Imprinted → lashton [book one]

2.3

A/N: This one's a tear jerker. For me, at least. I'm sorry for what I've done bye.
-
Ashton's P.O.V.
"I got here as quick I could, is he alright?" I was shaking. My dad was standing behind me since he had to drive me. I cried all the way here. "They don't know yet." Michael whispered from his chair. Luke paced in front of the double doors, not saying a word to me.

It was 6 p.m. on a Wednesday, you would think the A&E(ER) in the hospital would be more crowded than me, Luke, Michael, Calum's mom, and my dad. But, nope. We were the only people. "He's in surgery." Luke mumbled, looking through one of the small windows in the door. He looked like he was going to cry. Calum was his best friend. I know this was a huge risk to Calum's life. Calum could die tonight. I almost started crying again.

"How did the wreck even happen?" I ask, sitting next to Michael. He let out a sudden, loud sob before covering his face.

"I was driving him home from school," He mumbled, wiping his eyes. "The light turned green, I swear." He whispered, tucking his head into his knees that were now pulled up to his chest. "A car ran straight into the passenger side, I'm surprised it didn't kill him instantly. He screamed then it's like everything went silent." I looked at Calum's mother, who looked vacant. Her eyes glossed with tears.

A doctor walked out after minutes of silence. Luke looked at him instantly, questionably. "It looks like it's your friend's decision now. We're going to put him in ICU, I'm sorry."

-

We didn't leave. Carsyn came in that night while some people were sleeping. The doctor hasn't spoken to us in a few hours now. Luke was now sat next to me, his hand holding mine. His lips were parted, his eyes shut. Light snores left his mouth every now and then.

"He's in ICU." I mouthed to her. She covered her mouth, walking over to me before sitting by me. I fell asleep soon after that, head resting on Luke's.

In the morning, I woke up with Luke still sitting next to me. Carsyn was gone now, Michael was still asleep. Calum's mother had spent the night in ICU. More people had walked in by now.

"Morning, baby," Luke muttered, kissing my head. "Mornin'." I mumbled back. "Any updates?"

Luke sighed, his free hand running through his hair, his other one was still holding my hand. "His pupils were reacting to light earlier." He replied, "That's good."

We sat there in silence for a good hour, neither of us talking. People from school who we didn't even know walked in to get updates on Calum. The doctor assured us that death wasn't likely in this situation, but isn't impossible. They were moving him back into a regular room since his vital signs were okay now.

Luke, Michael, Carsyn, and I walked to his room an hour after they moved him. There he was, lying lifeless on the bed. Tubes were connected to him all over, an IV was deep in his arm. Tape was over his eyes for some reason, scars were all over his face.

Luke let out a sob, hiding his face in my shoulder. I was weak, my legs were shaking. The third person who accepted me for me, was lying there, a machine keeping him alive.

"Fuck." Michael stuttered out. Carsyn was crying in Michael's arms. Luke walked next to Calum's bed, before pulling up a chair next to him, he took his hand.

"Do you want to be alone? To talk to him?" I asked softly, causing Michael and Carsyn to look at him. "Ashton, can you stay?" He whispered. I nodded. Michael and Carsyn left after that. I sat in a chair at the foot of Calum's bed, deciding to stay quiet. Luke after a few moments finally started his words softly.

"Calum," he whispered. "I'm so sorry that I wasn't appreciative if you. I'm so sorry I didn't show you how much you meant to me. The nicest thing I've done to you in the past few years is go with you to meet Carsyn. I blow you off all the time for stupid shit. I lie, I ignore your text, and I'm so fucking sorry. I love you," he glances at me. "As a friend. If you don't make it, and fuck, I hope you do, I'm sorry. And I care about you."

I was crying again. Luke was too, his teardrops were landing on Calum's tan skin. Luke stood up, gently putting Calum's hand by his side. "Can we go?" He whispered, pushing the chair back, walking out of the room. "See you later, Calum." I mumble, chasing after him.

"Luke," I whisper at him, as he walks down the long hallway. He doesn't stop walking. "Luke!" He stops walking before turning around sharply. "I don't want to talk about it." He snaps, tears still running down his face.

"Luke.." I whisper.
"I said I don't want to talk about it!" He yelled at me. I groaned as he starts walking away again. "Then what do you want to talk about?" I fire back, causing some of the nurses to turn to look at us. Luke clawed at his hair, I tried to keep my body relaxed as my fists clenched. "Possibly something off the topic of my best friend dying?" He screamed at me. I sighed, taking a step towards him, "Luke."

"You don't understand how I'm feeling right now!" He continued screaming.

"Listen to me!" I yelled. He stopped talking instantly. "Boiling up your feelings only makes it worse." I told him, sighing.

"That's cool, I don't give a fuck." He snapped.

That's when I broke.

"This need to take a break."
"What does?" He fired back sarcastically.
"Us."
That made him quiet, all he did was let out a small, "No.."

"Listen, Luke," I started myself, trying to keep my anger inside. "I'm sorry you didn't get into the UNI you wanted to get into, I'm sorry you're upset, and I'm so sorry Calum's hurt, but that does not mean you can take it out on me. I'm not your puppet, nor your toy. We're done right now, Luke. Call me when you grow up."

And I left, walking back towards Calum's room. My fingernails were now piercing my palms as tears ran down my face.

He didn't chase after me.
-
Calum woke up a week after everything happened. He had trouble walking, so he had to be in physical therapy for the next few months. Other than that, he was doing okay.

Luke hasn't been to school since we broke up. He's only been talking to Calum, since he knew we weren't together when I went to see him. I had to tell Michael though. He was only worried about what this would do to our emotional stability. I chose the right best friend.

He invited me over every day after school to play video games and get my mind off things. When I wasn't with him, I was spending time with Calum in the rehab centre which he has to stay in for a few months.

-

My dad walked into my room when Michael was over one day, a huge smile on his face. "What's up?" I asked, he threw a big, yellow envelope at me. I pick it up off my lap and almost screamed. Manchester University was written on the label on which it came from.

"Well, open it!" Michael screamed, turning off the TV. So I did.

I pulled out a smaller envelope, a packet, and a map off the school. I opened the small envelope which had a letter inside. I read it out loud:

"Ashton Irwin,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into our university. With your incredible grades, we are proud to have you as a member of our school fall of next year.
Congratulations,
Manchester University."

Michael climbed on the bed and hugged me. "Congrats, you dumbass!" He yelled. My father also congratulated me, also telling me my mother would be proud.

I almost called Luke to tell him the news, before remembering what happened. I've been doing that every day, and that unfriendly reminder kicked me in the ass.

Luke has started going to school again, but he's been wearing his varsity jacket, and walked around with Carter and Andrew all the time now. It's like I never even played a role in his life.

Calum assured me Luke hasn't changed at all, and he really does miss me.

But, surprisingly, I'm finding it hard to miss him.