Fortuitou

[3]

After driving for 10 minutes a phone starts to ring, causing Luke to wake up. He shoots an apologetic look and answers the call. His face falls,  as does a single tear when the shouting, coming from his phone, doesn't seem to end.

Ashton frowns as he hears Luke muttering 'I'm sorry"'s over and over. When the yelling finally stops Luke just stares at his lap. Tears are trailing down his cheek, then falling in his lap. 

"If you don't mind me asking, who was that?" Ashton asks quietly. Luke's head shoots up and he frantically shakes his head.

"Just stop here, it's only a few blocks away. I'll walk the rest." Luke's tone is quiet but the look on his face is one that tells Ashton no to argue. Ashton nods and stops the car. Luke is out of the car in seconds but before the door closes Ashton hears a soft; 

"Thanks" It's so soft that Ashton almost thinks he imagined it. He sighs and watches Luke walk off.

"Luke, you have to tell me what's going on." Calum looks concerned and Luke can't blame him realy. He's been distant all day and he's covered in bruises. The look in Calum's eyes tells Luke he can't lie. 

"I-i I ju- It's nothing?" Luke says softly the sentence ending in a question. Calum shakes his head.

"Luke, where do these bruises come from? If you tell me I can help you." Luke just looks at the ground silently pushing back tears.

"Luke, it's me, Calum. Your best friend for 16 years, your brother." Calum pleads and Luke looks up, a tear rolling down his cheek. Calum's face softens and he pulls Luke in a tight hug. They just stand there in the middle of the hallway. After standing there for ten minutes in silence, Luke mutters something. Calum doesn't catch it.

"What's it you're saying?" He asks softly, Luke replies.

"It's my dad." Calum doesn't think he's ever been so angry.

"Oh Luke, why didn't you tell me? Does anyone know?" Calum talks softly and Luke just shakes his head. So many things are going through both the boy's heads.

"I'm gonna take you home, okay?" Luke just nods and they pull apart. They walk next to each other and when Luke sways a little on his feet, Calum is there and Luke leans on him the rest of the walk to the car. 

"Luke, I need to tell my mom! You need help! I can't help you, the police has to be involved!" Luke just sits on the couch shaking his head while tears stream over his cheeks. He keeps muttering; "please don't" over and over again. Calum sighs and takes Luke in his arms cuddling with him in the big bed.

"What am I going to do with you." Luke doesn't reply, when Calum looks he sees him fast asleep.

Ashton is at the cafe again, standing with a coke in his hand. He looks around, searching for the blue eyed boy who's been on his mind ever since he first saw him. Luck isn't on Ashton's side though, 'cause the boy is nowhere to be seen. Ashton does spot a boy seemingly around his age standing at the bar looking bummed out. Ashton walks up to him, and introduces himself.

"Hi, I'm Ashton. You don't look happy, what's up?" The boy looks up and smiles at Ashton. He replies, 

"I'm Michael, my friends decided not to show up. We were gonna perform here but looks like that's not gonna happen." Ashton nods and finally recognises the boy.

"You perform here last week right? I saw you with those two other dudes." Ashton decides not to mention how he would love to snog the living hell out of the fit blonde one, because he doesn't want to screw his chance on getting an actual friend here. It seems to work because the boy smiles and nods.

"Yeah, we performed here last week, that was cool. What did you think?" Ashton smiles, quite relieved the boy doesn't think he's a creepy stalker, and replies.

"You were amazing! What kinds of music do you like?" Michael lights up at the compliment and begins to talk about all his favourite bands. Ashton listens carefully, nodding at more than a few, agreeing on how amazing that and that song are. When he feels his butt vibrate he shoots an apologizing look at Michael who just shrugs and motions for him to get it. Ashton smiles as a thanks and picks up.

"Hello?" He answers questioningly.

"Thank god, you finally picked up! Where are you? I don't have a problem with you going out but at least let me know." 

"Sorry mom, I totally forgot. I wasn't planning on really going anywhere but I met Michael and we've just been talking." Ashton shrugs but then realises that his mum can't see.

"I'll head home, yeah? Okay, Bye. Love you." He hangs up and looks up at Michael. 

"Sorry, I got to go. See you later?" Michael nods and hands Ashton his phone to put his number in. Ashton does and waves at Michael walking out of the cafe, smiling at himself, slightly proud of actually making a friend.

Luke wakes up confused and alone. He panics but then hears singing coming from downstairs. He notices he's still in his jeans from yesterday so he quietly makes his way downstairs. When Luke walks into the kitchen he's hit with a delicious smell. He chuckles at the sight of Calum shaking his ass while flipping a pancake. 

"Smells good." Luke compliments and Calum shrieks, making Luke laugh.

"You scared me! Don't creep up on me like that again or there will be no pancakes for you, mister." He threatens, pointing the spatula at Luke's chest. Luke just laughs again and Calum smiles.

"Pancakes are pretty much finished. Wanna grab the Nutella?" 

Ashton is eating his bowl of cereal when he receives a text from Michael. 

"Hey, wanna hang out?" 

Ashton immediately replies with a: "sure, text me the address and I'll be on my way."

Michael is quick with an answer and Ashton decides to walk. It's a sunny day and a slight breeze causes Ashton's hair to fly up and then fall down again. It's peacefull and Ashton relaxes. When he arrives at Michael's house he rings the bell. Ashton looks at his shoes and notices that his, once white, All stars are very dirty and are almost falling apart. The door opens but it's not Michael who's standing there.

"What are you doing here?"

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