Isabol's POV

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After showering, I made my way back to the hospital, desperate to get back to my Ashton. I didn't want to miss anything, if he were to start moving, or even just getting some feeling back into his feeble limbs.

He had been trying so hard to move, it hurt just to watch him struggle, along with the way he would put himself down when he couldn't.

And then Calum's confession just caused him to be even more agitated and angry, and that's what probably caused Ashton to tighten his hand.

As I walked into the hospital room, I looked over to see Calum stood ashamedly in the corner as Ashton glowered from where his bed was on the sitting up position.

"Why are you here?" I asked, not meaning to sound like a bitch, but it was kind of hard to not.

I walked over to Ashton's bedside, smiling slightly as his expression softened, and I sat down next to him, taking his hand even though he couldn't hold it back.

I then noticed Luke and Michael on the couch at the other side of the room, watching Calum who looked as if he was about to burst into tears again. He stepped forward, remorse clear in his brown eyes.

"I need to tell you all something, to explain myself and tell you how sorry I am," He began, his voice already hoarse.

I looked down to Ashton to see his jaw clenching tightly, his nostrils flaring slightly as his anger already began to build up. I used my thumb to stroke his cheek, smiling as he calmed slightly.

"So, about a year ago, I was sleeping with a girl called Stella. It was only meant to be a friends with benefits deal, but me being the dumbass I am, fell for her. So when she found out, she left. I've never seen her since," Calum said, his voice breaking towards the end.

"Well, that's a lovely story, Calum, but I don't see its relevance," Ashton said sassily.

"Well, Iz looks and acts a lot like Stella. It's scary how similar they are. I just thought that if I couldn't have Stella, Iz is just the same. I realised that it's not that I'm in love with you, Iz," He began, turning to me.

"I'm in love with the thought of you," He continued, looking down at his feet in shame once he had finished.

The story shocked me, just purely because I never even knew that's what happened to Calum. By the expressions on the other three boys faces, it was clear that they were just as clueless as me.

"Cal, come over here," Ashton croaked, shifting his head so that he was gesturing for Calum to come forward.

Calum shuffled forward so that he now stood at the other side of the bed from where I sat.

"You should have just told us from the off, we would have understood, and helped you," Ashton said quietly, Luke and Michael nodding in agreement as they both stood up and came over to us all.

"Sorry," Calum apologized again, obviously still feeling guilty.

"It's ok, just stay away from my girl!" Ashton said the last part jokingly, chuckling his glorious laugh.

It felt so good to hear the beautiful sound again, since he had been too caught up in trying to move in the recent days that he hasn't gathered the energy or joy to truly laugh yet until now.

"Group hug!" Michael shouted, pulling us all down so we were huddled around Ashton, and I kissed my boyfriend's cheek, smiling to myself as I felt his dimple below my lips.

"I love it when we're all together," Luke whispered to himself as everyone pulled out of the hug, and I sent him a soft smile.

~~~~~

World's tiniest update! But I'm going to get the next one up soon! I think this story is going to end soon, but I'm debating whether to make it longer or make a sequel, but I don't know!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my lovelies!

Love, Megan x