i've never felt this

See you tonight x

Luke Hemmings, you are such a brat. Winona grinned with amusement as she shook her head, wondering why she'd even agreed to roped into a welcome home party for one of her closest friends and his band returning home from a successful tour. Looking to Kara, Winona's grin broadened. "I can't wait for you to meet Luke." She told her, Kara being another one of Winona's closest friends. "You're gonna love him."

Luke laughed at Winona's text, shaking his head as he slipped his phone back into his pocket, straightening out his leather jacket. Looking to Michael, Luke patted his best friend (and band mate)'s shoulder. "Winona's definitely coming, at least. How much of a coincidence is it that my childhood best friend is friends with your childhood best friend?" He asked, picking at the food.

Kara looked over to her Winona for a moment, only pulling her attention away from the screen for that moment before she returned her attention to the game she was playing with Michael, amused. "You keep saying that, but I won't believe it just yet," she teased Winona, "Meanwhile! I'm 100% certain you'll love Mikey. He's a total dork." She grinned before focusing on talking to Mikey. "I'll be right back, Mikey! Gotta change." Tugging her headset off, she backed away from the screen to go change. When she was done and had returned, though, she'd gotten back just in time to see Michael kill her in the game. "MIKEY, YOU ASSHOLE!" Quickly, she tugged on the headset. "Fuck you, Clifford! I'll get you back for that!" Huffing, she looked to Winona, then. "I take it back, Winona! You'll hate him! He's a dick, don't fall for his nice act!"

Michael laughed as he listened to Kara yelling at him, grinning broadly at the scream. "You were gone too long, what did you expect?" he shot back in return, grinning with her reaction before he shook his head and peered up at Luke, tugging the headset off one ear just in time to listen to his friend talk. "I'm assuming Kara's still coming. She just bailed on me to get ready, but now she's pissed 'cause I killed her." He laughed a bit, leaning back in his seat as he set his controller down to focus on his conversation with Luke. "Maybe she'll forget all about it when I introduce her to you." He doubted it. Kara was probably going to make sure to kill him on every game they played for a week now. "I don't know, maybe it's not the strangest thing? They went to the same school, away from us. And how many people could have been at that school back then, anyways?" He grinned. "Least we know our best friends get along."

Winona laughed at Kara's frustration, shaking her head. "Alright, if you say so." She teased Kara, tying her hair up effortlessly. "I doubt he's an asshole though." She teased, grabbing her jacket as she grabbed her boots to slip them on, watching the screen in amusement. Grabbing the remote quickly, Winona helped Kara dodge a move that Michael's character made, grinning to herself. "Yup, he's definitely not an asshole." She teased Kara. "Are you coming, or not? I wanna see Luke before everyone gets there." She smiled, zipping up her boots.

Luke grinned. "I'm glad they get along. When Winona's angry, she's scary." Luke shook his head at the thought. He'd only ever seen Winona angry a few times, and Luke's sympathy was always towards who was at the recieving end of his best friends' wrath. Still, Luke watched the screen with amusement. "I'm excited to meet Kara, you've told me so much about her, I feel like I already know her." He teased. Although Luke loved touring, he definitely was glad to be home, and he was looking forward to the downtime.

"He's a total asshole," Kara said firmly and with purpose, speaking fully into the mic so he could hear before she nodded. "Alright, we're off, Mikey. And I'm shutting this thing down before you can kill me again." She didn't wait for a response before she shut the system down and stood up, grinning at Winona before she nodded. "Let's go." Standing, she led the way to the door.

Michael blinked when Kara said they were leaving. "Alright, safe travels," he said, but saw that she'd gone offline before he snorted and shut his own game system off. "That girl rushes with so much that she does." He laughed but grinned to his friend. "You think so? I'm excited about meeting Winona. You've hyped her up so much, I feel like you've probably told me everything there is to know about her." He grinned. "I can't wait to meet her in person at this point, see if she lives up to everything you've said about her. But, with everything you've said, I honestly think she'd probably exceed expectations."

Winona grinned, grabbing her car keys. "You two are hilarious. I can't wait to meet this Michael Clifford." She teased, opening the passenger door for Kara before climbing into the drivers seat, knowing the way to Luke's house like the back of her hand. As Kara buckled her belt, Winona reversed the car out of the driveway. "Luke's place actually isn't far from here." She told Kara.

