AN: What if I told you that this story won't have Malum?

"Look who finally decided to show up?" Liam announced when Luke and I went through his front door.

"You're right," I said to him. He cocked an eyebrow. "I should really stay away from Jasmine."

"She's a clingy bitch, ain't she? Thinking everything she wants is hers." He scoffed. "Poor you. So, what happened to Luke here?"

"This doof thought it was a good idea to carry me while his stomach was not in good condition." I led Luke over to the loveseat and I told him to lie down. He told me he wanted me to let him use my lap as a pillow.

So that's how I'm sitting near the end while Luke is on his back, his head resting on my lap and his feet hanging off of the armrest.

"Does this have something to do with Jasmine?" I nodded. "Figured."

"GOLDFISH CRACKERS?!" I heard Niall exclaim. Luke jumped a bit at Niall's loud voice, so I played with his hair to calm him. Liam and I watched Niall sprint out of the kitchen and running out the door, no doubt going to my car to get the goldfish crackers. Michael and Calum walked out of the kitchen, laughing at Niall's eagerness to get to said snacks. I glanced down at Luke and his chest was rising and falling at an even pace. He must've fallen asleep. That was rather fast.

"I don't think I know your name," Liam said to Calum as he stood up. He walked over to him and stuck his hand out. "My name's Liam."

"Calum," he answered as the two shook hands. "Luke and I are best friends."

"That's nice to know." They exchanged smiles, and then Niall ran into the house.

"Ashton! Keys! NOW!" he demanded.

"Michael has them," I told him. His eyes darted towards Michael who was slowly backing up. Then Niall started running, causing Michael's instincts to kick in and tell him to get away from Niall at all costs. They ran around the house, screaming at one another. I was a bit surprised that the loudness of Niall and Michael didn't seem to wake Luke. He was still sleeping like a baby.

"They're lucky my family isn't home," Liam laughed as he went to the kitchen. He returned a few moments later with a glass of water in his hand and he took a seat on a black recliner, sipping out of the glass. Calum took a seat on the armrest beside me and looked at Luke.

"Is he going to be okay?" Calum asked, worry filling his voice.

"Yeah, he'll be fine," I reassured him, my hand still brushing through Luke's blond hair. "He's an idiot."

"He does stupid things when it comes to someone he loves." Suddenly Liam slamemd the glass cup down onto the table in front of him. It didn't shatter, surprisingly. He began coughing and Calum immediately got up to pat Liam's back.

"Did you just say 'loves'? Like, Luke loves Ashton?" Liam coughed, his eyes practically bulging out of his head.

"I meant that Luke loves all of his friends, so of course when it comes to someone he loves, like friends and family, he's going to do something dumb," Calum explained.

Yeah, Liam. Don't go thinking Luke loves me.

Liam doesn't even know Luke's gay, so of course hearing that he likes a guy is going to make the water he was drinking go down the wrong tube.

Luke doesn't love me. We're just friends. Friends that kissed four times. And we tend to NONSEXUALLY touch each other a lot. Well, Luke does say things as if he's hinting he has a crush on me, but unless he actually admits it I won't believe it.

If Luke and I aren't dating yet we still kiss, then what does that exactly make us?

No, not friends with benefits, God no. I don't see us having sex at all in the future. Nope. Stupid Michael.

Then some shrill screeches echoed throughout the house. Zayn let out a loud groan as he stepped into the room where Liam, Calum, a sleeping Luke, and I were in.

"Yo! Tweedledoofus and Tweedledumbass! Stop making so much noise!" Zayn shouted as he took a seat on a couch adjacent to the recliner Liam was on. "What are they so energetic about?"

"Snacks," I said. "We got snacks, and Niall really wants to eat the goldfish crackers."

"Of course, he does." He takes Liam's water and drinks out of it. Liam, being the nice person he is, lets Zayn drink some of it before he smacks him in the back of the head. "Hey!"

"My water. Get your own next time," Liam laughs when Zayn glowers at him. I rested my feet on the edge of the coffee table, careful enough to not disturb Luke. He rolled over onto his side so his face was pressed against my stomach.

"It's only ten, so I guess we can still chill before heading over to Harry's," Zayn said when he pulled out his phone. "We just need to be there by noon."

