Stuck {a.i. & l.h. fanfic}

Chapter 4

When we finally got back to my place, Luke followed me quietly up the stairs to my room. Even though my parents were long asleep, I didn't want them to wake up and see that I snuck my boyfriend into the house late at night. That might raise some questions that I do not want to answer.

"Are your parents asleep?" Luke whispers in the dark, obviously afraid of the same thing I am. I nod and then immediately feel stupid considering its pitch black and Luke wouldn't see me nodding.

"Yep." I say back. I hear Luke trip up the stairs beside me and he grabs my arm for support. That lanky fucking breadstick. He almost just took both of us down with him. "Luke! You're going to wake them up!" I whisper loudly.

"Sorry but I can't see anything! Are we almost to your room?" He whisper-shouts back. "And it doesn't help that I'm klutzy enough with the lights on." God damn it.

I drag him up the rest of stairs and pull him into my room, silently shutting the door right after. I let out a quick sigh of relief once I realize we hadn't woken my parents up. One disaster avoided. Now to deal with the next one.

He sluggishly walks over to my bed and lays down, pulling a pillow over his face. Luke keeps telling me that he doesn't regret hitting Ashton but I know him, and he feels guilty. That ash-hole that he punched tonight is his best friend. And I couldn't help but feel guilty for being the reason he had done so. I didn't ask him to do it but I didn't exactly soothe the situation either. Emotions were running high tonight.

I lay down right next to him and rest my head against his chest. He wraps his arms around me, bringing me closer to him. Cuddling Luke is my favorite thing to do in this entire world.

"I'm sorry Luke. I never should have pushed you to do that." I apologize quietly. I can feel him take a deep breath in before speaking.

"Shay, for the last time, he deserved it. He should have never taken that picture of you." He tries to fight me but I could hear in his voice that he wasn't really up for a petty argument. Especially when he knew I was right.

"Luke, you don't have to keep saying that, I know you feel guilty. You're not a violent type of guy. And he's your best friend. And I know that. I'm sorry I made you feel like violence was what had to be used. That wasn't what I wanted." He doesn't answer me for a while and I almost assume he had fallen asleep.

"I love you," he whispers quietly into the darkness.

"And I love you," I say, glad to hopefully be dropping the subject.

"Its just that Ashton's been having a hard time lately. I think the last thing he needs is for me to be pissed at him. I'm probably the only person who cares about him."

And here we go again with the Ashton talk. It seems like he always haves a "hard time lately". I'm sure that's what happens when you have like all the STIs that ever existed and no filter between your brain and your mouth.

"I'm sure you're not the only who cares about him." I say hesitantly, not quite believing myself. But I knew it was possible. Ashton hates everyone and everything.

"Do you know Ashton? He pushes every single person away with insults and violence. I'm the only one he trusts enough to keep around, I guess." He shrugs. No one really knows anything about Ashton. But from what Luke was saying, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a past that he doesn't care to share with anyone. I'd bet he's been in jail a few times, honestly. He keeps to himself and like Luke said, pushes every one else away. The only thing I know is that he moved here about 2 years ago.

"What about his family?" I ask suddenly curious. I've never heard anything about his family.

"He doesn't have one." Luke starts. "I don't know if I should be telling you this."

"Who am I going to tell, Luke? And who knows, maybe it'll help me understand why he is the way he is." I beg. By his silence however, I could tell he wasn't set on telling me. "You can trust me. You can tell me anything."

Luke lets out a loud sigh before giving in to my pleas. "When he was 13 years old, he was in a car accident with his mom, dad, and baby sister. Only him and his mom made it. And from what I gather from the very few things he's told me, his mom blames everything on him. She became co-dependent on drugs and booze, essentially neglecting and forgetting about Ash. So when he had saved enough money, he moved out and cut all ties with her. Hasn't seen her since two years ago when he left."

"Oh my god. That's terrible." Poor Ashton. I guess he does have a reason to be the way he is. As much as I hate the guy, no one deserves a childhood like that.

"I don't know, he's pretty private about the whole thing. I suppose he doesn't want people to feel bad for him. And I guess there's a reason why. I mean who would want to openly talk about something like that?" Luke continues, eventually drifting off into his own thoughts.

"Then how did he end up here? Well, at your house?"

"He only told me that he was staying a motel for a while but eventually spent all he saved up so he started drifting around friends' houses, occasionally finding girls and seducing them into letting him stay a few nights. Like I said, he was really vague. I don't think he likes talking about it. Which why we became best friends. I never asked questions. I just accepted him and his closed-offness. Not many people would do that. But I mean, he would do anything for me. No questions asked. And I want to do the same for him."

"What about Michael and Calum?" I ask, they're all in a band together, they probably know about Ashton's past.

"We're all friends and stuff but they don't know anything. So don't say anything to them either, ok?"

"I can't believe he's been through all of this and no one knows. I feel terrible. I've been treating him like shit." He's been treating me like shit as well but I decide not to bring that up.

"Stop! If you act any different around him, he'll know I told you." He yells a little too loud, sitting up in bed.

"Luke! Be quiet!"

"Sorry! I won't do it again, just promise you'll act the same around him. Don't pity him. If he already hates you then showing him pity will just make it a thousand times worse. So just act natural or normal. I don't know. Don't act differently."

"Ok, I promise." I agree, not continuing the conversation.

I stayed silent because I didn't know what to say anymore. I finally had somewhat of an explanation to why Ashton was a dick. It sorta made sense.

"But that doesn't give him an excuse-" Luke begins to say again, seemingly sensing my thoughts.

"Luke, its fine, okay? Maybe you should go back and talk to him." I tell him.

"You want me to leave?" He looks at me with puppy eyes. Thank god it was dark or I'd already be melting under his stare.

"No, but-"

"Then I'm not leaving. I love you, Shay. And I'm staying here with you. Ashton can wait until tomorrow, for once."

"Are you sure?" I ask him. I didn't want him to feel even more guilt about this entire situation. I've caused enough issues as it is.

"Yes." He says as he kisses my forehead. "I want to spend the night with you."

And we both drift to sleep, dreams of a bandana wearing demon pushing their way into my head.