Unlikely

"well this fucking hurts"

the next day

Luke

The hospital is fucking loud

That was the only thought that was going through my head as they reset Ashton's nose. The hospital is really fuckin loud. There's people screaming and crying and begging and all this other shit like monitors beeping and doctors talking. It's really loud.

"Well this fucking hurts," Ashton walked back into the room, holding his nose. "You broke it so good, Lukey." He clapped me on the back and sat next to me on the uncomfortable chair. The small room where the doctor told us to wait is uncomfortable and tiny.

"Ashton Irween? And friend Luke Hemmings?" The doctor walked in, plopping down beside his desk and setting his clipboard down.

"It's IrWIN. You know, like you win a game?" Ashton snapped at the doctor.

"Oh. Please, forgive me." The doctor replied sarcastically.

"Yeah whatever. How long do we need to be here?"

"I need family to come and sign you out." The doctor replied sharply. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm his cousin. Where do I sign?" I reached for the clipboard, only to have the doctor pull away from me.

"You said you were his friend. How do I know you aren't lying?"

"I lied the first time. Just let me sign?" I stepped towards him menacingly. He leaned back, frightened.

"O-ok. Sign here," I took the pen and scribbled on the page. "A-and here," I scribbled again. "And here l-last." I just squiggled a line and threw the pen down, leaving the room with Ashton.

"Excuse me! Gentlemen, you can't just leave!" A nurse frantically called after us.

"I can do whatever the fuck I want." Ashton retorted as we walked through the doors and into the hot Australian summer. Getting in the car, I turned to him.

"Where do you wanna go?" He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.

"Let's go to Michael's. Maybe we can practice SLSP." Ash started the car and we drove off, taking the main road to Michael's. Pulling into the driveway, Ashton's eyebrows furrowed. "Who's car is that?" He asked, pointing to a small black Audi sitting in the driveway.

"Dunno. Let's find out." I opened my door and walked up the porch steps, letting myself in. "Hey Mike! It's Luke and Ash! Where you at?"

"Upstairs!" I heard a faint reply from his bedroom. I took the stairs two at a time, jogging to his room. I opened the door and saw Michael and him.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Ashton had caught up with me and was looking over my shoulder. Michael looked at...Chris? before shoving us into the hallway.

"Guys, please be nice to him. He's going through some shit with his girlfriend, and-"

"He's straight?" Michael was interrupted by Ashton laughing hysterically. "I'm sorry, but there's no way that kid isn't gay. No fuckin way." Michael shoved his shoulder before storming back into the room.

"Dude, cut it out. This kid is special to Mike so we should try to respect him." I looked pointedly at Ashton, who straightened up and put a sober expression on his face.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's get back in there." His sudden response and cooperation startled me, but I followed him nonetheless.

Back inside, Ashton was sitting down at his drums and I picked up my guitar, turning up the amp to tune it.