Scale

Chapter 6

**Ashton**

Schools almost over and I can see Luke almost buckling underneath the stress of Finals. It makes me want to hold him tight and tell him it’s alright. I don’t have finals, I was studying Drama and Music so I finished earlier Luke decided to take English and Biology leaving him with two of the hardest finals. I do my best to keep him happy. I make him tea when he’s studying, I help him into bed when he falls asleep studying. I make sure he wakes up in time for class and doesn’t miss any.

“Luke?” I ask knocking on the bathroom door. He’s been in there for at least ten minutes and I’m starting to get worried.

“C’mon Luke open up.” I say knocking a little harder. I hear him start to sob and my eyes widen.

“A-ash.” He says from inside and I bite my lip.

“Stay away from the door.” I say stepping back. I raise my foot and kick the door causing it to slam open. Luke is curled up in the corner of the bathroom sitting in a puddle of what looks like vomit and blood. Luke is clutching a razor and I can see the red lines up and down his arms.

“Oh Lukey.” I say dropping to my knees. He lets out a painful sob and I reach out pulling him into a hug. I shush him as I turn on the tap sticking the plug in the tub. I reach down and grab the hem of Luke’s shirt pulling it over his head. He lets out another sob and I try and hold one in when I see how thin he is. I swallow the lump in my throat and I strip him down to his boxers. I motion to the tub and he stands pulling off his boxers and climbing into the lukewarm water. I rinse away the puke and clean off his arms. I wash his hair for him as I softly hum ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay. He cries into his knees the whole time and I just keep pressing soft kisses to his shoulder every once in a while. I grab our biggest most fluffy towel and help him move to the toilet seat avoiding the vomit. I bandage his arms and press a few kisses to them.

“I’ll be right back.” I say walking to his room. I grab a pair of boxers and a t-shirt for him and I walk back to find him trying to clean up the vomit.

“Luke, don’t worry about it.” I say pulling him away and he just lets out a small sob. I rinse his hands and help him pull on the t-shirt and boxers.

“Why don’t you go sit on the couch? I’ll be out in a minute.” I say and he nods walking from the small room. I quickly clean up the vomit and move to join Luke on the couch pulling him into a hug.

“Luke, how long have you been doing this?” I ask and he tenses.

“S-since ninth grade.” He whimpers out and I want to cry.

“Luke, please stop doing this to yourself.” I say softly and he just lets out a sob. I rub his back and i pull him to his feet walking towards the bathroom.

“Where are we going?” He asks his voice sounding like a child’s.

“I need to see how much you weigh.” I say softly and he tries to get out of my grip.

“Luke, listen to me. You are not ugly, I’m going to help you, but you need to let me.” I say running my thumb across his hip. I look to the scale in front of me and I feel fear. I’m scared for what number will pop up when Luke steps on it. I push him forwards a little bit and he sets foot on the metal contraption. 82. My knees nearly give out when I see the number. I put my hand up to my mouth staring at the number. Luke lets out a strangled cry mistaking my shock for disgust. He slides to the floor and I quickly rush over to him.

“I’m sorry.” He sobs out. I grab his face and make him look at me.

“Lucas Robert Hemmings, don’t you dare apologize. You are going to get better. I promise.” I say and he closes his eyes leaning into my touch.

“Let’s go lie down yea?” I ask and Luke nods tears still running down his face. I stand up and pull him with me. I walk towards his room and I pulls back his covers. He climbs in and I can’t seem to tear my eyes off of his skinny legs and arms. He grabs my hand and I climb into bed with him. He lets out a strangled cry and I squeeze his hand.

“I’m s-so u-ugly A-Ash, I d-don’t t-think I c-can stop. I j-just w-want to be p-perfect.” He sobs. I shake my head and pull him into my chest.

“You are perfect Luke.” I say pressing a kiss to his hair.