The Great Album Escapade [Lashton]

How can you feel alone in a crowded space?

Luke has been gone for a week now and Ashton's going crazy. No one knows where he is but they're not going to send a search party out or anything because he still talks to all the boys daily. No one is really sure why Luke is still gone but it's really affecting the band. Ashton hasn't done much other than sleep and cry since Luke left. He knows it's his fault Luke has gone but he's just not sure what he did.

"Hey, Cal?" Michael asks, whispering so he doesn't wake the sleeping Ashton in the couch between them.

"Yeah, Mike?"

"When do you think Lukey's coming home?"

"I don't know Mikey. Do you think this is still about his stupid song thing?"

"Honestly, yeah I do. This just seems like something he'd do to get Ashton to play along."

"Yeah but it's really hurtful, just look at Ash! He's so lost without Luke."

As if he could sense he was the topic of conversation Ashton starts whimpering in his sleep. "Lukey." He says as tears start to fall from his eyes.

Calum goes to wake Ashton up and comfort him while Michael leaves the room to make an angry phone call.

Luke a showers the phone after a couple rings. "Hey Mikey." He says sounding cheerful and that pisses Michael off even more because he has no clue what this is doing to Ashton.

"Don't you 'hey Mikey' me Lucas." Michael grumbles. "You need to come home now. You're putting so much stress on this band and on Ashton."

"I-I can't come home yet Mikey. I'm sorry." Luke says suddenly sounding like he's holding back tears.

"Well when do you plan on being back because you can't keep telling Ashton soon if you're not actually going to be back soon."

"I know, I know. I'm so sorry for what I'm doing to him but I have no clue when I'll be back." Luke is crying now and he's not even trying to hide it from Michael.

"He's so lost without you Lukey." Michael says, his voice softening, "it's like you've just left him without direction and he doesn't know what to do anymore."

"I'm so sorry Mikey. I love him so much he has to know this."

"If you love him then you'd come home."

"I can't! Not yet. I have some things I need to get done first."

"Well hurry the fuck up." Michael hangs up the phone feeling angrier than he was before he called Luke.

-----

"Ash, Ashton wake up. It's just a dream" Calum whispers gently shaking Ashton.

The older boy opens his eyes before closing them again and cuddling into Calum's chest letting out his tears. "I miss him so much Cal." He whispers.

"I know Ash we all do." Calum rubs Ashton's back trying to calm his tears. "Deep breaths Ashton. I'm sure you don't want to have another panic attack."

Ashton tries to calm his breathing and luckily it works, his tears slowing with his breathing. "I'm sorry Cal."

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I can't remember the last time I saw his face."

"It was only a week ago Ash. You can't tell me you're memory is already going bad." They both laugh at Calum's poor excuse for a joke before falling silent. They sit in silence for a while just enjoying the peace.

"I'm going to go on a walk Cal. If I'm not back by dinner just like call me or something." Ashton says removing himself from Calum's embrace and walking from the room.

"Okay, be safe Ash."

"I will Cal."

-----

Ashton's been walking for who knows how long. His feet hurt like hell but he can't stop. He has a feeling that Luke is around here and he just needs to find him.

Ashton finds himself sitting on a random bench in an overly crowded park and all he can think about is how alone he feels. He never understood all those sayings about being surrounded with people but feeling totally alone until now.

Sitting on the park bench Ashton is left with nothing to to but think and he does a lot of it.

He thinks about Luke, mostly.

He thinks about bringing Luke back.

He thinks about searching for Luke.

He thinks about the last times he heard and saw Luke.

He thinks about how much he missis that stupid blond haired blue eyed boy that has stolen his heart.

He thinks if anyone else in this park is as heartbroken as he is.

He thinks about himself and he wonders if there's anyone out there who can save him because right now he really needs saving.

The phone in Ashton's pocket vibrates and he knows it's Calum so he doesn't bother to answer it, he instead just starts his trek back home. He he does pull out his phone a couple minutes latter though to text Calum and tell him he's on his way home.

When Ashton gets home that night he doesn't eat, he doesn't talk to the boys, he doesn't do anything. He can't do anything but cry because on his way home from the park he realized something.

Without Luke, Ashton is a lost boy.