Out of Bounds || Ashton Irwin Fanfic

Chapter 14: Landslide

They say bad things happen in threes. I had never experienced it first hand before and always assumed it was superstition. Ashton had called things off with me two days ago now and to make matters worse, on that same day I had knocked a cup of tea on to my laptop and lost all my previous work. But the third thing was by far the worst...

"Dad?" I squinted through the darkness to read my clock. It was 3:32am.

"A, you need to get back here as soon as you can"

"What's wrong?" I asked, frantically. My heart was pounding as I jumped out of bed to switch on the light.

"It's your mum"

No. No. No. Please God let her be okay.

"She's been rushed into hospital with pneumonia. Her body is too weak to fight it at the minute. They've got her on a breathing machine but if she doesn't improve over night... I just- please, Alexa. I need you here. Mum needs you here" dad pleaded with me, he sounded so meek and small. It took all my strength not to break down and cry as I reassured him that I'd be there as soon as possible.

My mind was racing as I threw a couple of things into a bag. I had no idea how to get home at this time in a morning or which hospital she was at but I was going to make it happen no matter what. I had to see her. I had to be with my mum. It was difficult to see things through the tears and I somehow managed to knock off a lamp as I reached across for my shoes.

"Alexa?" Luke yawned, peering from around his door. He rubbed his eyes and stared over at me, as soon as he realised that I had been crying I was in his arms within seconds.

"I have to get my things Luke. I have to go... " I stifled a sob and pushed him away, continuing to pick up some clothes from around the room.

"Alexa, talk to me" Luke grabbed hold of my wrist and pulled me into him again. I allowed it this time, burying my head into his chest and breaking down. "Tell me what's wrong"

"It's my mum. She's in hospital... I don't think she's- I can't say it. Don't make me say it"

"Okay. Okay. Um, well we better sort out some transport" Luke grabbed hold of my face and have me a weak smile. "Get some things together and give me five minutes."

-

Calum wandered into our flat with sleepy eyes and fluffy hair but as soon as he caught sight of the broken mess I had become, he tried to perk himself up.

"Road trip?" He attempted to lighten the mood. I caught a glimpse of Luke shaking his head at him but I appreciated the sentiment and he had crawled out of bed at 4am to drive me home which had won brownie points in my eyes.

"You ready?" Luke asked, picking up my bag and taking hold of my hand. I nodded my head and allowed him to lead me out the flat and down to the car park. I hadn't said a word in over 10 minutes now, I was constantly staring at my phone; anxious for my dad to call. Luke sat in the backseat with me; his arm firmly lodged around my shoulder for comfort. I put my head onto his shoulder and clamped my eyes shut, trying my best to get some sleep. The image of my mum lay in a hospital bed, strapped up to a breathing machine, played on my mind again and again and eventually I gave up on trying to sleep. My chest felt as though it was caving in but I was doing my best to hold it together, acknowledging Calum's attempts to make small talk and giving Luke a weak smile every now again to avoid him asking me 'how I was doing'.

The hospital seemed much bigger than I had remembered. There were floors upon floors of ill and dying people; their family members at their sides to offer support and comfort. On our way up to the ward, I made eye contact with several other visitors, all of which had the same look on their face as I did. Fear.