"Or we can leave now," Liam suggested. "Gemma texted me, saying she and her mum are already out." Then Niall and Michael ran from wherever they came from and into the kitchen. Then they were out, sprinting right towards us. Michael grabbed onto Calum's shoulders and used him as a shield.

"I just want the keys!" Niall whined. "Get the goldfish crackers, at least!"

"Wait until we get to Harry's!" Michael exclaimed. "You're not the only one who wants goldfish crackers!"

"We actually bought four boxes," Calum spoke up, "so if you want to eat one now, then go ahead."

"Calum!"

"Keys!"

"Just give the keys to Niall," I told Michael. "Just be quiet, please." I motioned to Luke. Michael frowned before stepping from behind Calum.

"I'm not giving them to you," he stated, "but I'm walking out with you. Let's go."

"Goldfish crackers!" Niall exclaimed, jumping up and down as he and Michael went to the front door.

"Niall, shut up," Zayn snapped. "You're so damn loud. How can you have so much energy at this ungodly hour?" Niall turned to look at Zayn.

"It's ten."

"Too early for Saturday." Niall stuck his tongue out before he and Michael walked out of the house.

"Okay, so now what?" I asked. "Are we leaving now or are we going to wait until the time comes for us to head to Harry's?"

"I'm too lazy to drive right now," Zayn groaned. "Can we just chill for half an hour, please?"

"We're in no hurry," Liam shrugged. "Did you and Michael buy the cake?"

I nearly sprung up from my spot, but remembering Luke was on my lap I just gasped, jumping a little bit. "Shit, it's in the car!"

"I'll go tell Michael to bring it in," Calum spoke up as he stood up from where he was sitting and went over to the door, but then it flung open before he could reach it, revealing a freakishly happy Niall who was holding a box of goldfish crackers to his chest as if it was his prized possession. Michael then walked in, carrying Harry's cake. I sighed in relief.

"Ashton..." I heard Luke mumble. I looked down at him, wondering what he needed, but found that he was still asleep. Is he dreaming about me? Well, he did just say my name. I couldn't help but feel happy about that. Hopefully Luke doesn't feel how happy I am...

It didn't seem like anyone else caught Luke sleep talking. Their eyes were all focused on Niall who refused to share the goldfish crackers. I saw Michael hand Calum the cake, and then the brunet walked into the kitchen with the cake in his hands. Michael tiptoed behind Niall and snatched the crackers out of his hand.

"Hey!" Niall yelled.

"Share, fatass, or else you're not getting any at Harry's," Michael threatened, and then he walked into the kitchen. The Irish pouted before hanging his head and sitting on the armrest by Liam and resting his head on his shoulder. Liam slowly patted Niall's back, unsure of what he was supposed to do. Then Niall shot up.

"I'm not that upset," Niall announced. "I'm just being dramatic." Michael returned with the goldfish crackers in a large bowl. I wasn't surprised when Niall was the first to grab a handful. Then he got a tissue and put the goldfish crackers down, carrying it over to me and laying it on the armrest next to me.

"Well, then... anyone feelin' like Just Dance?" Liam asked, jerking his thumb back so it was pointing in the direction of the game room. Niall carried the bowl of goldfish crackers and went over to the room, Liam and Zayn following behind.

"Want to play?" Michael asked Calum when he returned from the kitchen, holding his hand out at him. Calum stared at it like it was foreign, but he eventually took it, and the two headed to the game room hand-in-hand.

"How cute," I mumbled to no one in particular when Michael closed the door once they went inside. The two seem like they're already close, and they just met today.

As much as I would like to join the guys, I couldn't get up, because Luke was still asleep, and I didn't want to disrupt him. I brushed my fingers through his blond hair as I heard the Just Dance game get started and Niall exclaiming that he wants his name to be Sky.

I leaned my head back and breathed out a sigh. I could already hear the guys laughing and yelling how they should've gotten perfect on a certain dance move. The yelling's coming from mostly Michael and Niall.

Luke stirred a bit and my attention was drawn to him. He groggily opened his eyes and looked up at me. Then he looked around the room.

"Where'd everyone go?" he yawned, attempting to sit up before giving up and lying back down again.

