even when her highs weren’t so high—and still be completely content. Not that that meant anything bad for the others just that…his room had the atmosphere. Odd huh? So when Bailey wasn’t running into Derek or coaxing Dominic out of his room for a walk to the park, she strolled down the halls to the boys dorms and bugged Luka. In her own strange way.

Today bailey dressed in another one of her dresses, this one blue, a pair of big boots, knee highs and a sweater. Not necessarily the epitome of fashion but did you really think Bailey paid attention to those things? She’d shot up some time early in the morning and was now making her way down the various halls. Skipping occasionally, twirling just to see her dress spin, humming, being Bailey. Could you imagine her simply walking down the halls like any other normal gal? Hell no.

Upon coming to the familiar door she grinned, and rapped on the door with her knuckles and rested the side of her face against the wood. “Luuuke,” That’s right she never called him Luka. It was either Luke or any other weird name she could come up with. Aside from musicman, or anything entailing music. Those names were reserved specifically for her little drummer boy—Dominic. She giggled and tapped again, this time with the other hand. She couldn’t hear a thing coming from inside. But she knew, of course, that the boy would be there. He was always there when she came by.

[luka layden merik]

I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
Wearing

The soft glow of candlelight flickered slowly behind his closed eyes. Luka lay on his bed, hearing the soft music through the headphones. He'd been laying her ever since class let out. He wasn't sure what time it was, but the sun was still poking its head through his heavy curtains. He could only guess for a couple hours only. He was so lost in the music he was listening to, he didn't quiet here the soft tapping on his door.

The scent was the first thing to catch his attention. The warm sweetness wafted from the door and filled his nostrils. He breathed in deeply as he sat up. He knew who it was, not only by the soft sweet scent, but by the bitter taint lingered in her blood. He could smell the drugs. It was a shame really Bailey was a nice girl. Luka was very protective of her. She needed someone to look out for her. He knew she was friends with Derek, he was an unsavory vampire to say the least. He sighed and stood up, hearing her call out her version of his name.

The tall boy never let anyone call him anything but Luka. But he didn't have the heart to tell her no. He just smiled when she called him Luke...or any of the silly pet names she could think of at the moment. With lightning speed, he jumped off the bed and moved to open the door. He smiled at the small brunette. "Hey". He stepped aside to let her in. The only good thing his father ever did for him was teach him manners. Though the old leech would be throwing a fit, if he knew those manner were being used on a human. "Come on in."

He could tell she was still high. The bitter scent was faint on her blood. It made Luka frown. He couldn't understand why she was poisoning herself. He had tried to talk to her about it before, but she wouldn't listen. He closed the door behind her. "What do I owe the pleasure?" He grinned, he could at least take her mind off wanting to do it again. "Bored again?", he chuckled and made his way to his guitar at a slow human pace. She was one of the only humans he had befriended. She still didn't know about him. She was naive to his secret and he wished to keep it that way for as long as possible.

He grabbed the instrument and sat on the bed. It was their ritual. He would play, sometimes sing for her and she would listen. It was a comfortable relationship. She was easy to talk to and quite amusing for a human...when she was having a good day. Bad ones, he would comfort her. Today seemed good so far. "Any requests?" he sat and got comfortable, he offered her a warm smile and waited for her to take a seat by him.

[bailey erin owens]

She waited patiently, though the word held a total different meaning for Bailey than it did any other being on this planet. She stood, bouncing on her heels, rapping on the door a bit more, turning in circles. She even called out his name a few times. Or, at least, her own variation of. And right when she was about to call him something to the extent of buddy boy or teddy bear the door opened. To which her smile widened and she threw herself at him. Well…not literally. Just hopped up onto the balls of her feet and flung her arms around his neck. “Hey.” She repeated in his own tone, yes mocking him, and then proceeded into the dimly lit, yet all too familiar space, before he asked her to come in.

Luka, reject her? Never…

He always had a special little way with words. Well…not that she knew how he sounded to anyone else, but just the way he spoke made her smile. Because it was so nice. That, with the proper enhancements of course, he almost appeared angelic. Now try and place an angel in front of a teenage girl and tell her to not want to spend her every waking moment around him. Basically…that was Bailey’s predicament for you. She had a hard time staying away. And he never really confronted her about anything, he wasn’t difficult to discuss things with. He wasn’t awkward or abrasive. So…bingo. Perfect companion for those days when she was feeling especially lonely.

“Well, of course silly.” She giggled and strolled on over to his bed. Bailey basically equaled bored. You couldn’t find the two apart. Which probably aided to her constant need for entertainment. Which…normally bugged the crap out of every and any person that had the terrible misfortune to have come into contact with her. “You’re room’s kinda dark,” she noted softly and managed to lay full out on his bed…with him also sitting there. Bailey…knew no boundaries. Obviously. “You should turn some lights on.” Of course she wouldn’t be the one to actually turn them on for him and see how he reacted. Bailey made observations. And the occasional petty action. But she never, ever did anything…that she knew might make someone upset. Unless it was Derek...she tended to set him off.

