Night shift - Completed

Chapter 24

Calum's PoV

My head was all over the place. I had no recollection of half the things that had just happen to me but I knew it was bad. Poppy sat there with her head in her hands, trying to calm herself down silently in the corner of the room whilst both Jack and Dave, despite the argument we were having mere moments before, were completely quiet and stood outside the closed door, guarding without saying a word to each other. Ashton was trying to talk to me but he was always the guy that tried to cheer us up in moments of turmoil. I truly respected him for that, yet I began to feel like maybe this wasn't the time for that and that we should have been focussing on whatever had just happened.

"I'm sorry, guys, I'm just going to get some water." Poppy finally said, standing up quickly. I noticed her wobble slightly as she stood and she closed her eyes for a second as if trying to shake a bad feeling. Ashton nodded as she made her way out of the room, not saying another word.

"I'm worried." I tried to voice, but it came out in a whisper. My body really was having a hard time coming to terms with everything that had happened. Ashton looked at me as if he was scolding me, telling me I shouldn't be talking, but resting.

"You're fine now Cal." Ashton soothed over the wrong topic. "Poppy worked on you really well." He patted me on the shoulder.

"That's not what I'm talking about." I said quickly afterwards, looking past Ashton to the door. "I'm worried about Poppy." Ashton's gaze followed mine despite us both knowing she had just left the room a few seconds ago. "I can't recall her eating or drinking anything all night. I'm scared she's working herself too hard and she's going to-" I sucked in a sharp breath and moved myself around on the bed, readjusting my seated position.

"Say no more." Ashton said, holding his hand up to silence me. Without another word, he headed out the door, warning the guards I was alone in the room. The door shut quickly behind him and suddenly I was left in the silence of the room. Strangely, I'd begun to like this room and got accustomed to its white walls and lino floors. Everything was a wipe-clean surface and had a dull shine and reflection where it was clearly beginning to show its age along with how often it had been cleaned. Part of me wondered what it would be like when I finally got home and was on bed rest there without regular interruptions from staff checking my observations, cleaning or giving me my hospital food. Other than the awful time I had with the paparazzi it had been quite refreshing being in here and being treated like a normal guy, which in reality was what I was – plus some fame and fortune.

My thoughts went back to Ashton and what he had said mere moments ago. Poppy worked magic on me, don't give her up. Surely there was no way that I could, mentally anyway, but our jobs and our working lives would mean within weeks I'd be too busy to ever speak with her or see her again. Despite being on 'bed rest' I know I'd be roped into any interviews I could do over Skype or phone call. There would be no rest for me. The others would be helping management re-arrange the tour dates I wouldn't be allowed to make but the moment I'd be signed off and discharged, they'd have me back on stage. I'd be back to my old life and the thoughts and feelings that had caused me to be in this mess to begin with would be with me once again. I mean Michael and Luke still managed to do it, get girlfriends who would stick around even when we weren't there, but I don't know if I've got that patience. If I had someone, I'd want to see them often and make sure I had the time to really show my love to them. I'd hug them and kiss them and we could snuggle up together while we were watching films. I don't want to just text or Skype and never have the physical connection. How would that be possible?

"Hey." I was pulled from my thoughts by Ashton coming back into the room without Poppy. He looked a little downtrodden and worried which instantly made my stomach sink.

"What happened?" I whispered again, my voice still not fully coming back.

"I spoke to Mavis, Poppy wasn't around. Apparently she has a habit of working herself too hard and not eating during shifts and when something doesn't go well, she disappears for a bit. I think you going downhill really got to her." Ashton said sadly, knowing it wasn't what I wanted to hear but at least it was the truth.

"Can you go and find her?" I asked him straight away, urgency in my voice. I didn't want her feeling alone or vulnerable over nothing. She did a fantastic job and when I needed her the most she was there to help and she fixed me. She had nothing to be upset about.

"If it's what you want, Cal, I'll do it." Ashton let out a small smile as he placed a hand on my shoulder. "You know, forgive me if I'm speaking out of turn here, but I think we've finally met a girl who has broken down your walls." I let out as much of a sigh as I could with my chest still feeling sensitive.

"I don't know Ash. It's like I'm fighting with myself over it. I don't know what I'm waiting for to change my mind but I'm still reserved. She's great, but I don't know if I can bring her into the madness that is our lives. I mean Crystal already knew fame on a large scale before so it didn't bother her as much but look at Sierra, it's taken her a while to get used to it despite already having a small fan base." Ashton let out a breath before he carried on our conversation.

"Yeah, But is she still here? Yes. It was a struggle for her but she loves Luke. She wants him and therefore takes everything that comes with him. He's helped her through a lot and we've been supportive of her. She's used to it now." He gave my shoulder a squeeze. "Anyway, let me speak to her. I'll be back in a bit. I'll take Dave with me if that's okay?" I nodded back.

"Just make sure she's okay and make sure no paps are spying on her, you know what Stacey is like."

"Sure thing Mr Protective." Ashton said with a smirk as he saluted me and headed for the door.