Hurt

Chapter 7- Learning the hard way

Someone was shaking me and it was painful. I attempted to push them off but I was weak. Everything was like a dream. As if none of this ever actually happened. I heard  people talking, it sounded like at least two guys

Guy #1: Is he dead?

Guy #2: I doubt it...

Guy #3: Leave the kid alone guys.

Did that random dude literally just call me a kid? Okay that was it. I forced my mouth to work and mumbled 

"I'm not a kid"

There was a short pause before guy #3 spoke up.

"Well how was your sleep?"

I actually had no idea how long i'd been sleeping for and I felt like shit so this was basically a trick question. So I gave him a cocky reply.

"You tell me."

There was an audible chuckle before guy #2 offered

"I think you were friendlier asleep..."

I opened my eyes and saw 3 pairs of eyes staring back at me. I asked genuinly curious

"Who are you guys anyway?"

The most emo looking of the 3 long black hair, black converses and black eyeliner spoke up first.

"The name's Jake. That's Zack."

He said pointing to the the platinum blonde guy who gave me a friendly nod. Jake continued

"And that's Tony"

He gave a directional nod to the boy with a red mohawk and dark makeup who greeted me in his thick british accent

"What's up?"

I was still groggy but attempting to sound friendly I said

"Cool nice to meet you guys i'm Ashton"

Tony gave an approving nod and smiled

"Cool name. Anyway dude you've been asleep for two days."

I was surprised and it must have shown in my facial expressions because the guys laughed. Jake looked at his watch.

"Yep two days and a bit. It's almost super time. You weren't expecting that were you?"

I shook my head

"No I really wasn't..."

Zack got up

"Well i'm hungry i'm gonna get some food. Do you want me to bring you anything Ashton?"

I wasn't feeling that great so I just replied

"Call me Ash and nah i'm good but thanks anyway."

He shrugged 

"Òkay and are you sure?"

I nodded so he turned and just as he was leaving Tony jumped up and followed him while half shouting

"Wait up dude!"

I looked at Jake and asked

"Aren't you going to join them?"

He gave a slight chuckle before sighing.

"Nope, not hungry."

It was then that I noticed how thin he was but I didn't dare bring it up. So I just said

"Oh okay..."

There was a brief awkward silence before Jake asked hesitantly 

"So if you don't mind me asking, what brings you here?"

I thought about it for a second and decided on stating the obvious

"Depression I guess."

I looked down at my wrists as I realised they were covered up by a bandage like thing and I guess Jake noticed the bandages too but he didn't say anything he just casually pulled his sleeves down which lead me to believe he was here for the exact same thing so it surprised me when he said

"Drugs got me here."

I nodded in a silent understanding way. I knew what drug/alcohol addictions were like. We sat there for a few minutes staring at the floor deep in thought until I broke the silence.

"Do you like Black Veil Brides?"

His face lit up

"Hell yea and Sleeping With Sirens, Pierce The Veil, Falling In Rever..."

I zoned out momentarily as he stated all the bands he was into. I only tuned back in the last bit when he said

"It's what keeps me around you know?"

"Yea I feel you"

.

.

.

We were all just kind of chiling in our dorm when a random guys walked in on our very important conversation about socks. The guys folded his arms and asked

"Guys have you seen my bag? And who's the new guy?

Zack replied

"Nope we haven't seen your dope bag and this is Ashton"

He frowned and kicked the wall before leaving the room. I was momentarily stunned.

"What was that about?!"

Jake sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Just Blaze, he's an ass. Anyway long day tomorrow. We might as well get some sleep."

Everyone got up and went to their beds as Jake turned out the lights.

"Night guys"

Everyone half mumbled goodnight. I lied awake for awhile just wondering about how things were gonna be. Just fine Ash, just fine...

...

Everyone was watching me drown but no one was saving me. I screamed "Help" I sputtered and gasped. My arms flailed and I started to loose it. "What the fuck is wrong with you guys?!" They all turned away. A hand grabbed mine and started pulling me underwater...

"Ash! Wake up dude!" I sat up in a panic and looked around the room with wild eyes before taking a deep breath and closing my eyes in front of me was merely Tony.

"Are you alright there bud?"

Tony asked with a slight hint of amusement in his voice.

"Yea just bad dreams I guess."

Tony nodded as if he understood.

"It's okay we've all been through our share of those. Well anyway I mostly came to see if you wanted to sneak out a bit before breakfast?"

I looked at the clock over the door. It read 3am.

"I guess"

I said sliding cautiously out of bed.

"Marvelous!"

 Tony said while grinning.