Resistance • l.h.

Sixty Eight

It's been three days. Three hellish days that I've had to drag my zombie-like body to school, and to the hospital every afternoon, where I'd finish up the little homework I had. It's also been three days since I've heard from Calum. I guess he kept his word.

Ashton was doing his homework next to me, face scrunched up in concentration. Currently, he was wearing his glasses, chewing on the side of his pencil. I smiled inwardly, because I didn't have the energy to show it, but I was beyond grateful for such an amazing person in my life.

I scooted closer to him, hooking my arm around his and cuddled my head into the crook into of his neck.

"Thank you," I whispered and he didn't even move as he asked, "For what?"

"You don't need to be here. You don't need to do anything, really, but you're still here beside me. I don't deserve you."

Ash put down his text book and leaned his head on top of mine, covering my cold hand with his large warm one.

"Yeah, you do."

I didn't bother arguing with him. Instead I just listened to the even sound of his breathing and began dozing off, since I haven't been able to rest without Luke at night. Before I could fall completely asleep, I suddenly I felt Ashton stir next to me, getting up onto his feet.

"He's up," he told me, voice full of urgency.

As soon as the words got through my head, I froze, immediately feeling my heart thumping against my ribs. I slowly stood up, having to tell myself to put one foot in front of the other. I paused outside of the door, staring at it like an idiot.

What if he doesn't remember me? What if he doesn't love me anymore? What if he's actually not okay?

Thousands of thoughts drilled into my head at once, looking back at Ashton who just stood there with a patient smile. With a shaky hand, I opened the door, to see Luke staring at the TV dully, holding his arm up to change the channel.

"Dumbass thing. When do I get out of here?" he said frustratedly, hitting it when it wouldn't respond. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

"Luke?" I asked, voice cracking, and he turned around to meet my face.

His eyes widened. "Cami?"

I felt my feet move underneath me and my arms flinging around his neck, and he chuckled from under me. I soaked in the sound of his voice, breathing in his existence.

"Don't you ever leave me again, you hear me? I can't fucking take that," I sobbed pathetically into his shoulder as he ran his fingers through my hair, something that I was afraid he was never going to do again.

The emotional rug in which I swept all my feelings under for the past few days, pretending that they don't exist, came bursting back out, demanding to be felt.

"Angel, shh," he cooed, kissing me on my forehead, my cheek, covering my face with his lips. I shook with delight at the sensation.

"But you're going to have to stop hugging me so tight, my stomach still hurts," Luke said, his voice starting to sound uncomfortable and I let go of him instantly, stepping three steps away from him.

"God, I can't believe you're okay," I breathed, still itching to touch every part of his beautiful body. But I knew people were watching, and I was technically still his stepdaughter, no matter how much I denied it. Not to mention he was still in pain.

"Honestly, I can't believe it either. The doctor said I had a 30% chance of making it out alive. I even stopped breathing for a whole minute. I guess that's the good luck I get for saving someone I love, right?" He tried to joke, but it came out as a bitter truth, and I had to bite down on my lip to stop crying again.

"Too soon?" He whispered, when he saw my reaction.

I gave him a small nod and he motioned for me to come over to him again.

"You were dead for a whole minute," I said softly, my hands on either side of his face, taking in every detail. "I really did completely lose it. I went into the room and cried for you... And you came back."

He looked at me in surprise, but then shook his head and gave me a slight grin. "My body, mind, and soul all belong to you, even when I'm not conscious."

I blushed at his words. "I'm terrified at the idea of losing you," I admitted.

"You're so beautiful, my Angel," he said softly and I wanted to melt into his arms and never leave. I inhaled sharply and let it out quickly as his lips came into contact with my forehead.

My angel.

Luke grabbed a fistful of my shirt, tugging me weakly toward him, and I had to laugh through my tears. This entire situation was surreal.

"Just don't crush me," he said, giving me a wink before connecting our lips quickly.

Yayyyyyyyyyyy he's alive lmao. But yeah there's still more to come. Vote and comment!