As Close As Strangers

Eighteen

Luke

"I don't know guys. He just really has to leave her alone." I sighed.

"I agree. She clearly doesn't want anything to do with him. He needs to realize that." Calum said.

"I just wish everything was back to normal with them. She made him so happy. He isn't happy anymore, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. We have to be here for him too guys." Ashton said.

"Ah, Ashton. Always the voice of reason." Calum laughed.

I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket and held a hand up to silence the guys.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Luke, is that you?"

"Mrs.Clifford?" I said.

"Yes. Luke, there's been an accident." She said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Michael. He's been in an awful accident. You and the boys have to get down to the hospital." She cried.

"Oh my gosh, okay. We'll be right there." I said.

"Hey, what was that about?" Calum asked.

"That was Mrs.Clifford. Michael's been in an accident." I said barely audibly.

It was almost as if saying it out loud would make it real. Michael was in an accident. That was all I knew. Ashton grabbed his keys and we were on our way down to the hospital.

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"Mrs.Clifford!" I yelled.

"Luke, Calum, Ashton!"

"What's going on? What happened?" Calum asked.

"Is he okay?" Ashton asked.

"He hit his head. Oh my gosh, there was just so much blood." She cried.

That's all she told us before grabbing me and pulling me into a hug.

"He'll be okay. He's always okay." I said.

I wasn't sure who I was trying to reassure at this point.

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"Yes, I'm sure Mrs.Clifford." I said.

"Thank you so much Luke, honey." She smiled.

I convinced her to go home and get some rest. She needed it. I promised I would let her know what was going on with Michael. I stayed. Calum and Ashton were down in the cafeteria when the nurse allowed me to go in his room.

He wasn't awake yet. According to the nurse, he received fifteen stitches above his left eyebrow. As far as we know, he was driving and wasn't paying attention. He swerved to avoid another car and went off rode. His head hit the windshield.

He was banged up pretty bad and it was my fault. I should've told him what Ella told me. No, scratch that. I shouldn't have let him storm out like that. I shouldn't have let him drive angry.

"I should've done something." I whispered.