Heartbreak Girl

Chapter Voodoo Doll

I don't see Calum for the rest of the day. Luke rushes around, making sure I don't want or need anything. I tell him that I'm fine, but he doesn't believe me. He's so protective, but I love him.

Later that day, some of my friends show up. It was so considerate of them to visit. I haven't seen them since last Friday, the day of the party. We spend a few hours together, laughing and talking, like nothing is wrong. But of course that's not true, and of course my sister is the one to acknowledge it.

"Okay, so what happened after Ashton...injured you?" Libby asks, as gently as she can. "Um, well, I was lying there." Dawn and Amethyst laugh, and I smile slightly. "And Michael and Calum came over to me," I continue, more seriously.
"Michael drove us to the hospital, and Calum was trying to comfort me, and he was doing quite well, actually. He was being so lovely. And when we got there, well, all the hospital stuff happened." The girls nod.
"So as soon as I went in, Michael called Luke, and Luke came as quickly as he could." I smile a bit at the memory. "When I could have visitors, Luke rushed in, and he...he told me that he was really sorry that he wasn't there. I think he had been crying. I told him that it was okay, that Calum was there for me. And Calum was kind of standing by the door, and Luke was just like, 'Thank you so much.' And Calum just shrugged, but he was smiling. Then Luke hugged me...and some more stuff happened, but my head hurts and I don't really feel like saying everything."
"You told us practically everything, anyway," Libby says. "Hey!" I exclaim, realising. "I told you all this before!" Libby just laughs. "Well, you told us something, Lauren," Dawn grins, as Amethyst fake-glares at Libby.
"I'm going to go see if our parents want help with anything," Libby informs us. "Bye!" My selfless sister. Always putting others first.
"So, you and Luke!" Amethyst says. I roll my eyes. "What?" "Well, it's exciting!" Dawn says, like it's obvious. "You're perfect for each other!" Amethyst tells me eagerly. I let out a small sigh, but they both notice. "What is it?" Amethyst asks. "Somehow, I managed to make three of the members of 5 Seconds of Summer fall for me," I tell them, quoting Calum. Dawn jumps up. "What?!" she exclaims. "Explain this!"
I tell Amethyst and Dawn about what Calum told me in the park today. I leave out the bit about him saying that, in a way, he was glad I got injured. I don't think the girls would understand it like I do.
The two of them are just in shock for a moment. They glance at each other, then back at me. "If I could change it, I would," I say quickly.  They are silent for another minute. "Well, we always knew you were different, Lauren," Dawn jokes, eventually. I smile.
Someone knocks on the door. "It's me!" Libby calls out. "Come in!" I tell her. She opens the door. "Mom says that the Hemmings are coming over," she announces. "That means we'll have to go," Dawn says sadly. "Thank you for coming!" I say. "Bye!" they say, and they leave.
"Are they coming now?" I ask Libby. "Yeah, they'll be here any minute," she smiles. "Oh, and it's just Lydia, Lina and Ella," she adds. "Not Luke?" I say, surprised. Libby rolls her eyes. "I thought it was obvious that Luke is coming!" she laughs, before leaving my room.

My door is flung open only a few moments later. "LAUREN!" Luke shouts, running over and hugging me as gently as he can. "You saw me earlier, Luke!" I laugh, but I am pleased that he's so excited to see me. "Yeah, but that was ages ago!" He rolls his eyes, and I laugh even more.
Lydia enters next, and she hugs me gently too. Then Lina comes in, dragging a very annoyed Ella. "I'm sorry," she apologises. "But this is the only way I could get her to come."
Ella pulls out of Lina's grasp, walks over beside me, and announces, very clearly, "I'm happy that you're hurt." My thoughts go instantly to Calum, but the situations are very different. Calum was happy out of love, and Ella is happy out of hate.
Lydia looks like she wants to slap Ella, and so does Luke. "You do NOT talk to people like that, Ella!" Lydia scolds her. "Especially people who were pushed down the stairs!"
Ella laughs. "I bet that was funny!" she giggles. "I wish I saw that!"
Tears start to form in my eyes. I shouldn't let her comments get to me. She does this all the time. But making fun of one of the worst things that has happened to me...well, that's going too far.
I bite my lip, willing the tears not to fall. Ella continues laughing. "Ella, that is so rude!" Luna exclaims, shocked. "You can't come to someone's house and laugh at their misfortune!" "Especially if that person is your sister's best friend and your brother's girlfriend!" Lydia adds. "But what if I hate my sister and brother?" Ella says, almost innocently.
Luke looks as angry as he did when he nearly ended our friendship a few days ago. "And what if I hate that person more than anything?" Ella whispers in my ear.
I cover my mouth, stifling a sob. I glance at Luke, and I know straight away that he heard what Ella said. "Ella, you're coming with me," he says, sounding calm, but I know Luke better than anyone. He is actually anything but calm. He starts to walk out, and Lina pushes Ella after him, and shuts the door.
"I am so sorry, Lauren!" Lina says instantly. "She's awful, she really is!" Lydia sighs. "It's okay, guys," I say. "It's okay."

We talk for about an hour, before Lydia and Lina have to leave. "I might see you tomorrow," Lydia tells me before she goes. "Hopefully!" I reply, smiling.

About five minutes after the girls have gone, I get a text. I check who it's from. Ashton. I sigh, and open it anyway. It reads:

Lauren, I am so sorry. No, sorry doesn't even begin to explain how much I regret what I did to you. I was angry, and I didn't think about what could happen.
I was just jealous of Luke. I could tell from the first time that I saw you two together that you were perfect for each other. I knew that I couldn't stop the inevitable, but I hoped I could delay it. Obviously, that didn't work.
I understand if you never want to see or talk to me again. I understand that completely. But Lauren, please talk to me again. I haven't known you for long, but you have changed me. I need you in my life. Please forgive me.
P.S. This most likely won't affect your decision, but I just want you to know that the boys have forgiven me. Even Luke. :) x

I smile. He does care. I pick up my phone, and tap out a reply:

Forgiven. :)