Everyday Amnesia

0.4

Ashton doesn't know when he started crying, or when he dropped the phone, but he picks it back up and attempts to communicate between sobs.

"W-Why?" He asks miserably.

  "His fever reached 38°C (101°F)" Mrs. Clifford explains, trying her best to hold in her sobs. She needed to stay strong, not only for Michael, but for Ashton too. Michael talked non-stop about him, and they were practically brothers. The only person her son talked more about was Calum.

"Oh god," Ashton croaks. "I-I need t-to see him."

  "Okay, sweetie. You can tell Mrs. McKennan where you're going and I'll come pick you up," Mrs. Clifford says gently. Ashton lets out a weak 'okay' before sprinting down the stairs to the kitchen where Hannah was cooking dinner.

  "I'm mak- Ash, what's wrong?" Hannah asks, stepping away from the stove and pulling Ashton into a warm hug. His shoulders heaved as he sobbed, and he tried to get the words out.

  "I need...hospital...Mikey...sick," Ashton chokes out. Somehow Hannah understands and before she can offer Ashton a ride, he's out the door. It's raining, the dark clouds matching his mood. A sleek, black car pulls up and he jumps off the porch, not bothering to use the stairs. Ashton gets into the backseat and neither of them say anything as she pulls away.

  "Is he- I need to know.. is he okay?" Ashton gasps between sobs. Mrs. Clifford can't answer because god, she can't give him false hope. So she just sighs.

   "I hope so," She breathes. Ashton whimpers and wipes furiously at his cheeks with his sleeves, turning to watch the raindrops trail down the window. They stay in silence throughout the entire ride, and Ashton jumps out before the car has rolled to a complete stop.

He runs, splashing through the muddy puddles of the parking lot. His jeans are soaked, but he doesn't care. He bursts through the doors and slows, walking quickly up to the receptionist's desk.

"May I help you?" She asks kindly, seeing Ashton in such a broken state.

"Michael Clifford," Is all he says, all he can manage.

  "Room 214," The answer is barely out of the woman's mouth before Ashton is dashing down the halls and up the stairs to the second floor.

  "Eleven, twelve, thirteen. Fourteen!" He pushes open the door and gasps. Michael's sleeping, but god he looks horrible. He looks so tiny and fragile, as white as the sheets. His best friend is lying there, looking half-dead.

Ashton falls into a chair and winces when it scrapes across the tiles. He looks frantically towards Michael and shit, he's awake. Michael sits up slowly, rubbing his eyes with clenched fists. He yawns and turns his head to look at Ashton.

"Ash?" He mumbles, voice low and raspy.

"Mike," Ashton wants to cry all over again but instead he walks over to the bed and wraps Michael into a hug, grimacing when he felt the heat emanating from Michael's skin. Michael hugs him back and whispers soothing words in his ear, telling him that he'll be alright.

  "I need food," Michael pouts.

  "I'll get you some," Ashton squeezes him once before walking out the door, nearly colliding into somebody. Calum and Luke.

   "Ashton? Why are you here?"

   "I could say the same," Ashton retorts, scowling.

   "We were visiting a friend, s'all. In that room," Calum points to room 215. Ashton nods before walking past the two and heading towards the cafeteria. Technically, Michael wasn't supposed to be eating this food, but whatever. He'd steal some from Ashton anyway.

   "You didn't text me," Luke is strolling alongside Ashton, much to his annoyance. Sure, Luke was fucking gorgeous, but Ashton wasn't up for any of his games.

   "I didn't want to," Ashton replies, shrugging carelessly. A look of hurt crosses Luke's face and he kind of regrets being so harsh.

   "It's not a game," Luke says quietly. "I really like you."

   "We've only had like, two proper conversations," Ashton says, cheeks flaring.

   "Best two conversations I've ever had in my entire life," The blonde replies, smiling a little. Ashton groans because damn, that smile was going to be the death of him. He doesn't say anything though, and quickly buys four pizza slices, grabbing the paper bag and hurrying back upstairs.

He scowls when Luke easily keeps up with him, because of those long, long legs. How can this one boy be so fucking perfect? He's ready to slam his head in the wall because he should not be thinking these thoughts when his best friend was in the hospital.

"Mikey," Ashton says. Michael looks up from the Teen Vogue magazine he's been reading and grins when Ashton hands him the paper bag.

  "This magazine is so boring," He complains.

  "I have a comic book in my bag?" Luke offers, pointing to the backpack Ashton did not realize he had on. Michael smiles widely before groaning and picking up the bin beside his bed. Ashton rubs his back while he gets sick.

"I probably shouldn't eat but," He shrugs, pulling out a slice of pizza and taking a large bite. Ashton smacks his arm before accepting the comic book Luke hands him, giving it to Michael. His eyes light up excitedly when he sees that it's Spiderman.

While Michael reads the comic book, Ashton and Luke discuss music. Luke likes bands that he likes. Blink 182, All Time Low, Sleeping With Sirens, Paramore. Ashton is ready to get down on one knee and propose to him.

"Do you play any instruments?" Luke asks curiously.

"Drums, guitar, and piano," Ashton answers.

  "Cool! I can only play guitar. And sing," Luke says.

   "I can't sing," Ashton admits. He does enjoy singing, he just doesn't like the sound of his voice. Michael smacks him, not even looking up from his comic. Ashton rolls his eyes.

   "What TV shows do you watch?"

   "Uh whatever's on I guess," He replies.

   Luke's phone buzzes before he could say anything. He fishes it out of his pocket and looks at the screen. Ashton can see him visibly pale. Luke stands up and sighs, smiling both at Ashton and Michael, who was now finished with the comic.

  "Shit,  I gotta go," He smiles apologetically. "And Ashton?"

  "Yeah?" Ashton says, elbowing Michael in the ribs when he poked Ashton's cheek. Luke steps towards the door and puts one hand on it.

  "Please text me this time."

  "Okay," Ashton agrees, scowling when Michael shoves him off the chair. He stands up, cheeks red. Luke snickers and walks out. Two seconds later he walks back in.

  "I forgot to ask you something," Luke says. Ashton snorts.

  "Fire away," He giggles, sitting back down on the chair. Ashton watches as Luke pauses, possibly having a mental debate on whether or not he should ask his question. He waits patiently until Luke takes in a deep breath.

  "Will you go on a date with me?"