"Game room, playing Just Dance," I answered.

"Hm? Why didn't you go?"

"Because, in case you've forgotten, you were sleeping on me."

"Oh. Sorry." He then slowly his head from my lap. "You can go now."

"No, I'd much rather stay here."

"Oh, okay." He put his head back on me. "I didn't want you to leave anyway." I think my heart just skipped a beat. Or maybe it stopped beating. I'm alive, right? Because, I swear, this whole thing, being with Luke, seems like a dream, but it's so vivid, and it's actually real. "Can you play with my hair again? It feels nice."

"S-Sure..." My fingers lingered a bit before they proceeded to comb through his blond hair. He hummed and then closed his eyes. My feet were now flat against the ground, so that way it'd be more comfortable for Luke. "You know, you're still an idiot for carrying me."

He just chuckled. "My bad." I shook my head, huffing out a small laugh. Luke's hand reached out and stroked the back of my head. "Does it hurt?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Your head. Does it still hurt?"

... I forgot that I got hurt there. Either that, or I got hit so hard I got brief amnesia up until Luke mentioned it. It doesn't hurt that much.

Wow, I've been reminded why he's dealing with me. No, but he only has to that at school. Outside isn't required. But...

"Ash?"

"Oh, it doesn't hurt that much." He nodded before his eyes closed. "How're you feeling?"

"Pretty well now, thank you."

"Well enough to walk?" Luke looked off elsewhere, playing with his lip ring.

"If I can't, we're staying here," he said. I nodded, and then he slowly got up before slamming back down again. "Nope, I can't get up. I guess we're stuck here."

"You did that on purpose!" I laughed.

"You have no proof!" Luke stuck his tongue out at me and I imitated the action. I rested my arm on the armre- oops, I knocked over some goldfish crackers.

But an idea struck me.

"Luke, I don't think you've eaten enough this morning" I said, trying to keep a straight face. He looked up at me with wide eyes.

"Where are you going with this?" he asked, hesitantly. "You're not going to fatten me, are you?"

"No, I'm not going to do that. Besides, I can't even get up. How can I even get you food?" Luke just nodded in understanding. He's not even aware of the goldfish crackers that are right beside me. Then he frowned when I let a mischievous smile slip onto my face. Damn my failure of keeping a poker face.

"Ashton, what are you-" I held up a goldfish cracker and put it right above his upper lip. He freaked out, flinging himself up and causing the goldfish cracker to fly onto the floor. He wiped at his face, and then shot me a glare. He whined, "Don't do that!"

I'm feeling slightly bad for doing that, but his reaction was just... God, I wish I had that on video so I could replay that over and over again.

I tried to stifle my laughter, but... so much for trying.

"Are you laughing at me?" Luke questioned. My laughing just got louder and more uncontrollable.

"I-I'm s-sorry," I said in between my laughs, "it's j-just..." I wasn't able to finish my sentence, because I was starting to crack up some more.

"My stomach hurts, you know, because of you." My laughing was gone as quickly as it came.

"Seriously?! Luke, I didn't-" Then he tackled me and pinned me down on the couch, his legs straddling me. His hands were wrapped around my my wrists and they were on either side of my head.

"Did I get ya?" he winked.

"You freaking liar!" I gasped, feigning an angry look. He chuckled, but it was replaced with a slightly scared expression.

"I thought you were going to make me eat it."

"I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry. I'm not going to force you to eat again. Your anorexia will gradually go away, but it won't if you don't eat. I'll make sure you eat enough and do not throw up your food, but I'm not going to force you, don't worry."

He nodded, his blue eyes soft as they stared into mine. "You know, my stomach really did hurt, but not that much, because you kissed most of my pain away back in the car."

"Do you seriously believe that kisses heal?" I asked.

Luke raised his head and blinked down at me. "Don't they? I mean, my mom always told me, 'kisses take away your booboos.'"

I pressed my lips together in a thin line so my laugh wouldn't escape. "Can I tell you something about what your mom said?"

"Never contradict Mama Hemmings!" he exclaimed, dropping his entire frame right on top of me, foricing the air out of me. His head was right next to mine, but he was facing away from me. "They work for me."

