amnesia (5SOS/C.H)

0.3

"Harper?" Ashton Irwin stares at me like he was seeing a ghost. His bandana is blue today.

"Hi.." I mumbled awkwardly.

"Who is it Ash?" Came a yell and I gave a small gasp as Luke popped in the door way. Of course I had seen the band on magazines everywhere, but he had really grown.

"Harper? What?" Luke toys with his lip ring.

"Can I come in?" I ask, feeling like a deer caught in headlights. Ashton opens the door wider wordlessly.

I step in, it looks the same. New pictures of Luke decorate the walls, there are  cutouts  of him and the band from magazines and newspapers.

I walk into the living room just as Michael is standing up.

"Harper?"

"Michael."

There's silence, I feel awkward here. If I hadn't not been home for four years I probably would've just plopped on one of the love seats, but now I felt out of place, alone, a outcast. I wondered how many memories my family had without me.

"Where's Calum?" I ask, trying to level my voice. Luke threw his hands up in the air.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Luke scowled. "You tell us that you're leaving in the middle of the night four years ago! To be some TV star, you cut off all contact with us. Your family. Your friends. Your home! And you just walk back here?" He raises his voice and storms out of the living room.

I groan and bury my face in my hands.

"I really messed up, didn't I?" I say looking up Ashton and Michael.

"Harper, you see, Calum is, uh well," Ashton struggled for words, "he is-oh, forget it. Calum woke up three days ago, with no memory, and mute. No one knows what happened."

I brought my hand to my mouth. He was mute?

"Oh my god."

Michael sits on the edge of the love seat.

"Your parents are with Calum's mom and dad, uh," he says, "Calum is at the hospital, they're running tests, trying to figure out whats wrong." His hair is dyed bright red.

"Did anything happen?" I ask. "The day before, I mean."

Ashton shrugged. "Not that I know of," he replies, sounding defeated, "he was just gone, poof," he snaps his fingers.

Michael looks at me sympathetically. "Do you want to see your parents?"

I shake my head as I rummage through my bag. "I don't think that would be a good idea, it will just add it the drama,I'll get a room at a hotel or something-"

"You can stay at my place." Ashton cuts in and I look at him surprised.

"Are you sure?"

Ashton nods confirmative.

"Should I say bye to Luke?" I look out to the open door where my little brother had stormed out.

"I would give him some time..." Michael trails off.  I nod and turn to Ashton.

"Do you mind if we go now?" I motion to the front door. "I need to freshen up."

The car ride is filled with unbearable silence. It feels weird to be in the same place as Ashton and not be chattering. I remember he and I used to talk so much our mothers threatened to duct tape our mouthes shut.

Ashton and I had been best friends since primary school, we went through a lot together. Including your classic boy girl relationship struggles.

"Why did you leave?"

"Ashton... I don't know." I reply, fidgeting. "I needed to get away from it all." He doesn't seem satisfied with my answer but he lets it pass.

"Calum was never the same after you left," Ashton comments after a long pause.

Neither was I.