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[Ashton's POV]

"It'll only be one drink, I swear!" Michael talked though the phone.

I rolled my eyes already knowing that it wasn't going to be 'only one drink', but the more I thought about it the less that fact seemed to matter. But this is always how it went with Michael. He'd call me up on the weekend and pester me until I came out. Tonight seemed to be no different.

"One drink." I emphasized but Michael couldn't hear me because he was already cheering loudly.

"See you at the Windy in 10!" He spoke in a sing-song voice and hung up before I could even open my mouth to reply.

I sighed, exasperated from this week's workload. We had gotten in a whole new shipment of CD's/vinyl that needed to be sorted through and along with that, the owner was redesigning the interior of the store. It had been a stressful week to say the least and I knew the next few weeks would be the same.

That was the reason as to why I had agreed to go out with Michael so easily. Stress is the best excuse to have a drink. Plus it was a Friday night and I had nothing better to do.

My phone dropped from my hand and onto my bed as I rolled over on the mattress to look out the window for a brief second. The sky had already turned dark but the little town had a bright glow as the bars and restaurants opened their doors for all the night goers. I guess it as my time to join them.

I stood from my unmade bed and moved across my room toward my dresser. Clothes spilled out of the open drawers as I rummaged through them looking for something presentable to wear. From under a stack of ripped jeans I pulled out my favorite black Joy Division shirt. Slipping it over my already bare chest, I quickly grabbed my Chucks from by the door and headed out of my room.

My grandmother sat in her normal spot on the couch in front of the tv eating from a bag of sweets I had brought her from the Martha's Vineyard trip. I smiled to myself as I took a seat next to her and began lacing up my shoes.

"Don't eat all that at once," I teased.

She swatted my arm lightly, clicking her tongue against the back of her teeth in an annoyed manner, "I will eat as much as I please."

I gave her a lopsided grin as I stood from the couch.

"Where are you off to?" She asked out of curiosity.

"Meeting up with Mike." I began patting my pockets to see if I had everything I needed.

She let out a chuckle and nodded her head in acknowledgement. I rolled my eyes involuntarily as she turned away from me. Like most people, Michael had charmed the pants off my grandmother the first time I introduced them. I really didn't understand how he did it. Michael can make friends with just about everyone he meets.

I stepped through the door of the Windy Mesa to be met with the smell of liquor and cigarette smoke. Turning toward the bar I ordered my first beer of the night. Looking back over the groups of people around the room I finally spotted Michael by the pool tables talking with a few of the 50 year old regulars.

Smiling sweetly as the bartender and thanking her quietly, I took a sip of my beer. I watched Michael for a second as he explained something to the others around him, waving his hands around excitedly. The men laughed loudly at his words as I finally made my way over to them.

"There you are!" Michael beamed up at me as he clapped me on the back in a friendly manner.

"Sorry," I took another gulp of my drink, "Was talking with my gran."

Michael shook his head with an amused look on his face before turning back to the other men for a second, "Don't mind him, he's a mamma's boy."

The guys laughed as I muttered a 'shut up', not really caring if anyone heard me. It was true though I'd do anything for my grandmother.

"You guys want the table next?" One of the men questioned as his friend took another shot, "This is our last game."

Michael scrunched his nose in disapproval, "No, I'm not very good."

"Let's play a few rounds!" I piped up, excited by the idea.

"But I suck!" Michael turned in my direction.

I took another sip from my beer, "And that's what will make it fun."

Michael sighed overdramatically but agreed nonetheless. And no more than 10 minutes later I had reracked the balls and poured myself a fresh cup of beer form the pitcher Michael had purchased.

"Will you just break!" I talked over Michael's complaining as he stood at the opposite end of the pool table.

My body shook with laughter as I watched Michael yet again miss the ball he was aiming for. It didn't really matter though because we were both more than a little drunk by now but still having a good time.

"This is not funny." There was a stupid grin plastered on his face.

"I know, it's hilarious!" I laughed louder as I leaned back on the stool I was perched on.

"You dick!" He shook a finger in my face as he now stood next to me pouring himself another drink, "Take your damn shot already."

I chuckled to myself as I stood to full height and grabbed the pool stick leaning against the table. Tonight had been exactly what I needed. Thank god I had Michael around to push me out of my shell or I'd still be sitting alone in my room.

Somehow Michael had chatted up a few girls at the bar enough, while he was getting more beer, that they had joined us by the pool table. I sat back and watched as Michael acted like a pool expert, trying to show one of the girls the best way to hold the pool stick. I laughed to myself as the other girl took her time flirting with me. We were both definitely beyond drunk but I would never take advantage of a girl. I just played along politely knowing it wouldn't end up going anywhere. Plus, there was a certain girl in LA that I still had my eyes on.

My feet tripped me up slightly as I made my way back toward my apartment sometime after 2pm. I laughed to myself as I continued down the dimly lit street. I don't particularly remember the entire walk back by somehow I had made it to my building in one piece. It took a second to pull my keys from my pocket but eventually I got the front door open and stepped into my apartment as quietly as I could.

"Shit." I stifled a laugh with my free hand as I picked up my keys, that I had just dropped on the floor, with my other.

I stood in the tiny front hallway for a moment as I untied my shoes and kicked them to the side. The sound of the tv caught my attention as I made my way toward the kitchen, flicking on the light as I went.

