End Up Here lh au

Chapter 3

Ashton's POV

        Maybe you can afford to wait. Maybe for you there's a tomorrow. Maybe for you there's one thousand tomorrows, or three thousand, or ten, so much time you can bathe in it, roll around it, let it slide like coins through you fingers. So much time you can waste it. But for some of us there's only today. And the truth is, you never really know.

        My eyes flutter open. All I hear is beeps. Machines? What happened? My eyes begin to focus and I look down at my hand realizing there is another hand entertwined with my fingers. I recognize that hand. The long skinny fingers with the black nail polish. I look up to the person sitting next to me. "ASHTON?! A-are you awake?!" As soon as I hear that beautiful voice I know who it is. My beautiful girlfriend, Taylor.

        I smile. "Yes baby, it's me." She looks at me with tears welling up in her eyes, leaning over to kiss me. "Uh, can I ask what happened? Why am I in the hospital?" I ask, still very confused. Not remembering anything besides leaving the house this morning, I look up her, her face twisted in worry.

        "Well. Uh.. Some guy collided with your car and you went unconscious.. I, uhm, Im gonna go get a doctor. I'll be right back." She says, kissing my hand before walking out of the room.

        Beeeep. I click the little flashing button next to me. "Uh.. Hello?" I answer.

        "Is this Mr. Irwin? You're awake?" A nurse asks from some unknown place.

        "Uh yeah. Just woke up. My girlfriend went to go tell someone." What the hell is going on?

        "Oh okay. I'll send a nurse your way. I just wanted to let you know that you have a visitor coming to see you."

        "Oh okay, thanks." I press the button again, trying to figure out who could be coming to see me. Just then, I hear a knock with the door being cracked slightly. "Come in." I say faintly.

        "Hi, uh. You don't know me and I don't know you but I just wanted to apologize for everything. My name is Luke and I am the one who hit you this morning. I am so sorry. I will do anything to make this up to you." The tall, blonde punk boy says.

        I try not to laugh but can't help it. "Look man, its okay. It happens to the best of us. Nice to meet you Luke, Im Ashton." Clearly taken back by my sincerity, Luke stares at me. "I mean, Im just glad to be alive, you know?"

        He nods, still a bit stunned.

Luke's POV

        How is he so nice? How? I don't get it. I mean, after everything I did. I, I almost killed the innocent guy. How is he fine with this? It doesnt make sense.. I turn around to see a girl with wavy brown hair looking between Ashton and I.

        "Oh, uh. Hi. Ash baby, who is your friend?" the girl asks, not seeming too happy to have someone in the room with them.

        "Baby, this is Luke. Luke, this is my girlfriend, Taylor." Ashton answers, attempting to calm his girlfriend down. Failed attempt I see.

        "And uh. How do you know each other..?" The girl says, more upset than before.

        I jump in trying to remove some of the tension between them. "I uhm, I'm the one that was also in the crash this morning. I just stopped by to-"

        "I knew it! I knew you would be someone to look like THAT! A punk. A low-life punk. I mean.." She looks at me from head to toe. "Look at what youre wearing? No wonder you pay no attention to anything around you. Youre a self-absorbed inconsiderate asshole! You hurt my baby, so now I'll hurt you!" She slaps me, her cheeks bright red with anger.

        "Taylor!" Ashton screams. "You better apologize! I let him in here! If you're gonna yell at anyone, yell at me, for God's sakes!"

        She walks over to the side of his bed, putting her hand on his cheek. "Im sorry. I just.. I love him and Im worried.." She says, looking at me.

        "It's fine. I uh, I shouldnt be here anyway.. Im sorry for this morning Ashton and uh, Im sorry to you too Taylor." I say, attempting to dismiss myself from the scene.

        "Wait.. At least give me your number so we can stay in touch and uh. Maybe we can chill sometime after I get out of this damn place." Ashton says, attempting to make things right.

        I look at his girlfriend, for approval. She nods. "Uh, yeah. Sure.." I find a piece of paper, writing it down. Setting it on the wooden table next to the hospital bed, I walk out saying "I hope you feel better Ashton. Again, Im truly sorry." They both flash me a smile as I close the door behind me.

Presleigh-Mae's POV

        I get home, and immediately go to my bedroom. Luke. Such a perfect name for a perfect boy. Damnit, I can't stop thinking about him. Throwing my stuff on the floor and jumping into bed, I scroll through my contacts until I find "Luke" followed by a heart-eyed emoji. The entire way home I tried to decide whether or not I should ring him. Finally, I give in. What's the worst that could happen?

       Ring, ring.  No answer. Figures.. Oh well. I walk over to my backpack and take out my biology folder to get started on my homework. I hear the sound of my phone vibrating against my bedspread and immediately I drop everything and run over to it. His name appears on my screen. I slide to answer. Nervously, I get a "h-hello" out.

        "Hey beautif- I mean, uh. Presleigh. You called?" His accent seeping into my ears, making me smile.

        "Luke, hey. I was just calling to see how you were doing."

        "Well isnt that sweet of you. Im doing great actually. Would you uh. Wanna hang out tonight? Go for some ice cream or something?" I can tell he is nervous when he asks. He adds, "I mean.. Just as friends of course."

        I frown. I was kinda hoping it would be a date. "Yeah sure. That sounds great."

        "Sweet, Ill swing by around six to get you?"

        "See you then!" We say our goodbyes and hang up. I better start getting ready. It might not be a date, but I still have to dress to impress.