Broken Lungs

I looked around tapping my foot anxiously as I sat in the waiting room. There were outdated magazines on the small table next to me and the tv was put onto some news channel. Not that I was paying much attention to them, I was just trying to focus on when they would call me so I can see my mom. I sighed and pulled my knees up hugging them to my chest.

"Hey," I flinched when I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I turned to see Ashley sitting in the chair next to me and looking at me worriedly. He handed me a water bottle and I nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just want to see her already" I took the bottle opening it and taking a small drink.

"Thank you Ash" I said screwing the top back on.

"Of course Mel, don't worry I'm sure they'll call you to see her any minute now" he said rubbing a reassuring gentle hand against my back.

"Melissa and Ashley?" A young nurse looking in her early 30's stood at the door. We both stood up and walked over to her.

"That's us" I said nodding.

"You're visiting Monica, right?" she asked

"Yes, we both are. Is she awake? How has she been doing?" I asked anxiously.

"Yes, she's awake now, she's cooperating well and the pain in her shoulder is starting to die down now. She was repeatedly beaten, both on her face and stomach and she was stabbed on her right shoulder. Although we did manage to stitch and bandage it before she lost too much blood. So she's holding up right now. If you two will follow me, I'll take you to her room so you can see her" she said giving a small smile causing me to nod. We followed her down the long white hallway past a few rooms till she came to one door knocking gently then slowly opening it.

"Monica, you doing okay? There's someone here to see you" She asked walking in and standing next to the bed. I felt my hands shaking and my heart starting to pound against my chest. I felt a soft nudge and looked at Ashley.

"Go ahead Melly, it's okay, I'll be right here by your side" he said brushing my hair behind my ear causing me to nod. I walked forward slowly into the brightly lit room. My eyes immediately started watering when I saw her sitting up in the hospital bed giving me a weak smile.

"Hi honey" my mom said weakly holding her arms out. I went over to her bed side sitting next to her and gave her a gentle hug being careful with her shoulder.

"If you guys need anything, just page me with the nurse button on the side of your bed, okay?" The nurse asked causing us to nod.

"Thank you Hannah" my mom said to the nice nurse before she walked out.

"Who's this, babydoll?" My mom asked me looking over at Ashley. He blushed slightly stepping forward holding out his hand to my mom.

"Sorry, didn't mean to be rude. I'm Ashley, pleased to meet you" he said as my mom shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you" she said as she let go of his hand and looking over to me.

"Isn't he from that band you like to listen to?" she asked me and I nodded.

"Black Veil Brides, yeah. Him and the band have been taking care of me since I got to new york. The singer, Jess from Burn Bright took me in and has been looking after me the past few days. She's the one who found me in the alley when I didn't know what to do. I'm going to be with them for their tour" I said frowning. 'Well at least you told her somehow' I thought to myself. I hope she wouldn't be upset about it but I relaxed more when I saw a small smile slowly come across her face.

"That's wonderful honey. I'm glad you've been doing well because of them" she said holding my hand and squeezing it lightly.

"Hey Melly, I'm gonna go out in the hallway real quick and call Andy to let him know how things are going here. I'll be back, excuse me" he said giving me that same charming smile before walking out of the room. I heard him faintly talking outside in the hall letting Andy know my mom was doing better but we were going to be here for the next 2 weeks just to make sure. I saw my mom looking at me with a big smile on her face.

"What?" I asked her looking confused and raising an eyebrow.

"You like him, don't you?" She asked still smiling. I felt my cheeks starting to grow warm and shrugged.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't. Why?" I asked trying to hide my cheeks under my hair. She chuckled lightly and brushed my hair behind my ear.

"I can tell from the way you look at him. You are my daughter after all. I can see that little sparkle in your eye when he said your name, that's the first time I've seen a glisten of light and hope in your eyes. I can see it in his too, the way he smiled at you. He likes you, sweetie" she said to me causing my cheeks to burn more.

"Mommaaa" I whined to her and putting my face in my hands.

"Hey, he's cute too. By the way, how did you guys get down here?" She asked me.

