Bad Dreams //mgc

77.

*Ashton's POV*

"I have to work," she says, walking away. What the hell? When Michael called me to come talk to her, I didn't realize it was this bad. Something is definitely wrong.

"Mate, something's definitely wrong. The only thing I got from her was that she's being selfish and trying to work through it." I called Michael as soon as I left the mall.

"That's more than I got from her. I don't know what to do."

"Give her time. Everything will be okay mate. I know it's frustrating. I was really shocked at how cold she was with me. Its not like her." It hurt, if I'm being honest. She's never been like this with me.

"Maybe I should go in there. She can't leave and I could force her to talk."

"I don't think that's a good idea. Give her these few hours to herself. Wait til she gets home, then try to talk to her." I hope.

Back home, I grab a beer and plop down on the couch.

"What crawled up your ass and died, mate?" Go away Luke!

"Cara" I answered. I know that it shouldn't bother me, but she has become one of my best friends over the last few months and I hate seeing her upset. I especially hate it now because this is the first time since we actually became friends that she's really been upset with me. "She's shutting us out. Something's bothering her and she won't talk to me OR Michael."

"Oh," he said and went back to his room. He doesn't like getting involved in things that don't concern him so I go back to my beer and try to get tonights events out of my head.

*Luke's POV*

That doesn't sound like Cara to not talk to either Michael or Ashton. She always talks
to one of them at least. My phone buzzes from a text, from Cara, what the hell?

To Lukey
Can u come by picture people? please?

To Cara
Um ok

To Lukey
Tks. Oh. And don't tell Ash or Mikey?

To Cara
On my way

Okay, this is odd. Very odd. I don't think I've ever talked to Cara without at least one of the band with me. We just aren't that close. So why does she want ME to go to her work secretly?

When I get to Picture People, she's sitting at the counter, head buried in her hands, elbows on the counter. She's crying I think. Okay, something is definitely wrong.

"Cara?" I ask tentatively. She lifts her head and looks at me. She's crying. Sure, she's cried in front of me many times, but she hates doing it. She gets off her stool, walks quickly around the counter and wraps her arms around me, still crying. Um okay? I slowly wrap my arms around her and she starts talking into my chest.

"I don't want you to go! I'm going to miss you guys so much, I don't know if I can do this Luke! The last time I had a long distance relationship, he ended up cheating, getting her pregnant and leaving me! I can't lose him! I know I will. Millions of gorgeous girls throwing themselves at you guys. All of them so much prettier than me, and not broken like I am. I can't blame him, you know. But I can't go through this again. And I can't do it without you guys. What's the point of getting it sealed if I'm just going to lose you anyways? I know its selfish. I am excited for you. I really am. This is your dream. But I don't know how to survive without him. Without any of you. You guys and Regan are all I have. I know I'm gonna lose him, and then I'll lose all of you. You guys only tolerate me because of Michael! But I need you guys too! God I hate that I'm so needy and so dependant on you. I'm so sorry Luke, I just, I needed to talk to someone and I can't trust Mikey or Ashton to be upfront about it. They worry about me too much to be brutally honest. I need you to though Luke. You'll do that, right?" Holy shit what did I get myself into? Why me?

"Ummm, sure?" I tell her much more hesitantly that I intended. I'm not sure what exactly I'm agreeing to, but she seems to need this. God this is awkward.

"Thank you Luke. I just don't know what to do!" Not get me in the middle of this? That's a good start.

"There's nothing you can do. This would've happened anyways Cara." Her tears turn into sobs now. Okay, maybe that wasn't the best thing to say. Fuck I don't know what to do! This is why I don't have a girlfriend. I'm awkward and clueless around them! So I just stand here, awkward and silent, listening to her.

"I can do this. I really can. Michael is nothing like TJ. We'll be okay. We have to be." then she pulls away. She wipes the tears from her eyes and smiles at me.

"Thanks Luke." Umm okay I didn't do anything. Literally. Maybe that's the point. She didn't want comforted, she just wanted to vent? I have no clue but she seems like she's okay again. I'll never understand women!

"Um, you're welcome. I didn't really do anything though."

"That's why I'm greatful. For once someone didn't try to fix me. I just, needed to get it out." I smile at her because I don't know what else to do.

"You don't have to stick around if you don't want to. It doesn't bother me." That's all she had to say before I waved and said, "Okay, see you around soon! Bye!" I feel bad, but I darted out of there as quickly as I could without literally running, and head for home.