“Nope, lukie. Just…sing.” And almost instantly she found herself at ease in the calm that was Luka’s bedroom, eyes shut, and awaiting the imminent sound of guitar and beautiful male vocals.

[luka layden merik]

I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal
Wearing
Song

“You should turn some lights on.”

This was the first time she had made a comment about the light in the room. Luka didn't need the light of the burning candles to see. His vampiric greenish-yellow eyes saw just as easily in the dark. He frowned lightly though he nodded. He didn't like the light that much. The light showed his pale skin and strange eyes more. He stood up at an agonizingly slow human pace. He could have been up in less than a few seconds, if Bailey had not been in the room. Walking over, he flicked the desk lamp on. The bare-sh room now showed more prominently. He had few possesion. It wasn't for lack of money. He had more than he knew what to do with. He just didn't want it. He refused to accept his father's constant gifts. He moved back down beside Bailey and smiled warmly at her. "Better now?", his soft yet deep voice rumbled quietly.

“Nope, lukie. Just…sing.”

She didn't want to heard anything in particular today. She just wanted to hear him sing to her. Luka smiled at her "You got it sweetheart". He readjusted the guitar and offered her his shoulder, if she wanted to lean against his cool body. Nimble fingers strummed at the wires. He didn't need to use a pick. The playing would do nothing to harm his hard fingers, as it would the tender fingers of a human. He had been working on this one for a while. It had never been played for anyone. Bailey was always the one he played new songs for. His voice was soft as he began the first verse.

"I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
Cause no one else cared

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest"

As his fingers moved quickly to each cord, he smiled at her. The song seemed fitting for their relationship. One day, his secret would be revealed. He only hoped he would still be allowed to give her comfort. He prayed that when it did happen, she would not be afraid of him. That she would remember that he had always been there for her and accepted She was such a strange human...but he liked her. She was a good person. Luka only hoped she would see the same in him.

"Don't be afraid
I've taken my beating
I've shared what I made

I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are


When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest"

His foot tapped to the tempo he was keeping in his head. Bailey always seemed to enjoy his music. She was someone who he could share it with. He could play for her just for the sake of playing...and killing her boredom. He glanced towards the window. The sun was still bright in the day's sky. The light threatened to poke through the heavy curtains. He felt the slight burn in the back of this throat. He cursed himself internally, while his mouth continued to sing to her, for nbot feeding the night before. He could only hope his resolve stayed strong around the tiny human.

"Forgetting
All the hurt inside
You've learned to hide so well

Pretending
Someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are her of her flaws."

As the song came to a close, Luka's voice grew silent for a few moments longer. His nimble fingers playing random cords, creating a lovely add-lib melody. Playing proved to be a pleasant distraction to his hunger. Finally he looked over to her. "What'd ya think? That's a new one," he forced a smile to hide his slight discomfort.

[bailey erin owens]

“Yep.” She nodded a bit more exaggerated than any normal person would find necessary, but this was Bailey remember? And bearing that in mind it is also imperative to remember that Bailey doesn’t…really like the dark. At all. It sort of terrified her. The girl even had a night light or two in her room. The thing about Bailey was…everything and I do mean everything was magnified, intensified, twenty-four seven. It was almost having insane senses, except…not really. Just what she could hear, what she could see and feel, was magnified by about two hundred percent. And then from there it was twisted a bit. In short the girl had messed up senses. Hence why she thought so highly of Luka, or why she adored Dominic, or why she absolutely couldn’t leave Derek alone. All three of them held one specifically dominant characteristic…which to her was magnified. And therefore…she obsessed over them.

Bailey smiled, silently turning down his offer to cuddle up next to his arm and closed her eyes at the first sound of beautiful music. For that was what it always was whenever she listened to Luka, or Luke, play. Beautiful, beautiful music. He could screw up a chord—which he never did—or his voice could crack—never—and she would still hear the most magnificent sound…
God, what was it with her and musicians?
Surely there was some hidden meaning behind the words, each and every one of them, but to Bailey…it was just a song. Any sort of meaning, or hidden truth was wasted on the poor girl. The thing was you had to be blatantly obvious with Bailey to get anything across. Have a problem with that? Well chances are you probably shouldn’t even be talking to her at all. She can get quite annoying…

For not understanding any of the lyrics deeper purpose Bailey surely did enjoy the song. A small soft smile plastered on her face, one of her feet tapped to the beat and she sat up truly impressed and undoubtedly happy when he finished. “I love it Luke.” She giggled lightly and finally took the opportunity to scooch up to his side and lean against him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Thankyou.” She smiled, nearly whispering the words. Another thing about Bailey, she always made sure to thank Luka whenever he sang for her. Or did anything really…simply because he seemed so polite.
“You should teach me how to play this.” She nodded and tapped his arm. By this she meant the guitar. And by teach she more than likely meant try. Like Bailey would ever really be able to learn to play an instrument. Think about it.

