Waste the night || Lashton

Chapter 13

Luke's POV
I woke up in the early hours of the morning in Ashton's bed. After our reunion at the park, we came back to his and Michaels place and he explained to me the treatment he was going to have to go through. He told me how the doctor had said that with pancreatic cancer only notice the signs and symptoms too late, when it has become serious. Apparently Ashton had the cancer for months but nobody would have known because he showed no signs till only a couple weeks back.

I was sure he had told me this to try and make me feel better about it, but in reality it only made me feel worse. I felt that I should have realised something was wrong, especially when he was sick that morning and had pain in his stomach, yet I dismissed it.

I was surprised I had managed to get to sleep, but I was even more surprised when I realised Ashton wasn't lying in the bed next to me. I quickly got up and tip-toed through the apartment until I saw light pouring out from underneath the bathroom door. I gave a gentle knock on the door before slowly creaking it open.

Ashton was sitting on the bathroom floor, leaning against the toilet, vomiting. He had sweat on his forehead and he clutched his stomach, looking completely drained of all energy. He looked up at me, tears cascading down his cheeks.

"It hurts so much Luke!" He cried out in pain as I rushed over to his side.

"Shh, it's okay, I'm here." I comforted him, letting him lean back against me so his head was on my chest, as I left kisses on his head.

"Maybe we should go to the hospita-"

"No!" Ashton interrupted, looking at me desperately.

"Ashton you can't let yourself suffer like this!" I told him.

"Please Luke, don't make me go! I want to stay in my apartment as long as I can, I hate hospitals, they scare me." He said beginning to get worked up again.

"Okay" I sighed, giving in.

His heavy breathing began to regulate as I ran my fingers through his hair. His eye lids were began to drift closed so I helped him up to his feet and guided him through to his bed room. He lay down on his bed, exhausted, and in minutes he was asleep. He looked peaceful as he slept, no pain or worries. His lips were parted slightly and quiet snores escaped his mouth. His hair fell in curls over his face and some stuck up in random directions. My heart ached for the boy.

I made my way through to the kitchen to get a glass of water, thinking nobody would be up but as I entered I saw Michael, sitting at the kitchen counter with his head in his hands. He looked up as he heard me approach and his eyes were bloodshot and he looked like he hadn't had a proper nights sleep in weeks. I guess I'd forgotten how much of an effect Ashton was having on him too. He was is bestfriend at the end of the day.

"Hi Luke" he mumbled.

"Hey" I replied, pulling out a stool and sitting across from him.

"I'm sorry." Michael spoke.

"For what?"

"For not telling you about Ashton sooner. He made me promise not to tell you, he just wanted to try and protect you."

"Michael it's honestly okay, I understand why he did it. I can tell you're under enough stress so please don't worry about it." I said, meaning every word.

"Thank you Luke" he said sighing, as if a weight has been removed off his shoulders.

"Do you not think Ashton should be in hospital? Where doctors and nurses can check on him and make sure he's okay?" I asked Michael tentatively.

Michael slowly shook his head before answering. "I've already spoken to him about it and the Doctors also advised it but he refused. He hates hospitals and I think he would be under more stress if he was kept in there rather than at home. He has lots of medication to take but I make sure he takes it all and he's doing okay just now. It's his own body and we can't force him to go to hospital."

I sat in silence, letting his words sink in. I knew that Michael was right but it was hard to come to terms with it. Michael was still watching me and I nodded my head so he knew I'd understood.

I hated the fact that someone like Ashton, someone who was humble, selfless, caring and sweet could have such a cruel fate. A person like him, who could brighten anyone's day, was having to suffer. In that moment I wished that I could swap places with him so that I could take the beating and he could be free. I hated how unfair life was.

I had to do some research on pancreatic cancer so I'll try and make it as realistic as possible but if its not just go with it. Thanks again for reading, commenting and voting! Ily :) ~ Hannah