Again | Luke Hemmings

viii

I don't remember falling asleep on the couch. The tv was still on, now showing Spiderman 2 on TV, blinding me a little. I switched it off and closed my eyes again.

I heard a disgusting noise coming from my bathroom so I quickly got up from the couch and grabbed the nearest item, an umbrella.

I heard the sound again and walked faster to the bathroom. My first instinct was to run for help since I don't remember where I left my phone and my second instinct was to hit whatever it was with the umbrella then make a run for it.

The sound got louder as I stepped in front of bathroom. It was slightly open but not enough to see who was inside. I feel my chest tightening as I push the door open. I was ready to hit the person but wasn't able to when I saw Luke resting his head on the toilet seat. He's still here? I wasn't dreaming? He's actually here?

"Luke, are you okay?" I asked, kneeling down beside him.

He doesn't face me, he shakes his head no and he is sweatier than before.

"I'll call the hospital, stay here." I panicked and rushed out to look for my phone. I found it tucked in the side of the couch and called the hospital. They told me to give him some water and let him rest on the couch.

I can't believe I'm doing this. I really can't believe I'm doing this. I should be ignoring him and moving on with my life, not worrying about him and waiting for sirens from the distance. This isn't what I had in mind.

- - -

"He has alcohol poisoning." The doctor informed me, writing something on a paper.

"How long will he be staying here?" I glance at Luke who is currently sleeping with a tube connected to his hand. He looked so weak, almost like he could snap if you touched him. At least he wasn't as pale as earlier.

"A week or just until he is fully stable. How much did he drink?" He asked.

"I'm not really sure. I wasn't there when he drank." I answered honestly.

"I see. Well, we'll make sure he gets better. I'll be sending a nurse to assist you, just press the red button if you need anything or if he wakes up." He said before leaving the room.

The walls are a light shade of gray, giving off a sad atmosphere and there isn't much in this room aside from a small sofa bed, a plastic chair, a tv and a small drawer with a telephone on top.

I called Liz and she said she was on her way, she sounded more anxious than angry.

Luke slightly moved and his blue eyes fluttered open. I immediately rushed to his side and decide whether I should push the red button to let them know he's awake.

"Joey?" Luke's voice is raspy and deep, lips are pale and cheeks don't have color.

"Hey, Luke." I respond and sat on the plastic chair beside his bed.

He triea to reach for my hand and I immediately placed it on my lap. He can't do this. We can't do this. He frowned when my hand was no longer on his bed. An awkward tension rising between us.

"How are you?" He asked. His blue eyes weren't the usual blue but still looked nice.

"I should be asking you that." I attempted to joke.

He smiled a little and looked around the room and back at me.

"Hey, Joey?"

"Yeah?"

"When I'm out of here, do you. . .would you. . .do you wanna go out?" His eyes were filled with hope. I think he's forgetting why I don't like him and I'm only here because he's sick.

"Your mom will be here soon." I said, changing topic. The pink color that appeared on his cheeks were either from the coldness of this room or from my similar-to-rejection answer.

"Okay." He whispered, sitting up. I stood up to help him since he was wincing every time.

"The doctor says you have alcohol poisoning and they'll let you go once you're clear." I tell him. I didn't know what else to say and I felt like he needed to know.

"Do they know?"

"Who?" I knit my eyebrows together. They?

"The fans. Do they know?" He asks again. Oh.

"Not yet."

"Oh."

I stayed quiet and sat back down.

"Do the boys know?"

"Yeah. They were here a while ago." I tell him.

"They didn't stay?" His voice was small and he looked like a sad child.

"No. But they're coming back tonight."

His face brightened a bit. "Okay."

"Okay."

We fell into silence and just the right time for Liz to come in, saving me —us from another awkward silence. Jack was with her and Liz immediately walked to Luke's side while Jack just stood at the edge of his bed.

I quietly left the room so they could bond. I decided to head home and catch up on my homework and prepare for the finals, Liz would understand. Luke would understand.