traumatized minds, luke hemmings

back to school fever.

In the span of two weeks, a multitude of things had happened.

Charlie had finished her first day and week of school, constantly complaining about the amount of homework she had each night. She had said to Luke one night, "This is the amount an office worker would have to do! I'm clearly not an office worker, I'm 16!"

She had also finished her second week, which was way worse due to the amount of studying she had to do. She had mentioned to Ashton, "Can't you talk to the teachers? You're a doctor, make me a 504 plan."

Charlie had joined the baseball team with Monroe, and she had started buying her uniform and own bat and gloves— Luke had exclaimed how excited he was.

She had talked more to that kid from the office, Theo, and it turns out he's an office TA for two periods— he was a junior.

And last, she was catching the back to school cold.

She had noticed the sore throat and stuffy nose the moment she got up out of bed the morning of Monday, but did not tell anyone.

She went to school, wearing her hood and keeping her head down. She sneezed nearly twenty times, she had snot on her sleeve, and was feeling like complete shit. Which is why, when she appeared at baseball practice, the coach told her to go home.

"I feel like shit," Charlie mumbled to herself as she walked down the sidewalk, nearing her lovely home located on the next street over.

When she arrived home, Ashton instantly noticed something wrong.

"Hey babe," He said cautiously as he watched Charlie open the door and close it, rubbing her sleeve against her nose. "How come you're home early?"

"Coach sent me home." Charlie said, sitting down on the stool.

Ashton raised his eyebrow at the sight of a very pale Charlotte. He instantly dropped what he was doing and pressed the back of his hand against her forehead. "Fuck, babe, you're burning up."

"It's not a big deal," Charlie said, moving her head away from his hand.

"Um, it is a big deal." Ashton insisted. "Why did you go to school today if you most likely felt like crap?"

Charlie frowned. "I was studying."

"Your health is more important than a dumb study session." Ashton claimed, grabbing a washcloth from the cabinet and putting hot water soaked in it. "Here,"

Charlie pressed it against her forehead and sneezed. Ashton gave her a tissue and picked up his phone.

"Angel," He mumbled to Charlie. "Go change into pajamas. Take your backpack and things upstairs while I call Luke."

Charlie nodded tiredly and trudged right up the staircase and into her bedroom as Ashton called Luke. On the second ring, Luke mumbled into his phone. "Hello?" He said.

"Luke, mate," Ashton exhaled. "Charlie's got the back-to-school fever."

Ashton listened as Luke let out a long, tired sigh. "I was hoping it would pass her."

"Well, it didn't." Ashton chuckled. "Our girl looks miserable."

Ashton could hear the frown Luke got on his face. He listened as the sound of moving echoed through the phone. "I am on my way home. Can you make her some chicken noodle soup? I bet her throat is killing her."

"Sure. See you in 10 minutes, mate."

Ashton hung up the phone and set it on the kitchen counter, turning around and beginning Charlie's chicken noodle soup.

Luke arrived home 10 minutes later, throwing his things down on the couch and rushing up the staircase. He knocked on Charlie's door, hearing a muffled 'come in' and the rasp in her voice made Luke worry.

"Darling?" Luke mumbled, opening the door.

He saw Charlie laying face first on the bed, with multiple blankets overtop of her and a hoodie captivating her body. He laughed sympathetically. "I hear you've got a fever?"

"Mhm," Charlie slurred.

"Can I feel your forehead, angel?"

Charlie rolled over and Luke scanned her face. Her eyes were irritated, and slightly swollen, her face was flushed, and she looked exhausted. Luke brought his hand up to check her forehead, confirming that she had a fever.

"You're not going to school for a few days, alright?" Luke brought her into a tight hug. "I won't force you. I'll write you a doctor's note. I had Ashton make you chicken noodle soup, how about we go eat some?"

"Thank you, Luke." Charlie smiled through her tiredness.

"Always."