"Oh, he sorta planned it and the rest of the band got our plane tickets to come see you for a while" I said shrugging and trying not to smile.

"Oh really? What else has he done for you, hmm?" She asked crossing her arms and smirking. I bit my lip holding my smile and shrugged.

"He paid for me to get my hair dyed and trimmed. He bought me some more clothes, a bit of jewelry, cake the cat plushie and he gave me his favorite sweater. He listened to me when I told him all my past problems. He's very comforting and he's more cuddly than any stuffed animal I've ever slept with and will ever come across. He helped me sleep and calms me" I said shrugging.

'Just because he does those things for you, doesn't mean he wants to be with you. Maybe he's just hoping to get lucky with you. You'll see, Melissa, you'll just end up being another tally mark on his board of one night stands' spoke the evil little voice in my mind causing my smile to slowly fade.

'Why won't you just go away?..' I thought in my head back to the voice. I sighed and looked at my mom again.

"Mel, that boy is head over heels for you and I can tell you're starting to feel the same way about him. Just give him a chance, honey" she said placing her hand on mine. I smiled weakly at her and nodded.

"We'll see" I said getting up and sitting in the chair next to her bed. I saw Ashley come back into the room giving a small smile and stood next to me.

"Okay, I called Andy and let him know what happened but told him she's starting to do better and that we're gonna stay here a while just to make sure things stay that way, okay?" he asked running his fingers through my hair. I smiled and nodded.

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Most of the day had consisted of us staying in my moms hospital room talking and watching tv or getting food from the cafeteria. After a few more hours at the hospital, me and Ash decided to head to the hotel for the night and sleep. We'd go back to the hospital in the morning.

"Your mom seems really nice, Mel" Ashley said as he walked out of the bathroom in pajama pants and taking his shirt off.

"Thanks Ash, she can be pretty crazy too. Which you probably won't see till a little later on" I said earning a light chuckle in response.

"Well if she's anything like her daughter, I'm sure she'll be fun to be around too" he said smiling at me as he walked over to the small couch next to the window. I blushed as I pulled the thick comforter over me and nuzzling my face into it. I looked over at Ashley laying down on the small couch and pulling the thin wool blanket over him up to his chin. I shivered feeling the cold air flow through the room. Why it was this cold in a small room? We have no fucking clue but we don't know how to change it either. I looked over to Ashley seeing him look so peaceful but slightly uncomfortable too. He insisted on sleeping on the couch so I could have the bed but wouldn't take no for an answer. His brown warm eyes looked at me and smiled.

"Goodnight Melly, sweetdreams" he said tiredly as his eyes glazed over causing me to giggle.

"Goodnight Ash, sweetdreams to you too" I said contemplating on just telling him to sleep in the bed with me. I sighed quietly and cleared my throat seeing Ashley look over at me tiredly raising an eyebrow.

"What's on your mind Mel?" he asked leaning up on his elbow.

"Well, um, Ash you can uh, sleep in the bed with me. That couch doesn't look very comfortable and plus it's pretty cold. That thin little blanket's not gonna do much for the entire night either" I somewhat stuttered avoiding eye contact and mentally slapping myself for sounding so weird. 'Way to come off as eager, Melissa. You stupid' I thought to myself. My eyes opened to the sound of his adorable chuckling and seeing him get off the couch walking towards me.

"Okay Mel, if you really don't mind it" he said causing me to shake my head. He walked around to the other side lifting the blanket and slipping in keeping a little space between us. I heard him sigh softly as he got comfortable.

"By the way Melly, nice underwear" I heard the smirk in his tone. My cheeks felt like they were on fire I was blushing so badly. I had forgotten I decided to just go to sleep in his hustler hoodie and my marceline the vampire queen panties since he was going to sleep on the couch. 'Way. To. Fucking. Go. Melissa.' I scolded myself in my head. I groaned and pulled the blanket over my face earning yet another chuckle from his side of the bed.

