33.

                                    

                                          
i spent the next couple days in the hospital trying to regain my strength.
it may not seem like it, but overdosing takes a lot out of you. 
the boys went over with me how they want me to take a break from school and focus on myself.
at first, i was completely opposed to it, but after a bit of convincing i finally agreed.
i sat up stiffly and reached for my phone and saw a miss call from mom.
i almost didn't want to call her back.
i looked and saw she left a voice message.
"hey sweetie. i'm flying out today to come visit you. my boss is letting me have a couple days off. see you soon. ashton already knows." mom spoke before ending the voice message.
i groaned and quickly stood up and slid my IV out before heading out of the hospital room.
"can i be checked out?" i asked as i looked at the head nurse.
"um, you're going to have to ask your father honey. i can page him if you would like?" the nurse spoke with a soft smile.
i groaned but nodded and stood there waiting.
ashton came walking over.
"what's- "why is mom coming? i don't want her here please." i interrupted.
"i couldn't really say no tory. she's only staying for two days." ashton spoke trying to reassure me that mom being here wouldn't be literal torture.
"can i at least be discharged now. i don't want to be here when she is." i muttered.
"i don't blame you. yeah, you can come home today." ashton chuckled as he went to go sign the discharge papers.
i quickly ran back into my room to see calum there giving me a disappointed look.
"what?" i spoke firmly.
"you took out your IV. you're not supposed to do that." he spoke stiffly.
"who died and made you the boss? yeah, that's what i thought. i'm going to change. please help yourself out." i spoke with a tiny glare.
i was still beyond pissed at calum for being so mean the other day, but i also knew he was just trying to help.
i quickly changed into a hoodie and sweats before leaving the room to go and wait with ashton.
"i can drop you at home if you would like? michael has a day off." ashton offered.
"i really can't be alone?" i muttered.
"not until we can trust you to not harm yourself babe." ashton sighed as he motioned for me to follow him to the car.
the car ride home was silent, but calming. 
i was just happy to not be in a hospital.
"i'll be picking up your mom tonight." ashton smiled stiffly as he put the car in park.
i nodded and hopped out after saying goodbye and walking to the front door.
i quickly slipped inside and went to go upstairs when i heard michael say, "freeze."
"what?" i asked as i turned around.
"i didn't know you were coming back." he spoke bashfully as a woman came from behind him.
"oh shit." she mumbled as she fixed her jacket.
"i'll be upstairs." i spoke with a tiny smile as i went to leave.  
"hi! just before you go, my names crystal. it's nice to meet you." the woman smiled. she was really beautiful.
i nodded in return and ran upstairs. 
i could finally sleep in peace.
i was woken up a couple hours later by luke telling me my mom had arrived at the house.
"mom!" i smiled as i ran down to hug her.
"hey baby! america looks awesome on you." mom smiled softly.
i nodded in agreement. 
the rest of the night was spent with mom answering emails and barely talking to anyone.
it was 2 am and she was still sitting at the kitchen table when i went to approach her to talk.
"what the fuck do you want?" mom groaned as she took her glasses off.
"never mind." i mumbled as i turned around.
"jesus tory! just spit it out! you come down here and distract me just to say never mind? bull shit speak now!" she spoke as she stood up.
"i said never mind! calm down please." i spoke slightly raising my voice.
"don't you dare raises your voice at me!" mom yelled as she went to slap me.
before her hand could reach me, i felt someone stand in front of me.
"we don't use hitting in my house as a way of communication." ashton spoke firmly.
"why the fuck are you defending her! she interrupts me when i'm working!" mom yelled.
"tiffany sit and calm the fuck down. it's 2 am. tory go upstairs. it's okay." ashton spoke as he gave me a tiny smile.
i nodded and began to walk upstairs when mom grabbed my arm.
ashton quickly intervened once again.
"ashton fuck off! you can't keep me from my own child." mom screamed.
"try me."