Second Chance || Luke Hemmings

|| 18 ||

"Hey, Al," a very smiley Calum greets me as he opens up the door for me.

He moves aside, allowing me to enter into Mr. Hemmings home. I find it funny how he never seems to be here. I just assume he's always working, so I never bother to ask.

"Where's Luke?" I ask after peaking around their front room, finding it empty.

"Um, he's in his room. I don't think he was feeling too well this morning," Calum awkwardly scratches the back of his neck, not knowing what to do.

Today was the day Luke and I were supposed to see twenty one pilots together, we've been waiting quite some time for this.

I quickly walk down the hallway to their back rooms, walking into Luke's, which was at the very end of the hallway. I knocked on the door lightly before entering.

My heart slightly fell when I found Luke cuddled up in his blankets, head buried beneath it, and a trash bin lying beside his bed.

"Luke," I quickly say, rushing over to him.

I squat down, my head meeting up to the height of his. I checked the bucket, and luckily it was empty. His head slowly moved, peaking out from beneath the sheets. He looked awful.

Dark circles were around his eyes and he was slightly pale, sweat forming on his forehead.

I place my hand to his forehead, and it was burning. He has to have at least 100° fever.

I brush his hair back, watching as his sleepy eyes meet mine.

"Hi," he mumbles.

"Hey, what happened?" I ask gently, continuing to lightly run my finger through his hair, knowing that he loves that.

"He woke up throwing up this morning," Calum answered, seeing Luke was in no condition to be talking. "I was going to call you earlier, but he wanted to wait it out and see if he would feel better later."

I looked up from Calum and back down at Luke, who already looked almost asleep.

"He's in no condition for tonight," I frowned. He looks so miserable. My poor baby.

"I'm sorry babe," he mumbled, his voice raspy.

"Hey, don't be," I watched as he slowly opened his eyes. They were red, and I knew that he needed to rest.

"You go, take Calum or Michael. Have a good time," he lazily smiled, and I couldn't help but giggle and how much effort he was trying to put in.

I shake my head, "no. I told you we were going to go together, and I'm sticking by it."

"Al, he's in no con-" Calum began before I cut him off. I stood up, the feeling slowly creeping back into my legs again.

"I know, that's why I was going to give you the tickets. Take Michael," I nod, and he looked a little panic, like he didn't know how to respond.

"I can't, they're your presents. You've been looking forward to this for a week now." He shakes his head, refusing to take the offer.

"Either you go, or no one does," I let my stubbornness come into play. I'm sticking by my word. It wouldn't be the same not going with Luke, I feel like I'd enjoy it more with him.

He stared me down for a few seconds before sighing and giving in. "Alright, I'll call Michael."

"Good. They're inside my bag in the front room. Just make sure you bring us back some t shirts," I smile at him, and he nods, understanding.

I turn around to see Luke looking at me, and I can see he's feeling guilty.

"And I'm going to make you some soup. So hold tight, ok?" I nod over at him, before disappearing into the bathroom and grabbing one of the rags sitting on the counter. I ran it under some cold water, and wringing out the excess into the sink. I walk back to see luke still lying in the same position.