Somewhere in Neverland (Lashton)

Ch. 32: I Know You're Fine, But Do I Do?

"An empty room,

I'm empty too

And everything reminds me of you

So many things

I shouldn't have missed

The more that I push

And the more you resist

It's easy to say it's for the best

When you want more

While you leave me with less

I know you're fine, but what do I do?"

Marianas Trench (Fallout)

Ashton and Luke took turns throwing food into each others' mouths and epicly failing. The room filled with laughter and light conversation. There was a knock at the door. Luke hesitantly stood up, walking to the front door. He was surprised of who he found standing outside, Calum and Michael.

"Who's at the door?" Ashton asked coming into view of their two old friends. His smile dropped.

"Wh-what are you guys doing here?" Luke asked beyond confused. Both the boys looked nervous and maybe even a little bit scared.

"C-can we come in?" Michael asked nervously. Luke nodded, stepping aside. Michael and Calum entered the house.

"We've been doing a lot of thinking lately, about all that's happened. We've been friends since preschool. We miss you guys and we're sorry it took us this long to realize that. We should of been there for you, you needed us and we let you down. We're extremely sorry. And I may not necessary support you two being a couple but we want you both to be happy and if that means being together, then I can accept that," Michael told them. Ashton and Luke stood astonished. They had figured that it was just the end of the road of their friendship. Sure they secretly hoped for them to make up but they didn't expect it.

"I-I don't know what to say," Luke said.

"Say you'll forgive us. We know we hurt you and that things can't go back to the way they were but we used to be great friends. We just understood and got each other. And I'd hate for all those years of friendship to go to waste. Even with all that's happened, we still care for you and love you and want the best for you. We're sorry we couldn't see that before," Calum finished his speech. Luke smiled while Ashton remained cautious.

"You guys really hurt us. You abandoned us in our time of need. We have always been there for both of you, through the good and the bad. And you just turned your backs on us." Ashton's wounds from their betrayal had still not healed. Ashton was afraid that if they were to take them back, they'd hurt them again. Luke on the other hand, just wanted his old friends back. He was optimistic and believed every word they said.

"I forgive you," Luke said in a small voice. Ashton looked at him, surprised. He didn't want to forgive them. He was stubborn but at the same time he missed and longed for his old friends.

"I forgive you too," Ashton said. Both Michael and Calum smiled wide.

"Group hug?" With that the four boys huddled together just like old times. When they pulled back, they went over to the kitchen, sitting around the island.

"So, catch us up, what has been happening in your lives?" Michael asked as he grabbed a bag of chips.

"Well, I got into Cambridge on a full scholarship."

"That's incredible."

"Did you two get accepted into colleges?" Ashton asked.

"Yeah, I got into University of Sydney," Calum said.

"And I got into University of Canterbury in New Zealand." They caught each other up on all the events they'd missed and played video games just like old times. Calum had broken up with Michelle back in November. Michael had started dating this new girl, Elena. He told them how he loved her and how that was how he realized that love was love no matter who it was shared between. They told them of the engagement. Calum and Michael were happy for them, they even said they would attend the wedding.

The weeks drained by fast and before they knew it, it was the night before graduation. They hadn't spoken to Harry since Prom. He had went overseas to go apartment shopping and only just returned the other night. Ashton called him up and he agreed to met Luke and him at the forest. They now all sat in the treehouse, watching the sunset with a bottle of wine that they passed around.

"How was apartment hunting?" Ashton asked Harry.

"Really good. I found a real nice flat right by Oxford." The conversation remained light and Harry danced around the topic of Louis. It was obvious he was hiding something.

"Did something happen at prom with Louis?" Ashton finally asked. Harry remained silent. The moon was now out with stars spiralled across the sky.

"I know something happened. You left the prom early without even saying goodbye. You can tell us." Harry looked down at the floor, picking at his shoes.

"What happened?" The memories from that conversation with Louis on Prom night ran through his mind.

"I told him," he said in a small, defeated voice. Ashton and Luke knew not to push him. Obviously if he was like this, it didn't end well.

"He um, he doesn't feel the same. He just looked at me wide eyed like I was some freak. I haven't spoken to him since. He's been calling me but I've been too scared to pick up. I know what he's going to say when I do. He'll tell him how I'm a great guy and that he does love me just not the way I love him." Harry seemed distraught and broken.

"God, I shouldn't have told him. I ruined our friendship." Luke and Ashton stayed silent, unsure what to say to that.

"And you know what hurts the most?" Tears threatened to escape Harry's shattered green eyes.

"The fact that the man I love will never love me back. And I honestly, I don't know if I'll ever stop loving him." Luke's heart ached for the green eyed boy.