Off Ones Rockers II • Lashton

Chapter Thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-three

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"Hey, don't do that, you'll hurt yourself," Clive said, walking close to the blonde who was sat with his legs us to his chin, picking at the skin around his finger and blood coming to the surface.

Alex had informed him of the situation, and he said he didn't mind how long it took. It was his day off, but he was only going to be watching television. He'd rather be here helping people, and this was only a minor task - or it was supposed to be. 

The blonde's therapist had gone to make a couple of calls and asked Clive to inform him is there was any change in his attitude to co-operate, knowing it could take hours with how stubborn the fifteen-year-old was. 

Luke sighed and threw his arms to the floor, and hoisting himself slightly up to sit on them. 

Clive sighed and looked down the corridor, that was empty and dark, the automatic lights having gone out. There was no one about, no one really came down here without needing to. It was generally admin offices and the room where the patients with eating disorders would get weighed, which obviously none of them would willingly make their way down here.

Clive looked back down at the blonde who was watching him and smiled. He liked the blonde. He was pretty sure most people here did. Sure he was difficult at times, but he was polite. Never rude. He thought back to their last meeting when he played a sneaky little game on Sid. He knew that the boy didn't like to be vulnerable during his weigh-ins, but he was always open with him. 

"Luke," Clive asked, a playful ring to his tone. "Alex asked me to call him when you finally agree," he told him, although knowing Luke most likely overheard the conversation. "But I know you don't want him in the room."

Luke looked at the man sceptical, he knew what he was implying and he also knew it was sort of trap. But, it would be easier for him is Alex wasn't in the room, and it was just him and Clive because the younger man was more neutral and kind towards the situation. 

"Shall we do it whilst he's not here?" Clive asked hopefully, seeing the blonde thinking deeply about it.

Luke nodded shyly, but also slightly guilty. "I don't want to get into trouble."

The man shook his head. "I'll tell him it was my idea. I just want to make this as easy for you Luke. None of this is going to be easy on you."

"Thank you," Luke whispered hoarsely, and slowly pushed himself up. He didn't get dizzy anymore - or rarely - but it was a habit he had cultivated and how was part of his daily life.

"Come on then," he said allowing the boy to follow him to the fairly small room. Luke stood awkwardly by the door waiting for a gown that he would usually be given, but Clive was already getting his documents up on the screen.

When he saw the blonde outside still he realised that the boy was expecting routine. "Don't worry about a gown Luke, not today. Just take your shoes off. Unless you want one?" 

Luke shook his head and came in, slipping his shoes off and pushing them against the wall. He looked over at Clive who was playing with his pen patiently waiting for the blonde. "H-how much more weight to I have to gain?" he asked nervously. Luke could feel himself starting to get heavy now and he really wanted to stop. He knew that he was not healthy and didn't quite understand why he had to keep going.

"A bit more yet I'm afraid," Clive explained smiling sadly at the blonde knowing he was struggling. "Right now it might seem way too high, it always does. But, when you reach it, you won't feel too bad about yourself. That's how recovery works Luke. 

Luke didn't look too sure. He was certain that when he left this place he was going to lose weight again. He didn't know how much. Maybe just until there was no fat on his body again.

Clive could still see the doubt and reminded him. "When you first stepped into this room Luke, you would have broken down if you were told you going to weigh how much you do now. But, here you are, and you're not too bothered about it. Have a little faith."

Luke nodded, he guessed he was right. Clive always was, he always knew what was the right thing to say. He assumed that was why he was good at his job. It was almost the perfect job for him, or he had been well trained and educated.

The blonde adverted his gaze over the scale, dying to know how much he weighed. It had been on his mind all week. Knowing that his calorie intake had gone up this week and was going up next - or what he thought not aware of his new treatment plan.

"When you're ready Luke," Clive said gently, knowing the boy was waiting for him to tell him what to do. But, he wanted Luke to take the initiative and step on himself.

It only took Luke a couple of minutes to compose himself before he stepped onto the scale, and watched the man do the same thing he always did and keeping a straight face. He stepped away which was indicative of Luke stepping off, and heading over to put his shoes on.

"Do you want to know?" the man asked, turning around to look at the boy, knowing that he should at least report to Alex the boy's reaction seeing as he was already doing this behind his back.

Luke nodded vaguely. He was waiting for the day where he didn't want to. But he still yearned for the number despite having no control over it. He guesses he just hoped that one day it would decline.

"One hundred-and-nineteen," Clive told the boy. He didn't say anything, knowing any other words or tone could give the blonde the wrong impression. Clive was content with that. It was a considerable amount gained in a week, maybe even too much for his liking, but he was nevertheless growing stronger. 

"That's a lot. That's really heavy," Luke laughed nervously running a hand through his hair. The man was shocked that the blonde had actually said something, usually he left silently.

"Clive? Alex called as he opened the door, a concerned expression of his face, assuming that the blonde had run off as he was not in the corridor still. Nonetheless, he was still confused when he saw the pair in the room. "Is everything okay?"

Luke looked down anxiously at the floor, feeling like he was about to get into trouble.

Clive smiled and nodded at the man. "Sorry, Luke was ready and I think if I got him to wait for you he was only going to change his mind again. We've only just done it though." He handed the man the records with Luke's new data.

Alex looked at the man who still smiled at him, whilst Luke was busy looking at the floor. Alex looked at the box to see if the patient knew their weight, in which Luke did and nodded, giving the piece of paper back.

"How are you feeling Luke?" Alex asked, leaning against the wall.

Luke simply shrugged. He wasn't happy with his weight. And he really wasn't happy this time, unlike the past couple of weeks were he grinned and born it. 

Alex placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, causing Luke to flinch. The therapist was shocked, the blonde had not done that in a while. "It's normal to be upset, Luke. We'd expect nothing less."

Luke looked up at the man, his eyes once again filled with tears. "I'd like to leave now."

"Leave where? Luke I told you, you can't go home-"

"No, just the room. I need to leave the room."

Alex nodded and held the door open. He could tell Luke was struggling and he was not going to be able to take any more emotional torment today. But, he was going to have to take him to Victoria's office. "I know you're tired Luke, but we're going to have to make one last stop today."

"Is it not dinner time?" Luke asked, not wanting to go to either.

Alex nodded. "If you want some later you can. But, we're going to skip dinner today, okay?"

-

Honestly, I never write what I plan, this was supposed to be so much more condensed but hey ho!

Please comment on what you think.

Thank you so much for reading.