Collision || Luke Hemmings

I'll be fine

The room was spinning as I sat there. I was completely numb- just like I had been since Ashton told me the truth. I really didn't know how to feel. I was torn because for one thing everything finally made sense, but for another I was more hurt than I would have liked to admit.

Connor was rambling on in front of me, and from what I was picking up it was all good things. But I couldn't actually process what he was saying. Why did he have to call her in here? Why did she have to hear those songs?

This was our biggest chance to finally make it, and I really didn't want to mess it up. But he just had to call in the only person in the world that could mess this up for me.

And the way she looked at me when Want You Back finally started playing. My eyes were glued to her the entire time, no matter how hard I tried to look away from her I just couldn't. The last person I wanted to hear these songs was her, but she was also the only reaction that I wanted to see. The second he called her in was the second I didn't care what he thought about my songs. I just wanted to know what she thought about them.

She probably thought I didn't noticed the way she stared intently at the ground instead of me. Or the way she held her hands in fists so tightly that I knew she would leave little nail indents on her palms. She also probably thought that I couldn't see her shaking in her seat, and I'm sure no one else could... but I could.

But the way she looked at me when the last song started... right before she ran out of the room, sucked all the air out of my lungs. She had looked so conflicted, much like I felt.

"Hey, Luke?" I was snapped out of my head as someone's hand landed on my shoulder. I felt bad for not paying attention to the conversation, but there wasn't anything I could do about it.

"Yeah, sorry, I'm just feeling a bit under the weather." I mumbled, looking over at Calum
before meeting Connor's gaze once more.

"You're all right, son." The balding man in front of us spoke softly, giving me a small smile. "I love the demo. Leah loves the demo." He said, gesturing to the dark haired girl behind him. "I would love it if you guys could come play a few songs live for our executive board."

"We would be honored, sir." Ashton spoke up, excitement clear in his voice.

"Great! Would you guys be able to come in tomorrow morning? Say around 11?"

"That sounds perfect." Calum said, glancing at me sideways. I knew they were all wondering if I would actually be able to perform tomorrow... but even I didn't know if that would be a good idea.

"Awesome! I'll pencil you guys in and see you lads tomorrow, yeah?"

"Thank you so much, sir. This means a lot
to all of us." Ashton spoke fast, standing quickly
to shake his hand. I watched as he shook Michaels hand next, followed by Calum before holding his hand out to me. I took it slowly, forcing a smile for the man who could actually sign us.

"Now if you don't feel too well tomorrow just call and let me know, we can reschedule." He said to me, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at my
bloodshot eyes. Damn Alli for getting in my fucking head.

"Don't worry, sir, I'll rest all night and be good to go in the morning."

"That's what I like to hear." He chuckled, walking us out of his office and back towards the lobby. I had to force myself to keep my eyes down, afraid that I would see her again if I looked up.

"Thanks for coming. I'll see you tomorrow." Were the last words the old man said before we were walking out of the building.

I was pulled in for a group hug as soon as the doors were closed behind us. I could hear the boys cheering and talking about how excited they were, which is how I should have felt. We spent years trying to get in with a label, and now we were one step away from being signed. But I couldn't focus on literally any of that.