anorexia//an anthony reeves fanfic

Chapter Sixteen

Griffin's POV 

When I lifted Ashley into my arms, I couldn't believe how frail she was. How did I not notice before? I should have paid more attention to her. This wouldn't have happened if I wasn't so selfish all the time. 

I made downstairs with her in my arms, and everyone trailing behind us, just as the ambulance pulled up. 

"I'm here brother, so I should be the one in the ambulance. You guys stay back and go to Playlist, we don't want to disappoint the fans. I will update you guys as soon as I can," I told everyone as two paramedics rushed into the house with a gurney. 

"Is this her?" The paramedic asked me. 

"Yes, she wouldn't wake up this morning so we don't know exactly how long ago she went unconscious. She has had anorexia and bulimia nervosa in the past," I explained to them as they took Ashley's limp body from me, strapping her onto the stretcher.

"Seems she has a lot of friends," the paramedic looked at all of us. "We only have room for two in the ambulance." 

Anthony immediately stepped up next to me as we trailed behind the paramedics. 

I really hope everything is okay. 

Anthony's POV 

Griffin and I  have been waiting here for about an hour, and haven't gotten any news yet. 

"Should we tell them in the groupchat that we haven't heard anything yet?" Just as Griffin was about to respond, a doctor came into the waiting room. 

"Relatives of Ashley Noah?" Griffin and I stood up and walked over to the doctor, she then brought us into a private room. "Please sit. I'm Meredith Grey, currently the main doctor on Ashley's case. Ashley is currently stable and in the ICU, however we will move her to the recovery floor soon. There are a few things I would like to discuss with you before you can visit her; It has come to my attention that Ashley is clearly malnourished and has an extremely weak heart. In addition, she has what is called lanugo, which is a type of soft, furry hair that grows on the arms and legs when the body no longer has enough energy to adequately heat the body. All of these things are very common signs of an eating disorder, specifically Anorexia. The paramedics informed us that you mentioned she has had a past with mental illness, and it is safe to say she has fallen into those habits again."

I didn't even realize I was tearing up until I felt the saltiness of my tears hit the corner of my mouth. How could this happen? And why would she do this? Ashley is the most beautiful girl I have ever met. She is perfect in every way. The fact that she has an eating disorder is tearing me up inside. I can't even imagine how she feels. 

"There are options that we can discuss, but would you like to see her first?" 

"Yes, yes. Absolutely!" I nodded my head aggressively, but then realized Griffin has stayed silent this entire time. 

"Before you see her, I should warn you that she has NG tube and it may be hard to see her with it. Not only that, but when she wakes up and realizes she has it, we can't predict how she will react. She may be angry, sad, frustrated, and she may not want to see you. I don't want either of you to take it personally, but patients with NG tubes, especially ED patients, have a really hard time allowing their loved ones to see them with it. Please, don't take it personally if she doesn't want to see you." 

I only nodded in response, afraid if I open my mouth to speak I will start crying. 

Griffin looked devastated, for obvious reasons. We followed Dr. Grey into the ICU and to Ashley's room. 

When we got to the room, Dr. Grey motioned us inside, but she waited in the hallway. 

Ashley started to wake up , and when she saw me, her demeanor changed completely. 

"Get out," she said quietly. I looked up, unsure of what to say. "Get out! Both of you, I don't want anybody in here. Please," Her voice broke, and tears fell from her eyes silently. 

"We just want to be here for you," Griffin offered. 

"Yeah, well I am perfectly capable here without you. I don't want to see you right now. Leave, and tell Jaden I need him." I felt hurt, betrayed, and, as selfish as it is, jealous that she wanted Jaden. 

Griffin and I left the room, glossy eyed, and Griffin pulled out his phone; I am assuming to call Jaden. 

Jaden's POV 

"the Uber is here to take us to the venue. We are already late and we don't want the fans to be suspicious of anything. Let's go," Mads said sadly. Everyone was worried about Ashley, but I a completely torn up. I knew about this, and I didn't do anything to help her. 

"You guys go, I think I will leave later." They nodded and left without me. 

I grabbed my wallet and phone, ready to go anywhere but the event. How could I act happy when Ashley is seriously ill? 

Just as I walked out the door I got an incoming call from Griffin. I picked up on the first ring, nervous for what news he had on Ashley. 

"Is Ashley okay?" 

"She is stable for now and in the ICU. She is allowed visitors but is extremely fragile. She won't let Anthony or I see her. She's broken, Jaden." His voice cracked, and I felt terrible for him. Unsure of what to say, I remained silent until he continued. "She says the only person she wants to see is you." 

"I'm on my way."