At 26, life is mundane. But there was once a time that you were young, wild, and very free. Before you moved to San Francisco, got a job in photography, bought your own house, or met your fiancé Tom; you were a crazy girl living in LA.
Back then you were very familiar with a band called 5 second or summer. Most of all, familiar with Luke Robert Hemmings. It all seems very distant now, but it was once your reality. Taking pictures of them at their concerts, being incorporated into lyrics, sneaking around with Luke. But that all ended when the two of you broke up. It was very messy, and you’d be lying if you said you didn’t think about it sometimes. You’ll never forget the day, January 1st of 2018 at 2:00 am. After all, it wasn’t really that long ago.
The two of you had had gone to a new year’s party the night before, one of those parties that’s crawling with industry plants. The band was trying to lay groundwork for their new album after a break, so you thought it was a great idea to do some networking. You didn’t think it was a great idea anymore, however, when Luke got blackout drunk and punched a guy square in the face for talking to you. Usually that would end in an argument and eventually kissing and making up, but his alcohol consumption had been a constant topic recently, and that was your last straw. Your new year started with no midnight kiss and no boyfriend. Sometimes you wish you had stuck it out long and been there for him, but you couldn’t take it. You had problems of your own and didn’t have time to parent your partner.
But that didn’t matter now, because this was a new day that you would never forget. June 15th of 2022, your wedding day. It started in an hour, and your anxiety caused you to be ready entirely too early, so you decided to take this time to pace around the venue. But as you walk around, your mind wonders. Of course you questioned whether you made the right decision saying yes, it’s a bit hard to settle down after dating a pop star for 3 years. But Tom was a good guy, an amazing guy. He made you happy, and things were much calmer than they were with Luke. But that was the problem. Was it too Calm? You had contemplated breaking up with him a while ago, but then impulsively said yes when he surprised you with a proposal. Amazing timing.
You take a deep breath, trying to get your shit together and suck it up before it was time to get married. The air gets stuck in your throat when you see the root of your problems in front of you. Like a savior, a very bad a wrong savior, none other but Luke is standing infront of you in a suite and tie. “I-“ Before you can process anything happening, he says the words. The three little words you couldn’t help but hope you’d hear in his stupid Australian accent. “Don’t marry him.”
You’re frozen in place, shocked as he tells you you look more beautiful than he could’ve ever imagined. You never thought you’d see him again outside of magazines and twitter posts, but here he is. Crashing your wedding, of all things. “How did you even know?” You finally get out, eyes wide. But there’s a twinkle inside them. “Your instagram’s public. And I’m crazy, remember?” He jokes. You look at him in awe for a few more moments, admiring the way he’s aged like wine, before shaking yourself out of the trance. “You had years, 4 years. And you show up on my wedding day? This is crazy Luke! The last time we talked you punched a guy in the face.”
He knows it’s crazy, you can see it on his face. But you can also see the hope in his eyes. Like he knows you’ll come with him no matter. And that bothers you, because it’s true. “I was jealous.” He jokes pathetically. But after a few moments he gets serious, like he suddenly realizes the weight of the situation. “I know, I know it’s crazy! But so is this!” He speaks with urgency, pulling at the wedding dress on your body. “I’ve changed, I’m sober now. I can treat you right. You’re 25 Y/N! And you’re getting married to…some guy? If you must get married, let it be me.”
You swear you’re about to faint as you watch him kneel in front of you, looking up at you like a puppy. “Please get up.” You beg, sighing as he shakes his head no and grabs onto the sides of your dress. “I love you. I never stopped loving you. Run away with me. Please.” He pleads, the end coming out so quietly you think it was an inside thought. And then he pulls it out of his pocket, a beautiful ring. It is indeed bigger than the one currently on your finger, by quite a bit.
You slap your hands over your mouth, in utter disbelief. “Oh my god. Oh my god this is so bad.” Your words come out in a panicked whisper as you freak out. Running away from your wedding is unforgivable, but it feels so right. “You mean it?” You ask slowly, your face painted with nerves. He nods at the speed of light, holding up the ring with a smile. You take a deep breath, looking down at the one already on your finger. You slide it off, tossing it into the distance. “Okay.” One hand holds your thumbnail between your teeth and the other drops to Luke. He slides the ring onto your finger before standing to his feet and picking you up, spinning you around. His embrace is enough to make you cry, something you’d forgotten how much you loved.
He grabs hold of your hand and the two of you run away, holding your heels for you as you jog through a field. In this moment, adrenaline pumping through your veins and love pumping through your heart, you’ve never felt happier. You’re young again, and wild and free. And you’re with Luke. Deep down, you’d always known this is how it was meant to be. Your future seemed bland without him in it, because he was the light of your life. And you were his. “This is literally crazy!” You shout with a laugh, running so fast your feet can’t keep up. “Slow down, we’re far enough now! Are you that excited to get away?” He teases from behind you. You slow to a stop, turning around with a smile.
The two of you catch your breath for a moment before erupting into laughter. “Where will I stay!” “In my bed, of course.” He answers in a heartbeat. “What about my things?!” There’s no room for any real worry through all the giggles. “I’ll buy you new things.” He whispers, stepping closer. The distance between you closes as he tosses your shoes away and wraps his arms around your waist. You grab his face and kiss him, the feeling making your whole body erupt into flames. “Let’s elope.” You whisper against his lips, matching his crazy. “We can go to city hall. Are you free tomorrow?” You can feel his smile. “Of course. You cant crash a wedding if you have work in the morning.”
So you do. The next day you go to city hall and get married, and you don’t tell anyone. Who is there to tell anyway? It’s you and Luke against the world. And it’s like you never missed a beat, the four years you were apart just fueling late night story telling.
