Again | Luke Hemmings

vi

"Sup, Luke?" Ashton said cooly.

Luke giggled at Ashton and looked at me.

"Hey, Joeyyyy. Why don't youuuu sit with usssss?" I don't understand how he got super drunk in the few minutes I was inside the house.

Ashton and I looked at each other and back to the drunk blond boy in front of us.

"I'm actually tired so I'm going home." I told him and pulled Ashton's arm to the direction of Bailey's car but Ashton changed my direction to what I assumed is where his car was parked.

"I'll bring you home!" He yelled, making a few people and our friends look at us.

"You're drunk, Luke." Ashton pointed out and my grip on his arm tightened.

"Noooo, I'm not." Luke slurred, stumbling his way towards us and tried his best to walk straight.

"Where's Chloe?" Ashton asked.

"Who's Chloe?"

"You're girlfriend?" He said in a 'duh' tone. I cringed when Ashton said that and the anger that was forming in me made my blood boil.

"I broke up with her." Luke shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. I felt a small weight being lifted off my shoulders when he said that. Don't!

"Alright. Let's get you home, too." Ashton pulled on Luke's shoulder to help him keep his balance.

Luke started laughing like a little boy as we get closer to Ashton's car.

This is going to be a long ride.

-

Luke begged us not to let him be dropped off at his house because his mum might get mad. He's beyond wasted, of course she'll get mad. So, he begged me to let him crash at my place for the night, he couldn't stay at Ashton's because his mum doesn't really like him. I gave in after what seemed like a very long time and plus, Luke was starting to annoy me with all the whining, ranting and random compliments, so I had to say yes for him to shut up.

We arrived at my apartment and I struggled to get my keys in my bag because Luke kept giggling and his weight was forced on me and Ashton.

"I would let him stay with me but you know why I can't." Ashton whispered, not wanting Luke to hear us even if he was on the other side of the hallway laughing at doors. I didn't even notice him run to the other side. Drunk Luke is annoying Luke.

"This place is huge!" Luke yelled, still laughing.

Ashton and I groaned at the same time as he jogged his way to Luke.

I finally unlocked my door and stepped inside, the cool temperature from the aircon hitting my bare arms. I stepped out of my heels and sighed in relief.

"It's so c-cold." Luke whined and I turned around to see him eyeing me up and down. "But you're hot." His familiar smirk forming on his lips. My cheeks felt hot and Ashton looked annoyed.

"Okay, time to go to bed." Ashton said, talking as if Luke was a five year old. His grip on Luke's arms looked tight, probably to help him balance himself and walk straight.

"I don't want toooo." He dragged the 'o', stomping his foot like a child.

"You have to." I could tell Ashton's patience was becoming slim and I couldn't help but laugh a little at the two.

I left them so I could get out of this stupid dress and into something more comfortable.

I settled with a large t-shirt and my shorts, even with the cold temperature I didn't mind.

I noticed my phone light up, flashing the words Battery Low in the middle of the screen. Pressing on the power button to lock it, I immediately plugged my phone to my charger and my lockscreen came into view. A picture of Luke and I laughing at something, I guess. I thought it was nice and I don't know why I haven't changed it after how many years. Usually, looking this wouldn't bother me at all but right now, the tears won't stop threatening to fall down. I stopped myself anyways.

"Joey, you in here?" Ashton's voice was muffled by the door, breaking me from my thoughts down memory lane. I opened it and he almost fell forward but regained his balance.

"Yes?"

"I'm gonna go now so if you need anything, just call." His smile was warm yet sympathetic, probably because of Luke being here or being around in general.

"Sure. Thanks." I smiled at him.

"Are you okay with him here?"

"Yeah, I think he'll know his way out tomorrow."

"Okay."

"What time tomorrow?" I asked, suddenly remembering the hang out with Ashton tomorrow.

"Oh. . .um. . .a-around 2, maybe?" He stuttered.

"Okay. Well, goodnight, Ash." I said and kissed his cheek.

His face reddened and he left as I closed my bedroom door.

I laid on my bed and realization hits me when I remember that Luke passed out in my living room. I should probably leave him some pain killers and water when he wakes up tomorrow.

I lazily got up from my bed and walked to the kitchen. I looked for my medicine kit and got one tab of Advil. I didn't know how much he drank tonight so I'll just give him two. I filled up a glass of water and quietly went to the living room to place the items on the coffee table.

"I'm sorry." Luke mumbled, stirring in his sleep.

My heart swelled at the sight of him sleeping like an innocent person, curled into a ball-like form on my couch. When the small crease in the middle of his eyebrows disappeared as he snored lightly made me almost forget why I hated him.

I heard his teeth chatter. I should get him a blanket. Or leave him here to freeze in the cold room so he'd know how it felt to have no source of warmth in your life anymore. Metaphorically.

I searched for a blanket in my closet and successfully found one, a slightly ragged white sheet but it was definitely warm and comfy enough. I walked back to the living room to wrapped it around his freezing body. He looked like a white burrito wrapped in white paper- stop, Joey!

Why was I even doing this?

Once I was sure he was warm enough, I go to my kitchen to drink water before cleaning myself up from the makeup so I could finally get some shut eye.