1983 c.h. (au)

26: ashton

Charlie woke up hours later in the ICU. Calum was asleep in the chair across the room from her and Ashton looked out the window. Luke and Michael were nowhere to be found. "Ash." Charlie cleared her throat. It was dry and she found it hard to speak. "Am I okay?" She watched him walk towards her.

"I dunno Char. The doctors ran tests as to why you passed out from an anxiety attack." Ashton started crying. Charlie reached out for his hand comforting him. "I didn't mean to make you pass out. I didn't know what happened. And I still don't know. Calum wouldn't tell me."

Charlie felt like it was all her fault. She didn't mean to pass out the way she did. Now she was in the hospital for whatever reason. She was just so traumatized by Luke and what he did. Anything that brought back memories of what happens and just the idea of being around him triggered something within her. Ashton squeezed her hand softly. "You in there Charlie?"

"Yeah I'm here." She nodded and smiled weakly. Ashton's eyes glistened with tears and he wiped his face clean. "Can I go home?" Charlie started to sit up but Ashton plced a hand on her bony shoulder, gently pushing her back down. He shook his head no and frowned. "Why?"

"The doctors want to run tests to make sure if you're okay. Because you've suffered a lot of concussions, they just need a reason why the little incident happened."

"I can tell you why it happened. Luke." Charlie grimaced and cringed saying his name. It was total blasphemy to speak of him. "I was thrown into panic mode. It's not your fault." Charlie squeezed his hand not wanting her friend to feel bad.

"But it is. If I wasn't a dumbass and didn't even bring up Lu- You shouldn't be here because of me." Ashton turned away from Charlie and walked across the room towards the window and back to her.

"I'd rather be in here because you made an accident than be in here because someone hurt me on purpose." She smiled weakly. But Ashton just shook his head.

"I'm really sorry Charlie. I can't stay here." He started walking towards the open door.

"Ashton." Charlie called after him. He turned around slowly. "Don't feel too upset okay? Whatever happened was because of Luke." Her voice cracked at the mention of him. "Not you. Okay?"

He couldn't even muster a smile. He as hiding something from her. Something huge. "Goodbye Charlie." He said to her before leaving.

(swim with me i think i can see the beach.xxx.)