"Gran?" My hazy eyes looked right passed the kitchen and into the livingroom, not seeing her anywhere. There was no way she would stay up this late.

As I finally turned toward the kitchen I saw her. My grandmother's body lay propped up against the low cabinets by the sink, a bit of throw up on her nightgown.

"Gran?!"

The sight of my grandmother's lifeless body had smacked me sober for just enough time to call an ambulance. But once they arrived, everything had blurred together. I had been on the verge of tears the entire time as the EMT's asked me what had happened. But what could I tell them, I wasn't there. I should have been there.

"You can't ride with us." The man held my shoulder as I tried to step into the van my grandmother was already loaded into.

"But she's my family." I stared up at him dumbly.

"Sober up, kid, and then meet us at the hospital."

With that him and his partner shut the doors to the van and then sped off down the street. I just stood there in the middle of the deserted street teetering back and forth on my feet as I tried to will the alcohol out of my system.

[Charlie's POV]

My phone vibrated violently on my bedside table and I groaned loudly before I turned over and covered my head with my pillow. Who the hell would be calling this late at night? Everyone knows I have a crazy work schedule.

The vibrating ended but started up seconds later and as I laid there in the silence of my bedroom I knew the only way to make it stop was if I answered it. Throwing my pillow to the other side of my bed I rolled back over and grabbed my phone from its place to see Ashton's name lighting up the screen. My eyebrows pushed together in confusion and slight worry. It would be almost 3:30am there, what could he possible need to talk to me about now?

But I answered anyway, "Hello? Ash?"

"C-charlie," He voice cracked as he spoke just above a whisper.

I sat up straight in bed immediately realizing that he was crying, "Ashton, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I-I don't know." He words slurred together and I strained to understand him, "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"What? There's nothing wrong-"

"Gran was just carted to the hospital," He cried out like he was in pain.

My heart pounded in my chest as I listened to his words, "What happened?"

"I-I don't know!" His voice rose but I could tell that there was something off about the way he spoke, "I wasn't there! I was at the bar with Michael trying to have fun."

He paused, taking a second to let out another wave of muffled sobs, "I was having fun and my gran was passed out on our kitchen floor. I hate myself, I can't believe I let this happen!"

"Ash-"

But he just became more hysterical, "I'm so stupid. So stupid- I-I should have been there!"

"Ashton, please," I stood from my bed and began pacing the room, "You never could have known this was going to happen!"

"But what if it would have been when I left for a whole weekend? What would happen?! She'd be dead! I'm so stupid."

"Don't say that!" I talked loudly, "Don't put yourself down. You are doing the best you can! And your grandmother just wants you to be happy. Neither of you knew this was going to happen! It was an accident, Ash. It's not your fault."

"I'm so stupid." He choked back a sob like he hadn't heard anything I said.

"I'm coming home." I spoke without thinking, "I'll get on the next flight out."

"What?" He almost sounded angry now, "No you're not! You can't do that!"

"Why not?" I started pulling an overnight bag from under my bed.

"You cant!" He sounded even more distressed, "I won't be the reason for screwing up what you have going out there."

I stopped then, taking a seat on the wood floor next to my bed. Even now, in the moment when he needed someone by his side, he was thinking about others and not himself. I felt tears well up in my eyes as I listened to the quiet sobs coming through the phone.

"Ashton, please let me help you," I spoke quietly.

He took a shaky breath before answering, "You are already. Just your voice is making everything better."

I nodded my head even though he couldn't see me, "I'll stay on the line as long as you need me."

"I think I'm going to be sick." His voice sounded far away.

"You need to drink water and eat something," I spoke quietly, now fully putting together that the strangeness of his voice was because of the fact that he was drunk.

I heard the rustling of plastic and eventually running water. My eyes shut tightly as I pushed away the tears that were still threatening to fall. I knew that Ashton's life wasn't the easiest but I never realized how much pressure he had put on himself to take care of his grandmother. It was heartbreaking only being able to hear his voice and not being able to see him when he needed me most.

I felt horrible that I couldn't be there for him. Without a second thought, I would have gotten on a plane tonight but hearing Ashton already blaming himself for possibly ruining my career was enough to stop me. He didn't need to burden himself with things like that. None of this was his fault and I hope he would eventually understand that.

"Ash, are you there?"

There was a long pause before he spoke, "Yeah."

"I don't think you should drink so much anymore." I tried not to sound demanding but I didn't know how else to put it.

"But-" He sighed heavily, "Michael, I don't want to loose Michael. He's my only friend."

I glared at the ground under my bare feet, "If Michael is really your friend then he will understand. Drinking is no way to get ride of your problems."

"I wish you were here." I had barely heard what he said but once it registered in my head it only made my heart hurt more.

I couldn't tell you how long I had spent on the phone with him, but by the time we had hung up he was already driving to the hospital. I still couldn't believe that all that had just happened and for the rest of the night I laid awake in bed thinking about how badly I wished I could be there with him right now. I thought about the tour that was coming up and how that would make seeing Ashton even harder. And I wanted to see him because after tonight I knew he needed someone in his life that would be there to support him in his times of need. I just hoped he would be willing to let me take some of that weight off his shoulders.