Luke laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if Winona dragged her out." He told Michael. "That girl can't sit still for more than a minute." He shook his head in amusement. "Ah man, Mikey, Winona's amazing. She's a complete idiot, I adore her." And he smiled, meaning it. Winona had been there to support Luke with all of his adventures in music, and he was grateful. "Alright, I'm gonna get the drinks ready. Any requests?"

"Forget everything good I've ever said about him," Kara complained with a pout as she buckled up and sat back in her seat. "He's a dick." She nodded, though, with the mention of it. "Alright. Least that's a good thing. Means if we get drunk, we can walk home." She grinned jokingly at her friend. "But, to be honest, Mikey can be a sweetheart. But he also knows which buttons to push." She laughed.

Michael grinned as he listened to Luke prattle on and he waved. "C'mon, keep hyping her up. Otherwise, I'll start thinking all of this hype is for nothing," he joked lightly, though he nodded. "I'm looking forward to finally meeting her, though, with everything you've said about her." Hearing his friend's words, he shook his head slightly but grinned. "Just surprise me. I'm not in the mood for anything specific."

Winona laughed. "Sounds like Luke." She confirmed with a fond grin. "No wonder they're friends, they sound like they have the same personality." She teased, turning to Luke's street and parking up outside a beautiful house. "Alright, you ready?" She asked, turning to Kara. "I gotta admit, I'm kinda nervous."

Luke laughed. "Like you haven't hyped Kara up!" He teased as he disappeared to the kitchen. "Honestly Michael, you two are peas in a pod, and I haven't even met her yet. Who else would play those games with you, you big dork?" He called from the kitchen, loving to wind up Michael and get a reaction, no matter how big or small, out of him.

"Oh, man, that's no good. One Michael is enough," Kara said with a laugh as she shook her head. "But, at the same time, my life wouldn't be what it is without him being in it, so I guess I can't complain too much about a second one." Shifting, she looked to the house, debating, but nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be." Unbuckling, she climbed out of the car.

"Plenty of people play the games!" Michael reminded with a laugh, rolling his eyes. "And video games have always been our thing. I'm sure you and Winona have your own thing that you do!" Tugging off his headset, he set it down before stretching his arms above him, relaxing for a bit while he waited for Luke to come back with the drinks, the girls to get there, or for the party to get started, whichever came first.

Winona smiled fondly with Kara's words. "That's adorable." She said honestly, leading the way up the garden path, turning briefly to lock her car. Walking straight in, unannounced, Winona grinned as she saw Luke in the kitchen, tip toeing to him and covering his eyes from behind, having to reach on her tip toes to do so. "I'm gonna give you three guesses."

Luke pretended to be in thought for a moment. "My annoying, pain in the ass best friend?" He asked with a hum, removing Winona's hands and turning swiftly to pick her up and spin her around, laughing the whole time. "Hi!" He grinned. "Where's Kara? I'm dying to meet her, Michael hasn't shut up about her." He teased, although he wasn't going to deny that he was excited to meet the girl, having heard incredible things about her.

Kara followed Winona into the house, though she paused at the entrance, unsure about heading further in since it was Luke's home and she hadn't met him yet. "Mikey?" she called out.

Michael grinned when he heard Kara's voice and he stood up, heading to the entrance to meet her. "Hey! There you are!" he greeted, though he jokingly winced when she playfully hit him. "Ow! Hey! What was that for?" He pouted.

"For killing me, you dick!" Kara laughed, though she hugged her friend tightly.

Michael laughed but returned her hug. "It's good to see you," he told her before he wrapped his arms around her and tugged her to his side. "Come on, let's go find Luke. I can't wait for you to meet him."

"Hm, I've heard that a lot today," Kara joked lightly, "Though I'm half certain that you're actually just super eager to meet Winona." She grinned, nudging him teasingly.

"Ooh, as cruel as ever!" Michael accused, "Always so quick to rat me out." Grinning, though, he led the way to the kitchen, pulling her along.

Winona caught sight of Kara, grinning and nudging Luke for him to pay attention, folding her arms across her chest. "Sorry for ditching you." She apologised to Kara with a laugh, although she paused slightly as she finally caught sight of Michael, feeling her heart skip a beat in her chest.

Luke noticed Winona's sudden silence and smirked, but refrained saying anything for the moment. "Are you going to introduce us, or?"

