rush//5SOS

18

"Did you know, you two and Luke are the only ones who don't eat with everyone else?" Ashton said, trying to prompt a conversation about how Freya interacted with others.

The therapists had been the one to start the friendship between her and the boys, and from what she'd told Ashton, she didn't have any stable ones at home.

"It's too loud," Calum mumbled, "like at home,"

"Yeah, you're still figuring it all out huh?" Ash smiled, Calum nodding. He was still getting used to Ashton, and all the rumours didn't do him justice.

"I don't like my home," Freya sighed.

"But isn't it nice? Surely you have like cleaners and stuff," Calum asked.

"They're probably the one who dobbed me in and ended me up here,"

"Freya, it will probably take a bit longer to realise, but they've given you another shot at life. An even better one," Ashton explained, Freya turning to face Calum.

She still felt rubbish, and sick, and cold. Calum looked down and frowned, not really knowing what she was going through. He'd not been through a withdrawal.

"What's it like being famous?"

"I'm not famous,"

"You have thousands of followers,"

"How do you know?" the girl asked, finally letting her head hit his chest. She was so exhausted, and lonely.

"I'm allowed my phone, and everyone in here knows you,"

"Well it's shit. You get tons of hate every single day, and the small reporters are desperate to know every tiny detail of your life- you can't do anything,"

"So how did you get into clubs?" Ashton interrupted.

"Fake name and lots of makeup. It's dark, and not that hard if you pretend to be with a group of girls,"

"Did you constantly move?" Calum asked, realising how useful he was being to Ashton. However, he was genuinely interested because he'd never met someone remotely well known.

"Yeah, dad's probably gone back to America right now. My sister stays here and I have to do whatever my dad tells me. He only cares if it will ruin his image,"

Ashton sat back, surprised she could tell he'd already left the country. It was starting to make sense to him- the hate, the moving, the pure instability of her life while growing up.

"Please hug me,"

Calum hesitantly wrapped his arms round the girl, alarmed by how light and small she was. This couldn't be healthy, and he had a good feeling she wasn't eating much either.

Luke sat with Michael in his office, both with a plate of food in front of him. He thought that maybe if Luke had someone to eat with, it wouldn't be so embarrassing for him.

"Where is Calum?"

"He's busy right now, he can come to the gym with you later if you eat,"

"What about Freya?"

"She's underweight, and struggling a lot right now so Ashton doesn't want her body being warn out,"

"He's scary," the boy admitted, "can't you take over?"

"She needed someone firm, and he's a really nice person once you get to know him. You weren't too sure on Naomi to start with but now you could speak to her, couldn't you?"

"Yeah. I did what you said and wrote down how I felt,"

"Did it help?"

"Yes,"

Luke nodded, slowly eating the food in front of him. Really, he just wanted to sleep.

It was a constant battle, and he didn't want to disappoint Michael or his mum, but it was tough.

"I don't think I can go to the gym tonight,"

Michael translated this to what he really meant; I can't eat this which means I won't be working out.

"Come on, I know you can do this. We don't need to be anywhere so take your time,"

"Michael,"

"Luke, you were so brave earlier and I knew you were uncomfortable. All I'm asking, is that you eat this meal to stay healthy, and I know how much energy it's gonna take out of you, but once it's done it's done,"

"Am I too much effort? You have no other patient,"

"Some people need a lot more support, you've seen how many people work here. Don't worry about it, because I'm here to look after you,"