M I C H A E L

I leaned backwards in an old chair next to Clyde in the children's unit. He was allergic to shrimp. Turns out, Ashton's work on him actually did something. If he hadn't tried, Clyde would have suffocated to death. I shook the thought of that out of my head. Ashton has gone home a few hours ago, leaving me alone in the pastel colored hospital room.

Clyde wasn't completely unconscious, he was just sleeping. Even when he was awake he wasn't as energetic. The tubes and wires restricted him from doing much.

I heard a light knock on the door. I turned around, slightly startled, to see who was there. Crystal. A look of sympathy was shown all over her face.

"Come in," I told her quietly.

She walked nervously to the chair next to me. There was an awkward silence.

"What happened?" Crystal cleared her throat.

"He's allergic to shrimp."

She nodded slowly.

Suddenly, I remembered how Crystal knew that Clyde was mine.

"How did you know?" I asked her.

"Hm?" she raised her eyebrows.

"How'd you know? That I was his dad..." I trailed off.

Crystal shrugged. "He looks a lot like you. You also answered every question that the paramedic asked the group. That's also when the lines were drawn between Clyde calling you dad and Luke acting al awkward about it."

I nodded. "I guess there were a lot of plot holes."

She looked over at Clyde for a moment before making eye contact with me again. "Why didn't you say that he was yours?"

I froze, embarrassed. "I thought you would judge me. You know, because I'm so young."

She rose an eyebrow. "But I wouldn't judge Luke? Isn't he the youngest?"

I nodded. "Yeah, but it was just a split second decision to pawn it on him. Technically, it would have been weird for Ashton to not tell you he had a son. Plus Clyde looks nothing like Calum, and it probably would be in the press if he adopted."

Crystal nodded with a small smirk. "But why would I judge you? And why would you care?"

I shrugged. "Maybe I just like you a little bit."

I froze at my boldness. I used to be so confident when flirting, but with Crystal I guess I couldn't until now.

Crystal smiled a bit. "That's sweet," she told me.

I felt heat driving up to my cheeks. I hoped that Clyde would wake up to take away from the awkwardness.

My wish came true. His eyes fluttered open. He was calm for a split second before completely sobbing in hysterics.

I sighed and stood to go by him. I kissed his forehead while mumbling I love you's and you're okay's in attempt to calm him.

Clyde eventually calmed a bit, but was still pretty shaken up, understandably. He began to fall back asleep slowly. I looked back to Crystal, who watched the whole thing intently, a content smile lightly set on her face.

"You seem like an amazing father," she told me.

I smirked a bit, looking down at my twiddling thumbs. "Thanks. It means a lot."

"I'm sure you get that compliment all the time though," she started. "Your relationship with him is adorable."

I shook my head. "No, I don't really get that compliment often."

Crystal laid her small hand on my large ones in my lap. I looked up at her. "Well, let me be the one to tell you that you are."

~~~~~

I yawned as I stretched, waking up from a short nap. I felt a weight in my shoulder to my left. Crystal had her head leaning on me. Soft snores that were barely audible escaped her lips. I took this moment to admire her fragile features. Her nose was perfect. Her lips had a permanent pout, but she never looked angry. Her jaw was sharper than mine, not that that was hard to get to.

I didn't know if Lena could compete with the sleeping girl on my shoulder. Crystal seemed like a better person all around compared to Lena. Crystal wouldn't leave in the middle of the night without her son like Lena did. Crystal wouldn't treat me unfairly and then blow my money like Lena did. The only thing similar between them was that they made me happy.

The biggest difference is that Crystal would forever make me happy, and Lena would never be back.

ugh i am so sorry you all probably hate me because i haven't updated in AGES, plus this is kind of short. but in my defense, i'm trying to handle this book, my niall fanfic, and i have an ashton fic coming so prepare yourself. thank you a bunch! also please leave comments, it's my favorite thing to go and read them. i also usually reply if that helps anything which it probably doesn't. love you all!!!