Novocaine Hearts

Lexa's POV

In the late morning I woke to a car horn, repeatedly honking outside the house.
I tossed and turned, in hopes I would fall back asleep, but it was no use. I was awake.
Sometimes I wished I would just die in my sleep. It would be so much easier; no pain, no fuss and people would have no idea.
The dark thought slipped out of my mind when my phone started to ring.
It was Jake.
"Hey Jake" I greeted tiredly.
"Hey, umm, are you home? I've outside for like ten minutes..."
"Oh! Right! Umm, yeah, I'll come let you in" my voice a croaky mess as I ripped the covers off myself.
I quickly stumbled downstairs and jogged down the hallway to open the door for Jake.
"Hey" he smiled warmly.
I couldn't help but smile back. "Hey."
"How was your night?" He asked.
"Umm, was... interesting... Me and Parker had a bit of a talk..." I shrugged as I stepped out of the way to let Jake in.
Jake made a confused look.
"Don't worry, nothing happened. He just... He finally gave me the apology I wanted" I said, leading Jake down the hall to the main area of the house.
"That's good. Are things gonna go back to normal then?"
"I think so... We're gonna try. We have too, for the band" I shrugged again. "Did you want a coffee or anything?" I offered.
"Nahh, I'm good. Umm, did you want to get ready? So we can go check on Ashley" Jake said, angling his head towards the door.
"Ohh! Oh my God Ashley! I've completely spaced! Have you heard anything?" I said, wacking my hand against my forehead.
"Yeah, umm, Riley messaged Kimber saying that he woke up and all seems good. He just has a really sore head and they wanna keep him another night for observation" Jake explained.
"Thank God, that's a relief. I'm sure Riley is happy."
"Yeah, we'll see how long it lasts" Jake mumbled.
I rolled my eyes and started to make my way upstairs. "I won't be long."

Riley was still in her plastic chair next to Ashley's bed. Her eyes never left his sight. She was still dressed in her shorts and bikini top from yesterday, only having a hoodie added.
"You guys didn't have to come by, I'm fine" Ashley explained as we pulled up chairs on the other side of his bed.
"We were really worried. It was a really bad hit" I said, staring at the bandage wrapped around his head.
"Babe, at least go home and have a shower while they're here. You need to get some rest" Ashley pleaded with Riley.
"I'm not going anywhere" Riley said sternly. "I'm not having something happen and me not be here for it."
"You have to stop being so paranoid" Ashley said grabbing her hand.
"I really can't" she shot.
Ashley sighed and turned back to us. "So did you guys have fun yesterday on the boat, before this?" Ashley asked, grabbing the hair poking out around his head.
"Yeah, it was so beautiful yesterday. It gave me and Jake a chance to talk" I said,
"Yeah, she was thinking she might move back down to LA" Jake added.
"What?! You're gonna move to LA?" Riley said in shock.
"Well, I was thinking about it. I need to move out anyways... Just thought a change would be nice, but I still have to talk to Nate" I explained.
"That'd be awesome if all of you guys lived closer. We could tour together!" Ashley smiled with excitement.
"Ashley, you won't be touring for a while. You need to rest" Riley said, touching his arm as if to remind him.
"But we're going to the UK soon" Ashley frowned.
"Yeah, that's in a month. But I'm not going with you..." she said quietly.
"Wait... What?" Ashley said, confused.
"Yeah, you always come with us" Jake chimed in.
"I really don't want to go on tour for a while."
"Why?" I asked with a little more care than the guys.
"I just want to take a break from the music scene for a while. Focus on the bar..." she spoke quietly, looking down at her hands.
"You can't let that bring you down" Ashley mumbled.
"Wow, she actually told you" Jake said, sounding sarcastic.
"Jake!" I shot, giving him a dirty look.
Riley looked so pained. I could tell she was only biting on her lip so she wouldn't cry.
"Riley, I-" I started to apologise, but she stopped me.
"No, Lex, it's okay. I'm sure they would have found out sooner or later... umm, excuse me" she stood abruptly and paced out the room.
Ashley looked after her longingly, frustrated that he couldn't go after her.
He looked at us and glared. "You can't leave her alone can you?" annoyance written all over his face.
"It slipped!" Jake yelled.
"You couldn't help yourself! You know what? Thank God she's not coming with us, cause then she'd have to put up with all of you guys putting her down and making her feel like shit! All she ever does is try and help all of us and not one for you guys treat her with respect. You all just roll your eyes and shrug her off. She has been through more than all of us combined! So, I would appreciate it if-"
As Ashley ranted, his face started to go pale and his own words were cut off as vomit filled his throat.
"Oh fuck! Ashley!" I screamed, trying to move out of the way.
After a few seconds, Ashley went limp and lifeless.
"Oh my God... What just happened?" I shook, covering my face with my hands. I coward away from him, scared for his life.
"HELP! We need some help in here!" Jake yelled out the door.
Nurses flooded room, checking the machines and checking Ashley's airways.
"Are you family?" A nurse asked.
"No, we're friends" Jake answered.
"You need to wait outside" she instructed.
"But-"
"Family only" she said sternly, as she pushed us out the room.
"Fuck..." Jake huffed as he leaned against the wall.
I felt myself shivering with fright. I sunk to the floor and rested my head in my hands.
"You okay?" Jake asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah" I breathed.
It stayed silent between us. We could just hear the beeping of the machines coming from inside the room; then we heard footsteps.
"Why are you guys out here?" Riley asked she approached with a worried expression.
I couldn't answer so I looked up at Jake and he sighed.
"He started vomiting, then he lost consciousness... Riley I'm so sor-"
She was already inside the room, barely giving Jake a second look.
I took Jake's hand and stroked it with my thumb. "It'll be okay."

Notes

Please comment guys.
Would really make my day :)
-Tina xx