As Close As Strangers

Nineteen

Luke

"You're the one who's talked to her most recently. What do you think we should do?" Calum asked.

"I don't think we should tell her. She has, uh, a lot on her plate right now." I explained.

"Alright, I guess we just won't tell her then." Ashton signed.

We had come to the point where we realized that Ella didn't know. We were discussing it while sitting in Michael's room.

He still hasn't woken up.

Michael

It's amazing how even though I'm unconscious, I can hear everything.
I couldn't speak back, but I could hear them. I was shocked that Luke had came here. Last time we spoke was when I stormed out. I didn't think he wanted anything to do with me for a few days.

I'm still kinda fuzzy on the whole accident thing. I remember swerving off the rode, but I don't remember much after that. I heard someone say that my car flipped a few times.

And somehow, I miraculously survived.

Ella

Why wasn't Luke answering his phone? I really just needed someone to talk to and I knew that someone would be him. I wanted to ask him what to do about Michael.

I had to tell him that I still loved Michael. Maybe I wanted to fix things. I decided to call Liz and see where Luke was.

"Hello?"

"Hi Liz, it's Ella." I said.

"Oh hello Ella! How are you sweety?" She asked.

"I'm pretty good, how are you?" I asked.

"I'm alright. What do you need honey?" She said.

"Um, I was just wondering where Luke was?" I asked.

"Didn't anyone tell you, Ella? Luke is down in the hospital. They boys are there with him." She said.

"Oh. Um okay thank you Liz." I said.

The hospital? What the hell happened to Luke?! Why was Liz so calm? I had to get down there as quick as possible.

--------------------------------

"Hi, I'm looking for Luke Hemmings."

"He should be right down the hall in room 216." The receptionist said without looking up from her computer.

I muttered a quick thank you and rushed down the hall to see Calum and Ashton sitting outside the room.

"Ella?" Calum asked as he stood up.

"Ella, what are you doing here?" Ashton said.

"Luke. Where's Luke?" I shouted.

"He's in there. How did you find out about this?" Calum inquired.

"Luke's mother. Why didn't any of you call me? I should've been told. What happened? Is Luke okay?" I rambled.

"Luke?" Ashton said.

"Yes Luke. Liz said he was in the hospital! What happened?!" I begged.

"Ells, I don't think you understand. Luke isn't hurt." Calum explained.

"Okay. Then why is he here? And why are you two here?" I asked.

They both looked at each other. They seemed like they were trying to communicate without speaking.

"Guys, what happened? Someone has to tell me what's wrong." I said.

"Michael." They said in unison.

"Michael?" I questioned.

Michael. Michael was why they're here. Luke isn't hurt. Michael is.