“Luke…” Ok, time for random Bailey…ness. She reached up scratching her neck and decidedly returned both hands to a folded position in her lap. “Why do you like it dark?” She glanced towards the curtains looking for the sun she hoped was still fighting to get through. Not that she hated that he liked it dark…in fact it was kind of exciting. He was probably one of the only people she could feel safe…in the dark…with. Purely because she was used to being with him…in the dark. Basic fact.

[luka layden merik]

I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
Wearing

“I love it Luke...Thankyou.”

He felt her move against his cool body. Her soft words were not lost in the darkness of his room. His sensitive ears could pick up on a pin dropping. He smiled warmly at her. "You're very welcome Bailey." He looked down at her head on his shoulder. He could smell her so strongly. He was trying so hard to behave, but the close proximity was difficult. He could hear the blood coursing through her veins. He bit back a growl that was threatening to come from his mouth. He wouldn't do anything to her. He wouldn't dare hurt her and he would expose himself.

“You should teach me how to play this.”

Luka felt the soft tapping on his arm. She wanted to learn to play? That was good. He nodded, waiting just a moment before speaking. "Yeah, I could. It's not easy but I bet you would like it." He wasn't sure she was committed enough to learn to play. It took dedication. Luka had been playing since he was seven years old. The old guitar in his hands was his mothers. It was one of the few possessions that his father didn't discard after she died. Either way, he would still try, if she was willing. "I'd be happy to show you."

Luke…Why do you like it dark?”

He felt a new tension in the room. The scent of her changed lightly. New emotions were taking over, releasing new chemicals within her. He could smell them strongly. He wasn't surprised with the tone of her question. She was always so timid when it came to trying to not upset him. She always, even high, took his feelings into account. Her question posed a possibility of answers. Did he tell her the truth? She was bound to learn it eventually. She did go to this school after all. He certainly wasn't the only vampire among the students that matriculated at Forevermore. No! He wouldn't ruin the good thing they had just yet. She was a good friend. He didn't know how long it would last if she knew what he was.

He followed her eyes to the window. The light still spilled from the dark curtains. It was a reminder of what was out there. In here he was just Luka. Just a normal guy. But if he went out there, he was something entirely different. He was an animal. Sure he didn't kill, but that didn't mean he didn't always want to be good. The beast inside him had been bottled up for so long. He didn't know when it would resurface...and that scared him. "Sometimes things look better in the dark. No one can see my flaws...like they could out there." He pointed to the window, trying to hide his uncomfortableness from Bailey. "Everyone has secrets Bailey", he reached over and brushed a few rogue strands of hair from her face. He tried smiling. Anything to put her and himself at ease.

[bailey erin owens]

In reality…Bailey would more than likely never be able to learn to play guitar. Well, I take that back. Maybe in a set amount of time…she could learn something. But the truth is she’d probably just have to re-learn it all over again the next time she sat down with Luka to practice. It’s actually a miracle the girl made it this far in school. Considering (one) she never went and (two) she couldn’t retain a damn thing, even if she tried. Sad, sad, fact about Bailey. Of all the things she wanted to learn to do…guitar was probably on her top priorities list. The poor thing had a love for anything acoustic…

Being the clueless little junkie she was Bailey hadn’t the slightest clue that any of her mannerisms…any at all, could and did cause tension with Luka. She didn’t notice his body tense, couldn’t see anything In his eyes. She didn’t notice how he looked at her, or how he always appeared to be silently calculating something. Of which she wouldn’t even be able to decipher even if she did notice all those things. Which, in reality, made Bailey a prime target for just about any predator-like…thing that walked this planet. The poor thing was clueless, twenty-four seven. And the worst part of it was that even if she stopped taking the drugs now, even if she went to a rehab or sorts and got chained down to her bed every night, she’d still have the worst judgment and awareness skills known to mankind. Sad right?

“Flaws?” she giggled and looked up at him remaining in her comfortable position at his side. Luka? Flaws? No way…He was so perfect. In fact that was the one little unique…thing about him that she admired. He was sweet. He was handsome(like she had a clue). He was polite. He could sing, he could play guitar. There were so many different little things that made up Luka…and none of them, not one—from what she could see—made him imperfect. Nothing stole from that radiance he seemed to emit. “You’re wonderful Lukie.” She smiled and sat up slightly to look at him.

Secrets? Who said anything about secrets?
“Not me.” She shook her head, like a child being told Santa wasn’t real. People were honest. Easy to read—though she was terrible at it. What could be more obvious than…people?