Beside You *Muke*

Chapter 3

I sit with a cup of tea pressed into my hands, staring down at the floor with my knees pressed to my chest. Ashton was looking at me sadly from across the room and I already knew he was plotting what to do next as he bit his lip and rubbed his temples in thought. "I'm sorry I'm bothering you," I whimper through the lip of my coffee cup, the steam soothing the lash on my cheek.

"You're not bothering me, Luke," Ashton tells me softly, running a hand through his sandy mop of curls. "I'm glad you called me. Not under this circumstance of course but I'm glad you thought to come to me," He offers me a smile and I return it halfheartedly, taking a sip of tea, the light taste instantly coating my tongue. "I was going to give that Michael asshole a piece of my mind before you called me," He admits slowly and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"You didn't have to do that," I tell him quietly.

"I know I didn't have to but I felt obliged to," He tells me as he watches me bring the cup up to my lips again. "Do you want more ice or anything?" Ashton asks, looking down at the melted sandwich bag which, an hour ago, used to hold ice I had pressed to my face.

"No, I'm okay. Can I just sleep for a while?" I ask. All of that crying seemed to tire me out and as soon as Ashton nods, my eyes flutter closed and I feel asleep in a matter of seconds, ignoring the searing pain in my cheek.

***

"Here's your clothes," Ashton growls, throwing the balled up red shirt and sweatpants in Michael's face. We had snuck into my house when I told him about the dilemma and we were here now, at the water fountain in front of the bakery, here to bring them back. Ashton angrily balls his hands into fists and I shake my head, staying silent as Michael stares at us with confusion.

The two of us start to walk off without another word and tears had started to spill down my cheeks as a million and one emotions course through my system. When Ashton pleads me not to cry, I nod weakly and say, "I-I'm t-trying," as I wipe my cheeks lightly.

"Luke, wait," Michael begs from behind us and when he grabs onto my wrist with urgency, I wince.

"G-Get off me p-p-please," I say as I begin to panic, chest becoming tight. My breathing starts to come in light pants and Ashton's eyes just about to bug out of his head.

"Get the fuck off him, you prick," He growls and Michael instantly drops his hand, looking confused.

"What's wrong? What'd I do? Luke, can you look at me, mate? I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Michael says, voice strained.

"Are you fucking kidding me? How in bloody hell don't you know what you did?!" Ashton asks in a low growl as he pulls me into his chest.

I shake my head quickly, wiping my eyes, hands trembling. "I don't-- I can't-- P-Please don't t-touch m-me," I whimper, pulling out of Ashton's embrace and running a hand through my hair as I slide down the brick wall of the bakery, rocking on my heels as I begin to cry harder.

"If it was because of what I said the other day, I'm so sorry. I didn't know it would effect you so badly and I--" I shake my head at him, still not meeting his gaze. Michael's eyes hold confusion and when I finally look up at him, I watch his whole face pale. "Luke, oh god, what happened?" He asks.

"Like you fucking care," Ashton hisses. "You dropped him you heartless asshole. You don't even have the right to even worry about him,"

"He-He's hurt?" Michael asks and sinks to the ground at my feet. "Oh god, Luke, I'm so sorry for everything that I did. It was inconsiderate of me and--" I shake my head quickly, continuing to sob into my hands and bring myself up off the cold ground.