//SMOKE//

0.5

Being in a mental institution takes a lot out of you. You don't get the same amount of exercise as you would outside of the building. Sure, they have a gym but in order to work out, you have to schedule a time for a nurse to spot you and make sure you don't intentionally try to choke yourself out on the bench press.

Luke woke up feeling tight in all his muscles, not wanting to move an inch out of bed. A nurse knocked on the door and came in to get Michael a few minutes ago, waking up Luke in the process. He knew breakfast was being served soon, but he just didn't have the energy.

After a few more minutes of trying to gain more consciousness, Luke heard some one knock at the door. Scared a nurse might scold him for sleeping in, he sat up straight as fast as he could and jumped out of bed, attempting to look as if he had been wide awake for a while. The door opened to reveal Calum, already dressed in black skinny jeans and a band tee.

"Mornin'," he breathed, rubbing the gunk from the corners of his eyes.

Luke let out a breath of relief and turned around to find some clothes in the dresser by his bed. He chose a similar outfit to Calum's, but he's sure the older boy wouldn't care.

"Its visiting day today. My sister Mali is coming. She's the only one that ever bothers to see me, actually," Calum frowned, leaning on the door frame. Why wouldn't his parents come see him?  That's just wrong.

"And I checked the schedule last night and you have an appointment with Dr. Price at two," he added.

Great.

Therapy was the last thing Luke wanted right now. He wasn't one for expressing his feelings; He hid them and bottled them up until they break and Luke hates that. He hates feeling weak and helpless. He wants to be strong. 

The boy sighed then took off his shirt, seeing Calum look away awkwardly out of the corner of his eye. Luke quickly put on a clean one and looked to the older boy and saw he had turned his back, giving Luke some privacy. He stripped of his sweats then maneuvered his dainty legs into the almost too-skinny skinny jeans.

Luke tapped on Calum's shoulder and the other boy moved out of the doorway so Luke could exit his room.

What a gentleman.

The walk to breakfast wasn't a long one, but considering staff like to get the kids up an hour before, they had enough time to wander the halls.

Being with Calum felt natural. Luke couldn't find words to describe it, but he just felt safe. Like nothing he could possibly say would drive the older boy away. In a matter of a few days, Calum has become one of Luke's best friends.

Now that he thinks about it, Luke wonders if he even has any friends now besides Calum. All of his friends back home probably think he's a nutcase. After the incident, they would all stare at Luke like he was some lab rat with a new virus no one's ever heard of. He hated it.

But now, it's like everyone else around him are also lab rats. Maybe with different reasons, but they're all all still there.

Realizing neither boy has said a word since leaving his room, Luke clears his throat.

"So," Luke started, "You said your sister's coming to visit you?"

Calum nodded. "Yeah, Mali. She comes every visiting day. I don't think shes missed a day since I came here actually," he chuckled. "I feel like my parents try to stop her from seeing me sometimes. When a few of my doctors suggested this place, they gladly sent me off to pack my bags." The older boy walked with his head hanging low, seeming incredibly interested in the ugly white nurses shoes every patient was required to wear.

Luke frowned, "Why did they want you to leave so badly?"

Calum looked up and met his eyes with Luke's, and oh-so casually sighed out, "I'm gay."

Luke kept walking, speechless. He thought maybe he was gay, considering all the flirting and smirking and staring at each other when the other isn't looking.

But now that he knew for certain, he wasn't sure what to say. 'I knew it'?

When Luke was about to spew some speech about acceptance, Calum beat him to talking.

"And when they found out, they sent me to camps and counselors, different churches and pastors, and nothing 'cured' me. And the funny thing? They aren't even religious. They just hate gays for no logical reason." The boy scoffed, obviously becoming irritable thinking about his parents.

Luke noticed they were finally coming towards the gathering area. The two boys stopped and turned to each other at the entrance. Calum let out a breath, "But enough about that. You wanna sit with Ash and I again?"

Luke smiled and nodded politely, following him towards the line for food.

The institution surprisingly had decent food. Today, it was pancakes with an assortment of fruit on the side. Every one also got a glass of orange juice with their meal. Calum was practically moaning when he took the first bite of his food. People around them kept giving their table strange looks, making Luke and Ashton blush in embarrassment.

Ashton talked to Luke occasionally, only giving him one word answers. And if he wants to ask something, he would simply whisper to Calum and the boy would speak for him.

Luke kept thinking of how great a friend Calum was. He was sure if he had met him outside the institution, he would think he was a douche by his looks. He has an expressionless face, making it seem he was quite heartless. But in actuality, he was really just a small teddy bear that helps his best friend talk to strangers.

Luke looked around the room, glancing at different tables and who sat there. He then spotted Michael in the very back corner, all by himself, reading a book as per usual.

Although he wouldn't admit it, he was sad that the boy didn't talk to him after Luke spilled out his day to him last night. But he also knew he wouldn't miraculously become best friends with Luke after one conversation if you can even call it that.

Luke became restless, playing with his bowl of fruit out of boredom. Calum nudged his side with his elbow and leaned into his ear. "After your session, don't forget to come upstairs."

At some point during his sentence, Calum's bottom lip brushed up against Luke's earlobe, making the younger boy's breath go heavy,a shiver running through his body. He blushed deeply and Calum seemed to notice, and smugly got out of his seat, throwing away his tray, exiting the gathering area.

Luke looked down at his food and smiled, the redness on his cheeks only growing. He looked up to see Ashton smirking at Luke with raised eyebrows.

"Shut up," Luke tried to say intimidatingly, but the smile on his face hadn't disappeared, making it hard to act serious. Ashton let out a breathy chuckle and left the room as well.

Luke looked around, seeing an old woman with heavy bags under eyes coming up to him. She wreaked of stale coffee and cheap perfume. "You Hemmings?" She asked.

Luke simply nodded and the girl motioned for him to get up.

"You're going to be late for therapy. Get a move on." She said carelessly, seeming to be done with the day already even though it was only 8 in the morning.

"I-I don't know where to go?" He stuttered, the woman making him uncomfortable.

She sighed and directed him to the  floor, where therapy and visiting day's were held.

Luke let out a breath, grabbing his tray and throwing it out on his way towards the staircase.