Winona shot a glare at Luke. "I was getting to it, asshole. Kara, this is Luke Hemmings, all around egotistical maniac and a vulture I haven't been able to shake off since the age of six." She pushed Luke forward with a grin.

Luke took the moment to truly study Kara, and he found himself nervous, but offered Kara a smile. "Hi there." He cleared his throat, outstretching his hand. "As that pain said, I'm Luke, I promise I'm not as bad as she makes me out to be. It's nice to finally meet you, I've heard wonderful things."

Winona smirked as she noticed Luke's body language change, and his soft spoken speech to Kara was enough to tell her that Luke was already intrigued. "Pick your jaw up, Luke."

Kara smiled and shook her head. "It's fine, really," she promised Winona, though she grinned with amusement. Her gaze went to Luke, though, and she paused when she fully saw him, caught off guard because he was definitely a lot more attractive than she'd thought he would be. Feeling Michael nudge her, she glared at him, ignoring his teasing grin, and looked back to Luke. "I'm Kara. It's nice to meet you, too, Luke, neither of these two shut up about you." She grinned jokingly before looking to Winona. "Speaking of, Winona, this is the asshole that is Michael Clifford. Michael Clifford, this is Winona Ingrid."

"You could have introduced me without the 'asshole' bit," Michael joked lightly, though his gaze went to Winona, then, and he swore his breath got caught in his throat. For a long moment, he found himself just staring at her, taking her in, almost not believing somebody as gorgeous as her could actually exist. Clearing his throat, though, he grinned. "Ignore her. We all know she's still upset about getting killed in the game." His eyes never left Winona and he found himself really just taking her in, mentally acknowledging how amazing she already seemed to him. "Its really amazing to meet you, Winona. Luke's been hyping you up like crazy."

Kara watched Michael for a moment, amused. She knew Michael almost as well as she knew herself and she could see how easily Winona had captured her best friend's attention. Clearing her throat in a completely non-discreet manner, she nudged Michael. "Careful there, Mikey, you're drooling," she hummed out with a smirk, "Should I get you a napkin?"

Michael, still not taking his gaze from Winona, shoved Kara carefully away, grinning at Winona. "Like I said, ignore her," he told her carefully, not really wanting Kara to scare Winona away from him.

Luke chuckled with Kara's words, still taking her in, his attention captured so easily by the beauty in front of him. Luke swore to himself quietly that he'd never seen such perfection. "Honestly, these two haven't shut up about you, either." He told her softly, although he stuck his tongue out at Winona as he heard her comment about his jaw dropping - although he was sure he did look a little awestruck, completely captivated by Kara. Although when she spoke of Michael, Luke laughed. "Finally, I've got someone to help me bully Michael." He teased, aiming his grin at Michael then. "I can see us getting along just fine." Although he hoped, even if he was jumping too far ahead, that something more than just friendship would come for them.

Winona smiled at Michael, studying him for a long moment. "It's lovely to meet you, Michael." She smiled. "I've already heard so much, it's nice to put a face to the name." She bit her lip.

Luke smirked. "Winnie, you're staring." He teased his best friend, unable to help himself.

Winona looked to Luke with a frown. "You're a good one to talk, your jaw just hit China." Turning her attention to Michael and Kara (although more so to Michael), Winona offered another smile. "Ignore him, too. He's been an embarrassment since forever."

Kara grinned with amusement as she watched Luke for a moment, arching a brow. “Well, I can't deny that I'm always up for bullying Michael,” she told him, trying not to stare at him too long or too much, aware she'd never hear the end of it from Mikey.

Michael made a face with the mention of it as he peered at Kara and Luke. “I don't care what you two get up to in your free time, but leave me out of it,” he complained with a pout before his gaze went back to Winona and he grinned broadly, taking her in, amazed by her. “It's lovely to meet you as well, Winona,” he told her honestly.

“Did you really just say 'lovely,’ Mikey?” Kara asked in a hum, “You never say lovely.” She smirked, nudging him again.

“Oi,” Michael complained, placing a hand against Kara's shoulder to hold her away from him but he grinned at Winona still. “Ignore Kara as well. She loves giving me a hard time.”