"Okay, okay, they work. A-Are you falling back asleep?" Then he faked a loud snore. "You're such an idiot."

"I don't blame you for thinking that." His head was back down. "I tend to do stupid things. Like fighting when I know I'm going to lose."

"Yeah, Calum said that you do stupid things when it comes to someone you love." He lifted himself up from me.

"What?"

"He said you do stupid things when it comes to-"

"No, I heard you, but... Calum said that?" I nodded. "Please tell me he explained to you what he meant by someone I love."

"Y-Yeah..." I pulled myself up so I was sitting upright and Luke moved away so he was sitting on the opposite side of the loveseat. "He meant like friends and family. Nothing more." My heart faltered just saying that, because I'm nothing more than a friend. "I'm just a friend, right?"

Luke played with his lip ring before opening his mouth. "... You're-"

"Ow!" Our eyes shot to look in the direction of where the noise came from, and there was Calum, Michael, and Niall (in order from bottom to top) lying right on top of each other with the game room door wide open. Liam and Zayn were peering down at them before they both looked up at me and Luke. Liam facepalmed himself and Zayn just chuckled weakly.

The three that were on the ground scramble onto their feet and brushed themselves off. When Niall looked up, his eyes widened.

"Ashton, you wasted perfectly good goldfish crackers!" he yelled. I looked at the armrest where the goldfish crackers were supposed to be, but saw that they were no longer there. I looked over the armrest and saw that they had fallen onto the ground. When did that happen?

I shrugged, not caring much for the snack. "Oh, well."

"It's okay, Niall. We'll have a proper burial for the goldfish crackers we've lost," Michael said, patting Niall's back.

"What about the ones that were eaten?" Zayn asked. Michael shot him a glare.

"Don't go smart on me."

"You guys were eavesdropping on us," Luke spoke up. Oh, that's what they were doing? I thought the three were wrestling.

"In my defense, I told them not to!" Calum exclaimed, raising his hands up.

"Which would explain why you were the one who was on the bottom," Michael muttered, but the words didn't go by unnoticed. Calum whacked his arm before approaching me and Luke and taking a seat in the black recliner.

"How much did you hear?" I asked.

"Starting from when Luke tackled you to the couch," Liam answered. "We all heard that much."

"Which brings us to this," Calum began as he rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "Luke, why didn't you tell me you were anorexic?"

Shit, they heard that, too...

Luke was looking down at his feet, not wanting to answer. "I thought you told me everything..."

"It's just that one that I didn't tell you about," he murmured.

"Are there any more secrets you're hiding from me that you'd like to disclose?" Luke bit his lip before shaking his head. Then Calum gasped. "All those times when you left after eating, you were..." Luke pulled a knee up to his chest, wincing a bit from the small pain on his stomach. He pressed his face to his knee, staring anywhere but at Calum. "Oh, my God..."

"Are you mad at me?" Luke asked, his voice sounding like a little kid's.

Calum shook his head, "I'm not mad at you, but I'd like for you to tell me everything."

"How come you don't like food?" Niall quizzed. "It's, like, the greatest thing to ever exi-"

"Shut up Niall," Liam ordered as he slapped his hand over Niall's mouth, because honestly, that Irish boy needs a filter or something. Michael, Zayn, Liam, and Niall all moved over to the empty couch.

"B-But I'm really trying to stop," Luke told Calum quickly. "Really. Ashton and Aleisha are helping me. W-Well, I didn't start trying until yesterday."

"Aleisha knew?" Calum asked. "I've known you since we were young and you tell Aleisha first?" Calum then began to pout, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'm jealous now."

"I didn't tell her. She caught me purging. It was at a party over the summer. I went to the restroom after eating to, you know, get rid of the food, and I didn't lock the door. She walked in and saw me, and... yeah..." Luke trailed off, his gaze slowly moving up towards Calum's face.

"I'm going to help you eat again!" Niall slapped Liam's hand away and jumped up, rushing over to Luke. "Food's the greatest thing ever! If getting fat's what you're worried about, don't worry! I mean, you're on the football team! You'll burn off enough calories to keep the same size, and you'll be good to go!"

"For once, Niall's right," Zayn chimed in. "You'll be fine. You know what? We'll all help you. Liam, Niall, Michael, and I will help."

