Scale

Chapter 13

**Luke**

"You can do this Luke." Calum says and I look at the door and then back to my bandaged arms. I pull my sleeves over the white bandages and push open the door. Ashton is still lying in bed like yesterday but now he's surrounded by his family. Emma is sitting off to the side with Lauren and they're talking quietly as Harry sleeps with his head in Emma's lap. She looks up and shoots me a smile as I turn to Ashton. His mother is holding his hand and staring at him with sad eyes.

"Luke, how are you?" She asks standing and engulfing me in a hug. I hesitantly wrap my arms around her and take a shaky breath.

"I've been better." I mumble and she squeezes me tight before letting go.

"He'll be fine." She says with tears shining in her eyes. I take the seat on the other side of the bed as Calum and Michael sit with Emma and Lauren. The only sound that fills the room for the next three hours is the soft talking of Emma as she consoles Lauren and the soft murmured words between Calum and Michael. I run my thumb over the back of Ashton's hand smiling at how big his hands are. It's nearing midnight when his hand tightens on mine. I pick my head up from the bed and look at his long fingers. They're wrapped around mine tightly and my eyes fill with tears at the sight.

"Anna!" I say and she looks up from her newspaper her eyes falling on Ashton's hand clinging to mine. She leaves to get the doctor and I smile running my thumb over Ashton's knuckles. Dr. Jenner walks in with Anna and he smiles.

"It seems as if Ashton is waking up, the process might take a few days but he should come out of this." Dr. Jenner says as he checks Ashton's vitals. Everyone in the room is smiling as the doctor leaves and I squeeze Ashton's hand tightly. He squeezes back and I press a kiss to his knuckles. He'll be okay.

***

"Luke?" I hear Harry asking and I peel open my eyes. I sit up on the couch looking at Ashton's little brother.

"Yea Bud?" I ask my voice groggy from sleep.

"Ashton's awake." He says his eyes lighting up and I scramble to my feet. Ashton grabs my hand as soon as I'm within arm's reach. I smile as his hazel eyes meet my blue ones and he smiles weakly at me.

"Hey." I say with tears in my eyes he smiles his eyes drooping slightly.

"Hey." He says back staring up at me. I lean down and press my lips to his and he smiles. I pull away and his eyes are closed.

"Love you guys." He mumbles peeling his eyes open again.

"We love you too Ashton." Lauren says her hand wrapped up in Emma's.

"Go back to sleep sweetheart." Anna says and Ashton nods closing his eyes. I smile and take a seat beside his bed our hands still intertwined.

"Mum, I'm tired." Harry says and I look up to see him leaning on Anna.

"We'll take him home." Michael and Calum say and Anna smiles.

"Why don't you all head home, you look like you need some rest." Anna says and I look up.

"I'll stay." I say and Michael looks to me.

"Please Luke, go get some sleep." Anna says and I lean down pressing a kiss to Ashton's hair before walking out of the room. Calum puts an arm around my shoulders and we walk out hailing a cab. When we get back to the flat I head straight to Ashton's room and curl up in the middle of Ashton's bed. I let my eyes drift shut as a small smile finds its way onto my face.

***

"Luke." A soft voice says and I peel open my eyes to see Emma and Lauren.

"Calum ordered pizza." Lauren says and I sit up following them out to the kitchen my hands starting to shake. I look at the greasy pizza on the table and I run from the room. I puke up what little is in my stomach before I start to dry heave. Someone places a hand on my back as I lean my head on the toilet seat sobs shaking my whole body. Someone wipes my mouth and I peel open my eyes to see Emma. She shoots me a small smile and I can see the tears in her eyes.

"You okay?" She asks and I lean against the wall shaking my head. She places her hand on mine and squeezes.

"Why don't you head to your room and I'll bring you something else?" She suggests and I nod standing up. She shoots me a smile and I walk to Ashton's room sitting down on the bed. I pull on one of his sweaters and curl up in the middle of the bed. Emma brings me a cup of tea and an apple, and sits down on the bed.

"You can do it Luke." She says and I take a small bite of the apple. It takes me twenty minutes to finish eating and Emma smiles at me.

"So, are you and Lauren a thing?" I ask trying to get my mind off of my full stomach. She looks up at me a slight blush painting her cheeks.

"Tell me all of the details!" I squeal and she laughs.

"It wasn't that long after you guys left actually. We were sitting on the trampoline at like two am and she asked me if I liked anyone. I told her that I liked her and she kissed me, I was quite shocked actually. I asked her out a few days later." She says a small smile on her face.

"You guys are cute." I say and she smiles.

"Thanks."

"Hey, we're watching a movie care to join?" Calum asks sticking his head in the door and Emma smiles grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the living room.