"Wh-what are you doing here?" I asked quietly, puzzled at the sight of the boy in my room.
"I came to see you." Ashton replied, then shook his head, smirking. "Well, obviously I came to see you. I guess I was...worried."
I was suddenly aware of him still griping my wrists and I glance down to see his long fingers wrapped firmly around my arms. Seeing me notice, he slowly let my arms go and cleared his throat.
"Luke told me about yesterday...and I don't wanna make a big deal out of it, if you're doing fine...but from what Luke told me-you're not; so I don't wanna belittle it either..." He began rambling as I sat up straighter against my headboard, bringing my knees up underneath my chin.
"How are you?" His hair looked disheveled, an artful mess of light brown and dirty blonde. He looked at me with a serious, caring expression, although his eyes still held the lightness in them that they always had.
"Good." I answered, running fingers through my hair, which was probably a mess. The boy gave me a look as if to say he thought otherwise, and he sat down at the edge of my bed, creating a soft dip in the mattress.
"Your mother let me in." He began as he silently observed my bedroom. "When I walked in, you were flailing and cringing...and crying."
Instinctively, I reached for my cheek, feeling a wetness around my eyes which I quickly rubbed away. He watched me realize it to be true and took a deep breath, regaining my attention.
"I figured you were having a nightmare..." A momentary silence settled between us. I couldn't deny it, but it felt uncomfortable admitting it, too.
"Look Laraine, it's okay-"
"I'm fine." I cut him off mid-sentence. Normally, I wouldn't be so quick to turn away from his affection; he was only trying to help. But I felt so vulnerable, so weak. Wanting to forget the whole thing ever even happened, I decided to begin with the denial of my emotions.
"Luke's had them too." I snapped out of my thoughts at the mention of Luke's name. He sighs a sigh of relief, knowing he'd gotten through to me. Just a little.
"Yeah?" I asked quietly, waiting for him to go on. He nodded, his gaze never breaking from mine.
"Yeah, last night after he came home, he'd told us all about the shooting, running out of the theatre, then your mom coming to get you... We didn't really know what to do, ya know, considering he wasn't hurt or anything. But like Michael said, we completely understand if he's traumatized, just a little. But he just wouldn't admit to it." I nodded and found myself leaning forward, listening to Ashton's story.
"Then around 5:00 this morning, Calum was up making an omelet when he heard shouting coming from Luke's room. I don't know how neither me nor Michael never heard him; but we didn't."
He stayed quiet for a moment, watching me with silent eyes as my head clouded with thoughts of Luke. Luke having a nightmare. Luke shouting. Luke crying. I wanted to see him. Just as I was about to speak, Ashton's voice broke the silence.
"So I was wondering if you wanted to come over and hang out with me and the lads. I completely understand if you just wanna be alone..." I did want to see everybody, but at the same time, I longed to be alone and wallow in my own self pity. There was a piece of me that wanted Ashton to leave so that I could climb underneath my white comforter and get lost forever.
"Michaels been awful worried about you." He joked and I laughed lightly. He grinned, glad he made me smile.
"Really though." His voice softened to barley more than I whisper. "We're all wondering how you're doing." I pursed my lips, deciding to get out of bed. Ashton held out his hand, helping me stand up, a questioning look on his face.
I nodded, confirming the answer to his question. A smile broke out across his face.
"Luke will be so happy to see you." I smiled, giving him a nod.
"I just need to get dressed first."
He stopped on his way to my door and turned back around.
"Oh come on, Laraine. It's just us. Come in your pj's." he said, rolling his eyes.
"A month ago, I didn't even know who you were, I am not coming over in my underwear and sweatshirt."
"That sweatshirt is practically a dress on you." He pointed out. When I didn't say anything else, he put his hands up in defense.
"Okay. Okay. I'll be waiting in the car." He turned back around and swiftly shut the door, leaving me to myself in the big, empty room.
YOU ARE READING
Make believe
Fanfiction"His love was like the rain; beautiful and free. He showered her with kisses just as the clouds showered the pavement, and it was true."