"And I'm definitely helping you," Calum said. Niall sat on the edge of the coffee table, cocking his head to the side. 

"I still don't understand why someone wouldn't like food."

"Oh, my God. Niall, get yourself a dildo and stuff it in your mouth!" Michael exclaimed. "You need to learn how to be quiet!"

"The only things that are ever going in my mouth are food, drinks, tooth brushes and tooth pastes, mouth wash, my retainers-"

"We get it. Everything goes in your mouth, you slut." Niall glowered at Michael. Liam stood up from where he was squatted down to clean up the goldfish crackers that were on the ground. I muttered an apology to him, but he just waved it off, saying it was no big deal.

"After I clean this small mess," Liam spoke up, "we'll go over to Haz's place. Niall,  get Haz's present after you shut off the game. Michael, Calum, go get the cake. Zayn, go start your car."

Everyone went to do their respective orders, and Liam got up, looking at Luke. "Well, I'm glad you're giving in some effort. Just remember, everyone of us, definitely Ashton, will be with you every step of the way."

"I know Ashton will help me. That's why I'm putting effort into it." Luke, you and your words... I don't know how I was able to deal with them up to this point.

"Okay, well... If you can walk, why don't you go help Niall get Harry's present?" Luke nodded before standing up and running off.

Yes, he ran off. I don't know, I guess he recovers quickly. Or those kisses really do heal...

Liam turned to me. "You should get your car ready. Get ready to go leave." He paused for a moment. "Whatever happened last night, I'm sure Harry won't remember. He was pretty wasted."

I laughed. "I'm surprised that Zayn and Niall didn't get hangovers."

Liam groaned. "Oh, my God. They did, and it was horrible. They stayed over for the night, and they both woke up at six in the morning, moaning and groaning about how they'll never drink again. Yeah, like anyone will ever believe that. I was stuck, taking care of them until their hangovers were gone. It only lasted for two to three hours, thank God for that."

"Sucks for you. I'm glad that I didn't have to deal with that. I would've gone crazy. Respect to you." Liam chuckled.

"Damn it, Calum, how the hell did you get the cake in the fridge?! It's impossible to get out!"

"Tetris pays off!"

Liam glanced over at the kitchen and then back at me. "I'm going to go help them." Then he tossed the goldfish crackers into a nearby trash can, and was off to the kitchen.

Luke came back with a wrapped-up present in his arms and Niall's hand right under the box. I raised an eyebrow at Niall, and he stared back at me.

"What?" he asked defensively. "I'm carrying ten percent of it. Besides, it's not that heavy."

"Luke's hurt," I informed him, and that was enough for him to get the box out of Luke's hold and scurry outside.

"I could've held it," Luke said.

"What, and risk having more pain in your stomach? I don't think so." I walked over to Luke and then the two of us headed out to my car. Liam was right behind us, holding Harry's cake while Michael and Calum just talked about random stuff. I don't know what they're talking about, it just sounds like a bunch of gibberish from where I am.

Niall, Liam, and Zayn got into Zayn's car while Michael, Calum, Luke and I got into mine. Michael still wanted to drive, but I wasn't about to let him. That was, until Luke told me he wanted me to sit with him in the backseat. That got me to change my mind. Calum sat in the passenger seat and he and Michael began talking like Luke and I weren't even here. I even tried joining the conversation, but Michael told me to buzz off and go suck Luke's dick.

... Well, then.

About ten minutes later all seven of us were in front of Harry's place. Liam knew where Harry's mom left the spare house key, so he went to get that and unlocked the door for us to go inside.

"Surprise!" Niall and Michael shouted in the... empty place. We went inside, wondering where Harry was. He's probably in his room sleeping. It is still pretty early for a Saturday, especially when you've been drinking the night before.

We all headed for his room. The door was closed and we could hear snoring inside. Yep, Harry's definitely in there, asleep no doubt.

"Okay, on three, we shout 'happy birthday'," I whispered to everyone. They all nodded, and the counting began. "One, two, three!" Then I swung the door open

"Happy birthda-!" Our jaws dropped to the ground at what we saw.

The only words that flew out of my mouth were, "Oh, my God."