Static Sound (Muke)

twenty four

// twenty four // luke //

I hadn't come out of my room for days. I didn't mind it, I'd hid enough snacks in there from time to time to keep me from starving, and there was also a bathroom in the room I stayed. I made of games to do to occupy myself. Mum never even checked up on me, she just assumed I was still here and still alive.

At maybe 6:30 that night, right as the sun was going down, the doorbell rings. Typically the doorbell rings because of neighbours asking for something or solicitors, so I ignored it. Earlier that day, I heard Mum coughing her lungs out in the kitchen, she sounded pretty sick. So of course, she shouted my name with her raspy ragged voice to go get it from her bedroom where she'd been sleeping all day and relaxing.

I shouted back 'No', but she threatened me a bit until I finally unlocked my door and went to answer it. I dragged myself out of the bedroom, slouching as I crossed the apartment to answer the door. My eyes hurt, so they didn't quite open all the way and when I opened the door I just told whoever it was to go away, we didn't want what they we're selling. I didn't even look whoever it was in the face, I was so mad I didn't care to see anyone. I started shutting the door when it was stopped.

"Luke?"

I looked up. "Ashton!" Right when I yelled, I regretted it because I was near sure that Mum heard. But I ignored that I ran into him, wrapping my arms around him and beginning to cry. I couldn't believe it, it must've taken forever for him to get all the way here from Melbourne, he made my heart beat again by wrapping his arms around me and rubbing my back.

He seemed ecstatic to see me too, closing his eyes to hold in his tears.

"What are you even doing here?" I ask once he pulls away from the hug.

"I've come to get you, I'm taking you home, Luke." He smiles ear to ear. I look back to Mum's bedroom, she hasn't come out of yet.

I couldn't believe my ears. I was finally going home. "I'll go get my stuff." I jump around, not being able to hold still because everything is happening so fast and I'm so fucking happy.

"Wait, wait, Luke, where's Mum?"

"In her bedroom," I point, on my way to my own room. It was easy to pack, because I hadn't unpacked in the first place.

Ashton starts walking back to where I pointed, but just before he reaches for the door I stop him. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I have to talk to her, just hold on.."

"Ashton, you can't tell her, it'll be better to just take me, she doesn't pay attention to me anyways! Let's just go.."

"No, I'm not just gonna take you. I'm going to be responsible for once. Trust me, I know what I'm doing.."

I stop him. He always says he knows what he's doing, but he always seems to fuck it up anyway. "No, stop. Listen to me, we should just leave right now-"

Trying to be as quiet as possible, his muscles get tense and facial expression gets stern. "Luke, for once in my life I know exactly how to make things right. Wait here while I fucking save your ass, got it?"

He doesn't wait for a reply. He opens the door to her bedroom and walks right in. I watch from where she can't see me, but I still have perfect sight of both of them.

"Ashton?" She yells, scrambling out from under the sheets. She sounds horrible, she really was sick.

"Hi, Mum." I can't even imagine how she feels. She hasn't seen Ashton's face since he was 13, he's so much different at the age of 18. I can't picture not being able to see my children grow up.

He holds his act together and acts as mature as ever. "What the hell are you doing here?" She asks, getting all the way out of bed and stepping onto the floor. He is so much taller than her, he looks down upon her as he speaks.

"I'm here for Luke, I'm taking him home."

"Home? Ashton, this is his home." She laughs.

"Not when you treat him the way you do, and I'm taking him where he belongs."

"You can't do that, you can't just take him away from me.." Mum raises her voice.

"Really? Because that's exactly what I'm going to do.." He says like it's obvious, folding his arms.

My mother gets mad real easy, and by now she was on her way to furious. "Ashton, I took him away because you aren't responsible. You aren't someone who is able to care for a young boy like him.."

"No, Mum, you took him away from me because you were lonely. You took him away because you couldn't stand the fact that we were living it up while you were stuck here waiting for your life to happen. I'm sorry to say it, but you cannot hold him hostage like you are! That's not what a growing 15 year old needs.. he needs his friends, Mum. And I realise that you miss him, I realise that you are so attached and regret what you've done. But what happened, happened, and there's no going back on it, you can't change the past. I've come to my senses by realising that, and my past isn't going to change. I'm always gonna be the wasted 17 year old that simply fucked up. But you know what, just because I messed up doesn't mean that I can't change, and that's what I'm doing. I'm changing, and I'm taking Luke home. I'm taking him home because you aren't willing to change, and until that happens neither of us is going to be happy. So just hear what I'm saying and know that he's in good hands."

Ashton was out of breath from raising his voice at her. Mum stares at him for a second, her fists get real tight and she bites her lip. "That's not what I want, I want him here with me.."

It was like she heard and understood nothing, she was just ignoring what he had to say.

"It doesn't matter what you want! I hate telling you this, but it's too late for you to make things better! But it's not too late for Luke! It's about Luke, Mum! Why don't you hear me out and understand what I'm trying to tell you?!" This would usually be the point where Ashton lost his temper, but he's doing really well this time and staying as chill as possible.

Mum takes a deep breath. It's silent for a very long time, I'm still watching behind the door with my head against the frame.

"I love you, but it's time you take a break, alright?" Ashton uses a soft voice.

She nods, looking as she's about to cry. "You're right."

He was right. He had a good point, listing out all of the things that were good for me. I was hoping that she'd take it, remembering all the times Ashton didn't mess it up. You know, he wasn't a jerk all the time when he was smaller. He's a sweet kid, with a bright mind that just hadn't figured out how to use. But right now, I couldn't be more proud of what I was hearing.

"Come here," Ashton says, opening his arms and bringing her into his chest. She sobbed on his shoulder, sad that it was true and she needed to let go.

They hugged for awhile, whispering kind words into each others ears until my mum eventually pulled off and smiled. She wiped her eyes and looked him right in the eyes. "You've grown up so much," She sobs. "I can't believe what a man you've turned into.."

Ashton laughs. They have their moment until my mum notices me, and walks out of the room. At first she looks angry, but the anger turns to sorrow and hugs me too. I hadn't hugged my own mother in over 5 years, and honestly this felt really good. I hugged her back.

She leaned down to my height and put her hands on my shoulders. "Listen, don't let anybody stop you from doing what you love. If you want to be in this band, then you rock the fuck out of it. Got that?" Her eyes light up as I nod, putting my forehead against hers and laughing.

Mum kisses me on the nose and sends me into my room to pack. I couldn't believe that I was actually going home.

Home.