Ghost Of You *SLOW UPDATES*

Chapter 24

Twist... I'm not dead. Merely overwhelmed with work.
Enjoy.

Connoisseur of Fine Art xx

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The fluoro lights buzz and whir overhead as I walk by, my arm strung up in its sling and my acoustic guitar dangling from my hand in its thick black case. Sauntering through the hall, I find myself leaving the auditorium through the back door and wincing slightly at the change from the darkened rooms to the blisteringly bright light of day. I blink a few times and allow myself to adjust to the light before heaving out a tired sigh and trundling my way to the carpark.

Luke waits there patiently, car keys in hand as he smiles warmly at me and meets me halfway. I instantly find myself smiling with him as he takes the guitar case from me and lays a gentle kiss on my head before leading me to the car. I sit down with a huff and lean back in the seat as he starts the car and drives away from the school.

"How was rehearsal?" He asks gently, turning his attention my way slightly before turning his gaze back to the road. "Terrible. I couldn't do much because I, obviously, can play very little." I grumble in annoyance as I stare out the window.

I see his reflection in the glass window as he nods in response and stays silent, choosing to focus on the road instead. I sigh silently and watch the scenery whizz past as my eyes droop closed and I lay my head numbly against the window, the soft music lulling me into a daze. Soon enough though, Luke shakes my shoulder slightly and alerts me of our arrival home before climbing out and retrieving my guitar from the back seat of the car. I watch him as he slowly walks to the house, waiting for me by the front door.

Gesturing with his other hand that I should come to him, I obey reluctantly and clamber out before wandering towards him lethargically. I approach him silently and he places the guitar case on the ground before engulfing me in a hug to which I only respond to by leaning my head against his shoulder, and looking out towards the seemingly distant sea.

"What's wrong Shay?" He asks, his voice a mere whisper in the wind.

"I'm not going to win this thing if I can't play my instrument Luke. You and I both know that." I sigh, my voice equally as quiet as his own. He doesn't reply right away, but when he does, he says, "There is nothing you can do Shayla. You and I also know that."

My eyes water as I yawn but he quietly suggests we go inside so I can relax. I nod stiffly and go to pull away but he doesn't let me go. Rather, he wraps an arm around my waist and places a kiss on the side of my head before picking up the guitar case once more.

I push the front door open and am greeted to loud shouts of disagreement to which I wince at before taking the guitar from Luke and telling him, "I'm going to take this to the music room. I'll be back in a sec."

He nods his head at me before releasing his grip on my waist to go find what all the yelling is about. I calmly patter towards the music room next to my bedroom, and take the guitar out of its case before placing it on its stand. I release a heavy sigh before walking back out again and towards the still blaring voices in the lounge room.

"What do you mean you used that song?" Luke says angrily, his voice wavering in an attempt to mask his inevitable outburst. "You should know better than anyone that when we recorded it, it would be used for the album." Calum responds with a huff.

I hide out of sight behind a divider wall by the lounge, eavesdropping on their conversation as to ensure that they won't see or hear me coming should I need to intervene.

"But you don't own the song!" Michael yells in response. I can picture that at this time, Ashton is leaning up against the wall, the perfect image of cool calm whilst Michael paces wildly and runs his hands through his hair. Luke is probably leaning against the back of the couch, bracing his arms and tightening his hands to contain his anger whilst Calum lounges on the couch, rolling his eyes at almost every comment.