Luke laughed with Kara's words, biting his lip as he studied her, taking in everything that made her so perfect to him. "Cool, you and I can be the dream team." He offered Kara a smile, and he was wondering if she thought that he was coming on too strong, or too fast. Luke wanted to leave a lasting first impression, but he also wanted it to be a positive first impression, never wanting Kara to think bad of him. "Do you fancy a drink, by chance?" He offered Kara, not even bothering to ask Michael.

Winona snorted with laughter, looking to Luke. "Your flirting skills have gone down hill, Luk -" Winona rolled her eyes as Luke swiftly put a hand over her mouth, causing her to slap his hand away. "Jerk off."

Luke stuck his tongue out at Winona, looking to Kara, afraid that if he admitted outright that he was flirting, she would think he was strange. "Just ignore her, she loves to see me fail in life."

Winona laughed at Kara and Michael's interaction, shaking her head. "Oh, she gave me a hard time in school too, don't even worry about it. And seeing as Luke is too rude to even offer you a drink, Michael, would you like one?" She smiled, taking in the sight of the other boy, completely amazed by how gorgeous he was, a factor which Kara had failed to mention to Winona.

Kara grinned with amusement, arching a brow as she eyed Luke. “Dream team, huh?” she asked, “I kind of like the sound of that.” She tried not to read too much into it, but she could definitely feel a draw to Luke that she didn’t want to really admit was there, aware she’d never hear the end of it from Mikey. “I would love a drink, thank you.” Hearing them talk more, though, she laughed, unable to help but to find the pair amusing together.

Michael shook his head, watching them. “You know, if you two want, we could always disappear discreetly, give you some time alone…” he offered up, grinning jokingly, though he winced when he felt Kara jab him with her elbow. “What?”

“You know what,” Kara hissed out with a small pout, though she glared at him for a moment.

Michael laughed, turning his attention away from Kara to grin at Winona, taking her in for a few long moments, amazed by how truly gorgeous she was, wondering how it was even humanly possible. “That sounds like her,” he joked, shaking his head slightly, “But, as for that drink, I would quite like it. Promise not to poison me?” He grinned. “Not that I could really imagine somebody like you poisoning anybody, anyways, of course.”

“Oh, God, please stop,” Kara said, making a slight face. “You could at least tell her exactly what you mean by ‘somebody like you.’”

“Oi, shut up, Kara,” Michael said casually, lifting his hand to push her face back, his attention still focused fully on Winona as he grinned, taking her in still.

Luke grinned. "Hey, I think you and I would make the best team out there." He threw a wink at Kara, unsure if she was reading his signs, even more, Luke wondered if Kara felt the same curious spark between them, wondering if she felt the same pull he did. Luke offered Kara a smile, offering her his arm, for her to link her arm through his. "This way, ma'am." He grinned when Kara confirmed she'd like a drink, just wanting an excuse to touch her, make any form of contact with her beyond words.

Winona looked at Luke with raised eyebrows, completely amused by her best friend's 'charm'. "Wow, such a gentleman." She snorted quietly, laughing as Luke nudged her out of the way with his extended arm, getting the hint. Still, when Winona heard Michael speaking to her, she paid full attention, finding that could never give Michael anything but her full attention. "I absolutely promise not to poison you." She smiled. "We all know the only person I'd poison is Luke." She winked.

Luke glared at Winona with that. "Kiss ass." He commented, smirking all the while.

Kara could feel her heart swell with Luke's words, though she tried to ignore the surge of hope that filled her. “I think you're absolutely right,” she chimed happily, sliding her arm through his with a small grin, trying not to watch him too long but she nodded slightly. “Alright.”

Michael laughed quietly with the mention of it, shaking his head slightly, completely amazed by Winona and her humor. She was perfect, he absolutely believed that. “Well, if you're gonna poison Luke, I want in,” he said happily, smirking jokingly, “Partners in crime and all that.”

Luke smiled as Kara slid her arm through his own, her touch making Luke feel dizzy in the best way. Still, Luke led her to the various drinks that were waiting, smiling over at Kara and just how beautiful she was, how she was the literal embodiment of perfection. "What can I get you, miss?" He smiled, watching her carefully, biting his lip.

"Michael!" Winona gasped with a laugh. "Are you asking me to be your partner in crime?" She placed a hand over her heart, turning to look at him with a smile, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing too much and ruining the joke. "I will!" She laughed, finally letting herself laugh. "Luke's first on the list to go, we can work our way through it." She winked.