"Ashton? Can you please grab me my phone? It's in my purse. My earbuds should be attached to it already." I say, pointing to my purse that was sitting on the windowsill. I wince as a sharp pain comes from my ribs.
"Yeah, of course." He says, already standing. He grabs my phone, taking a second to search for my earbuds. He turns around, unable to find my earbuds.
I take my phone, saying a quick thank you. I look up as the door opens, hoping its Michael or Crystal, who had gone out to find food. Instead, in walks Luke and Calum.
"Hey boys, how can I help you?" I ask, trying my best to be polite and not fan girl. Sure, I knew Ashton and Michael, but it's still cool meeting the other boys in person. Fangirling would hurt my ribs.
Calum looks me up and down, taking in my bruises. "Hey darling. What made you take punch for this bozo?" He asks. The light tone to his voice tells me he is being nice, and that I don't need to defend Ashton.
"This bozo started beating up my ex-boyfriend for me." I say, giving Ashton an affectionate smile.
Luke goes to the door, a huge smile on his face. "Hey baby! Yeah, room A39. You can come right in." He talks to his phone, the smile never leaving his face.
Soon, Sierra walks in. Her eyes look puffy, and she has makeup running down her face. Her shirt was covered in roses. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. She looks like Want You Back and Amnesia got together. By the look on Ashton's face, he thinks the same thing.
"Luke, we need to break up. We knew from the start that this could never work, the hate is getting to be too much for me to handle." She says, and I almost get up to punch her.
"But-but Sierra, but- I don't understand." Luke says, his smile gone. "I thought we had this right, Sierra, babe. I don't understand." Luke says, his tears starting to fall.
"Sierra, get out of my room." I say, not wanting to see Luke cry. Sierra walks out, and Calum stops Luke from chasing her.
"Oh my gosh, Rowan! Thank goodness you're alright!" Callie says, running into my room to give me a hug. I hold in a pained gasp when she touches my ribs.
"Yes, I'm fine. Can you go get me a doctor please?" I ask, which she does. I motion for Luke to come here and I make room on my bed for the incredibly tall boy.
"I thought she loved me. I really thought she loved me." Luke cries, soaking my hospital gown. I rub his back and whisper soothing words in his ears, trying to remember what I told myself all those years ago when I didn't know it would get better.
"Luke, why don't you go talk with Calum on the sofa while the doctor checks me out, ok?" I say, and he goes to sit next to Calum on the sofa.
The doctor walks in, her intern trailing behind her with my information. "Hi, my name is Dr. Grey. Do you want them out while we talk about your medicine?" she asks, gesturing to the boys. I shake my head no and she continues. "While you were asleep, we had to do a surgery to put some ribs back into place, which would explain the pain in your ribs." I nod, feeling the bandages under my gown. "You should be good to go home tomorrow." Dr. Grey, says, smiling happily.
"Thank you so much!" I thanked her. She instructs me on how to take my meds for my ribs and then leaves, the intern following behind.
"Why did you look nervous when she was telling you about the medicine?" Ashton asks, looking worried.
I close my eyes and sigh, willing myself to not cry. "When I was 14-"
"I got food!" Michael walks in with Crystal, interrupting my story. I silently thank him as he hands me the McDonalds.
Ashton smiles, accepting his food. "You got us Macca's? Awesome!" He says, thanking Michael. Luke picks at his fries, not really eating much. Calum eats quickly, and Michael gives him a look.
Ashton crawls into the bed with me and steals a couple of my fries. I shoot him a dirty look before taking a few back when he isn't looking. "You're not very sneaky." Michael says, and I jump, making everyone laugh.
"I was until you said something." I say, slightly annoyed with him.
Once everyone is finished eating, a doctor tells them that visiting hours are over. "Please? I don't have anyone except for them. Please let them stay." I beg, already feeling the tears threatening to pour over.
"I'm sorry, but they can come visit you tomorrow. Visiting hours start at nine." Dr. DeLuca says, not letting up.
Ashton walks out and DeLuca follows, and I hear them talking. They're just quiet enough where I can't make out what they're saying, but the looks being thrown around the room make it known that the boys do.
Ashton walks back in. "Only one of us can stay." The rest of the boys and Crystal start packing up and cleaning up garbage before promising to come visit me tomorrow.
"Do you want to finish what we were talking about earlier or watch some tv until we fall asleep?" Ashton asks, and I make room on the bed beside me.
"I want to finish telling you, and then we can watch tv." I say, and Ashton smiles.
"Ok." He whispers.
"When I was 14, my parents and I got into a fight. I already lived in a broken home. My mom and dad divorced when I was little, my mom remarried when I was seven. I began to think of my stepdad as more of a dad because my biological dad was really crappy. I hated him- still do." I ignore the tears running down my face. "My stepdad and I got into a fight. I don't even remember what it was about. That night I- I stole some pills from the cabinets. I snuck back to my room." I say, sobbing by now. Ashton pulled me onto his lap and I cried into his shoulder.
"I- I went to sch- school a- and I told my friend." I say.
Ashton wraps his arms around me, holding me tight. "It's ok love, it's ok." He says, rubbing my back.
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Author's Note: I was reading an article about Ashton and I had remembered reading that he struggles/struggled with depression and anxiety. I got curious so I searched it up. This article made me cry. Rowan's attempted suicide story? That's my story. That is how I attempted to end my life in September of 2019. Please be nice.
Ashton's Story: myhero.com/A_Irwin_rchs_US_2016
It made me cry
YOU ARE READING
Try Hard
Fanfiction"I play guitar, but she's into drummers!" I blush as I look at Ashton, our eyes catching in the crowd.