"Fuck off" I muffled back at him hiding my embarrassment. He laughed and then wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Don't be embarrassed Mel, they're cute" he said kissing my cheek and grinning at me causing me to slap his arm.

"You weren't supposed to see them" I whined hiding my face again feeling it redden more.

"Too late now sweetheart" he shrugged and chuckled.

"Now, it's bed time. Goodnight again Mel, sleep well" he said pulling me closer and nuzzling his face in my hair sighing happily.

"Night Ash" I said before cuddling into his warm embrace which made the room feel less like a meat freezer.

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"Shit.." I woke up hearing Ashley cursing quietly sitting on the end of the bed with his face in his hands. I got up yawning tiredly and rubbed my eyes.

"Ash what's wrong?" I asked worriedly crawling over to him and sitting with my knees to my chest next to him.

"The guys just called. They need me back in Boston to play a few shows with them" he said frowning and looking at me with pure guilt in his sad eyes.

"I'm so sorry Mel.." he trailed off shaking his head and laying it on my shoulder.

"No Ash, it's completely fine. I understand," I said as I ran my fingers through his hair and leaning my head against his.

"Go, Ash. Go and perform with them, I'll stay here for a while and then I'll go and meet up with you guys wherever you end up being. I don't mind going back on my own, I promise" I said kissing his forehead.

"What?" he sat back up looking at me furrowing his brows together. I shrugged and smiled sadly.

"Go, if they need you then you need to be there for them. I'll be fine" I said placing my hand on his.

"Mel, no! Are you crazy? What if he gets a hold of you again? What if he sees you and follows you back here? What if-"

"Ashley Purdy, listen to me" I said cutting him off and putting a finger on his lips stopping him.

"I'll be fine, I'll just stay the night at the hospital for the remaining of me being here. The officer I talked to on the phone wants to ask me and my mom a few questions later on anyways. So I'll let him know and he can keep a few cops at hand for us. I'll let them know alex's description so he won't slip passed them. I won't go anywhere else but the hospital. Okay?" I said looking him right in the eyes. He frowned and nodded in defeat looking down.

"Ash, I'll be fine, don't worry. The guys need you, so go, okay? I'm not taking no for an answer" I said hugging him tightly.

'I knew he wouldn't stay with you for long. You're pathetic' the little voice in my head said. I brushed it off and smiled at Ashley one more time before telling him to get dressed. After a while I got dressed too and we rode together to the hospital where he had his arm around my shoulders the entire drive. When we got there I had gotten out and grabbed my bag. Ashley got out too but only to say goodbye. He hugged me tightly for what seemed like forever, not that I'm complaining but it sadly had to end so he could catch his flight. I gave him one last kiss on the cheek earning a sad smile in return. Before parting our ways, Ashley took off his star necklace and put it on me.

"I'll see you soon Mel. Be careful, please? I would hate for something to happen to you while I'm not around to protect or save you" he said playing with the star necklace I was now wearing. I placed my hand on his cheek and brushed it with my thumb making him look at me.

"I promise, Ash. Don't worry, okay? Now, go play some kickass shows with the guys. I'll meet up with you later" I said smiling at him and gently pushing him towards the cab door. He kissed my cheek before turning and getting back in. He waved sadly at me as the car started driving off. I sighed to myself as his cab drove off in the distance away from the hospital.

"Bye, I'll miss you Ash" I sighed sadly waving goodbye before turning and going inside with my bag once the cab disappeared.

'I'll see you soon'

Notes

Ahoy my lovely little sharkies. I'm so sorry, it's going to be a bit more difficult to update now that I no longer am capable of using my laptop to type up my chapters. My internet got shut off and the fuckers came and took back the router, so I'm currently without internet and have to use my phone. I was gonna have jessy update this chapter for me but I didn't want to keep bugging her about when was she gonna do it, plus I made a few tweaks and added a bit more to it.
Sorry jessy, don't hate me! I just really wanted to post it already ;-;
But here it is, sorry if it's bad, I tried :(
I love you all, thank you for being so patient and devoted. You are all wonderful and amazing.
Boob squeeze!♥

-MellyJelly