Paper Cuts | Luke Hemmings ✔

29. pray

It was around 3:00 in the morning when Corrine's phone began to ring loudly. She groaned, rolling over, grabbing her phone. Ashton's caller ID lit up the screen. Confused, she answered it. "Ashton?" she began. "It's 3:00 in the morning, what-"

"You need to get to the hospital." he rushed out. Corrine sat up in her bed, a little more alert.

"Why? What happened?"

"It's Luke. He was fine one moment, but then he just blacked out. Doctors can't wake him." Ashton said, his voice cracking.

"Okay, I'll be right there." Corrine jumped out of bed, quickly throwing on a tank top and some sweats. She grabbed her phone, and ran out into the hall. Sensing a commotion, Owen got out of bed, and poked his head out the door.

"Cory?" he grumbled. "What are you doing?"

"Something's wrong with Luke. I'll be back in the morning." she said, running down the stairs. She grabbed the car keys off the counter, and ran out into the night towards the car.

Corrine did her best to focus on her driving, and not get distracted while she drove to the hospital, but every now and then, he mind would drift to Luke, and she'd panic. She parked the car in a haste, and hurried into the building.

Ashton, Calum, and Michael were all there including Liz. There were talking to Dr. McCarthy, the one who was taking care of Luke. Corrine stopped by them and caught her breath. Michael helped steady her. "What's going on?" she asked. She looked to the Doctor. "What happened? You said he would be fine!" she growled.

"Corrine." Dr. McCarthy began. "It appears there were some complications, and that caused some damage."

"DAMAGE?!"

"Listen. One of the bullets got too close to Luke's heart, and caused some minor damage, but that led to bigger problems. Luke's body has shut itself down for the time being."

"So he's in a coma?" Calum asked.

"Yes. This is so the body can repair itself without complications." Dr. McCarthy explained.

"Do you know when he'll wake up?" Corrine asked.

"Unfortunately no. He could wake up shortly, in a few days, months, sometimes even years. I'm sorry, but the best thing we can do is wait." Corrine sighed in defeat. Liz brought her into a hug as she began to cry.

"It's alright deary. He'll make it through this. It's going to be okay." she said, rubbing her back. "It's going to be alright."

Corrine fell asleep on Calum that night in the waiting room. None of the boys had the heart to wake her, so they just let her sleep. "I feel bad for her." Michael whispered.

"Why?"

"She's been through so much. She doesn't deserve it. She's one of the kindest people we know." Michael said.

"Yeah." Ashton agreed. "Who know that the girl who helped Luke pass English would end up being part of the group."

"She seemed so weird before." Calum said. "But now that I know her, she's not all bad."

"And she makes Luke really happy. I mean, he seemed happy when he was with Amelia, but even more so that he's with Corrine. That bitch just had to ruin it all because Luke wouldn't be with her." Michael said through gritted teeth. "It's not fair for them."

"Agreed."

"Is she asleep?" the boys looked up. Mali and Lauren had arrived, with Owen in tow.

"Yeah. We didn't have the heart to wake her. She's exhausted." Ashton said.

"My shoulder's cramping though." Cal said.

"Here." Owen gently lifted Corrine's head, and let Calum stand up and stretch. Owen sat down, and leaned Corrine against him. He wrapped an arm around her back.

"She looks peaceful." Lauren noted. "Not so stressed."

"She does. Poor her." Mali sighed. "When I see that bitch, I'm going to strangle her." Mali growled.

"That's boring." someone muttered. The group looked over at Corrine. "If you're going to kill her, have fun with it. Push her off a bridge." Owen chuckled.

"Has anyone ever told you that you're absolutely morbid when you're tired."

"Whatever." Corrine mumbled.

"You're sassy too." Owen said.

"Nice to know."

Six days passed, and nothing changed. Everyday Corrine would go and check on Luke, stay for an hour or so, go home and be mopey, and then go back to the hospital. Everyone found it depressing. Owen couldn't even get Corrine to read her book. She loved to read, but because Luke wasn't around, she was just out of it. Everyday, Mali and Lauren would try and cheer her up, Michael would tell cheesy jokes, Calum would tell her child hood stories about Luke, even Ashton tried to make her smile, but nothing worked. She would just sit there. Staring at the wall. Wouldn't speak. She wouldn't even eat. Occasionally she'd get up and head some toast or an apple but that was it. She was making herself sick, and Owen began worrying about her. While wandering through the hospital one day, Owen passed Luke's room. He stepped inside, and frowned. "You need to wake the hell up soon because Corrine's going through hell right now. She needs you Luke. We all do." he said. He then left, and walked back to where his sister was.

Corrine sat in Luke's room one day, her head resting one her arms. "Luke." she whispered quietly. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I need you." Corrine reached out and grabbed one of his hands. It felt cold in her touch. "Please wake up." she cried. "I can't do this. I need you so bad. Everyday is complete and utter torture without you. Just wake up! Please!" she rested her head down on the bed, and cried. She squeezed Luke's hand with hers, even though she knew she wouldn't get a reaction. "I love you Luke." Corrine sat up in the chair, letting go of his hand. She stood up, and brushed some of his hair out of his face. He looked peaceful. Angelic. Restful. Corrine leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. His skin was cold, and he was paler than normal. It make Corrine a little sick to her stomach. "Wake up." she whispered. "Please."