Attention Seeker // Luke Hemmings au

Chapter Six// Luke

"Your parents are taking you home today, Luke," one of the nurses cheerfully informs me. "Won't it be nice to sleep in your own bed?" She opens the curtains to let the sunshine stream through the room, blinding me. I'd been moved into my own private room since arriving. Not that I'm complaining. It's nice not having to listen to a roommate whine constantly, and then have their parents/friends sympathize in such sickeningly sweet voices I feel as if I'm going to have a cavity. 

"Yeah," I muse. I rub my eyes with my hand, sitting up in the hospital bed. "When will I be going back to school?" It's the very question I've been dreading. Whether or not people have found out about my... attempt has been eating me alive. Will everyone ignore me? Hate me? Welcome me back? 

"Well, the doctor says you should go back as soon as possible," she answers, pouring me a glass of water. "You can't miss too much of your studies now." She shakes her head, setting the cup on a tray along with a plate of jello. "I for one think that you should wait until you're ready to go back. If that's never, then there's always cyber school." She sends a cheeky smile my way. "The man doesn't listen to a word I say, though. He's always talking about how he's the one with the PhD." 

I smile, which is something I haven't quite done in a while. It feels weird, but I can tell by the look on the nurse's face that she's pleased. "Thanks," I mumble.

The next few days are a blur. Both my parents come and sign the release papers and thankfully bring me a change of clothing. I try to change quickly but end up tripping and doing a face plant as I pull on my skinnies. I ignore the nurse's snickering. They make me leave in a wheelchair. Mum says it's to avoid law-suits, but I'm not really listening because I don't care that much. My legs have been really sore lately for some reason. Probably because I haven't left that hospital bed in over a week.

After leaving the hospital, we all climb into my dad's Subaru and head home. They take me to my room and don't let my brother's come near me. After making sure I'm safely in bed, they head into the hallway and proceed to argue about me as if I can't hear them. First they talk about the fact my dad wants me to move in with him because obviously my mother isn't doing a good enough job if I just spent a week and a half in the hospital. Then they argue about when I'm going back to school and if they trust me enough to have my cell phone back. As much as I wish I didn't have to listen to their arguments, they also took away my stereo. 

That's. Just. Great.

Finally, it's decided. I'm going to be staying with my father for the rest of the school year. Did they think to ask about how I felt about it? Nope. It's all about them, just as usual. I cover my head with my soft light blue bed-sheet and sigh, wishing I could disappear. 

Two days later, my father drives me to school. I'm all settled at his apartment, along with his extremely large dog and extremely annoying girlfriend of whom is about four years older than I am. 

"Dad," I start, looking down at my hands uncomfortably. I chew on the inside of my lip and don't look up as he turns his head as if to make eye contact with me. I can feel him look at me, though, so I continue. "Is this some sort of mid-life crisis you're going through?" I glance out the window.

He chuckles, but it's forced. Everything with him seems forced anymore. It's like he never knows what to say, so he just spits out random half-hearted things. "What do you mean, Luke?"

"Well." I put the visor down to block the sun from my eyes, but a picture of his girlfriend falls out, right into my lap. "Most guys buy a new car when they get divorced. I know you just turned forty last month, so I can see where you're getting concerned. But a twenty-one year-old girlfriend?" I scowl, picking up the photograph and waving it for emphasis. "Dad, she's only a few years older than me!" 

I ignore the fact that he rolls his eyes. "Son, Maya and I care about each other. I don't mind that she's a little bit younger--"

"Nineteen years, Dad." 

He ignores me. "--because I care a lot about her. I was even thinking about proposing," he admits. When I look over at him, my heart drops. My dad appears to be completely and utterly lovesick. I don't mean your typical crush, this is full out puppy love, and it makes me want to puke. 

I glance out the window again and thankfully we're at the school. I don't bother replying, but grab my bag and swing the door open with the car still in motion. I ignore the fact that he calls my name, but simply jump out as he steps on the breaks, slamming the door behind me. 

"Luke Robert Hemmings!" He screams after me.

I don't even look back.