Troubled Souls // 5SOS

XXI ∞ Intervention

• Luke •

I have gradually gone from laying in my bed staring at the wall to sitting up against my pillow and staring at my computer in the course of the past three weeks. It took all the energy and motivation I had but hey, here I am, scrolling aimlessly through every single social media website I have an account on.

For the first time in quite awhile, there's a knocking at my bedroom door. "What?" I call, not bothering to glance up from my computer.

"Luke," my mother's voice replies, "there's a few people here to see you."

People? Who the hell would be here to see me?

"H-Hold on a sec, I'm not wearing pants," I reply, with more interest this time. The idea of seeing other humans has made me just curious enough to get me out of bed.

I grab a pair of black skinny jeans from off of my floor and pull them on over my boxers. I'm wearing a plain black tank top without bracelets, so my scars are on display for all to see, but it's hardly worth trying to keep them a secret anymore. I run my fingers through my hair once before opening my bedroom door.

The therapy pack is back. I don't really know who else I expected.

Standing right before me as leader of the group is none other than Beth, her blonde hair hanging down on her shoulders in wavy curls. It's almost impossible to avoid the stare from her big hazel eyes. Directly behind her is Michael, with Calum to his right, leaning on his crutches, and Jade and Ashton to his left. My mum is standing beside the group, looking vaguely confused by the whole situation.

"Luke, do you know these — " she begins, but I cut her off.

"Yes, mum, they're from therapy," I answer. She nods slowly, still visibly confused, before heading down the hallway and back upstairs.

I turn my attention back to the group in front of me, finally meeting Beth's intense gaze. "What are you doing here?" I ask, addressing the whole group.

She ignores my question, replying instead with, "Can we come in?"

I sigh to myself and answer, "Do whatever helps you sleep at night, Beth."

I turn on my heel and head back over to my bed, hearing their footsteps following close behind. I sit down on the edge of the bed, but everyone else stays standing, all looking a bit awkward and unsure aside from Beth.

"I'll ask again, since I didn't get an answer the first time," I say, getting everyone's attention. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Can't you guess?" Jade speaks up.

"I probably could, but I'd rather just hear someone say it."

"Luke, we want you to come back," Beth finally admits. "It doesn't feel right to keep going without you."

"Why? Because I'm the most fucked up of the whole lot?" I spit back. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'm not going back there and nothing you guys say is going to convince me to."

"Luke, we're n-not trying to make you feel like you're a f-fuck-up," Michael cuts in. "W-We're just trying to help you b-because we care."

"And I'm trying to tell you that I don't need your help," I snap in reply.

To my surprise, Michael doesn't flinch or cower at my sharp remark. "S-So what the hell are you planning on doing if we don't t-try to help?" he replies, keeping his voice level. "Are you just going to s-sit in a dark room alone for the rest of your life?"