Ashton dreamed strange dreams.

He dreamed that he was standing upon a path of pure starlight, beautiful ribbons of colour stood out to him against a dark backdrop, little distant light twinkling at him, though he wasn’t sure what they were, perhaps they were streetlights.

He remembered stepping forwards, his movements slow as if he were moving through treacle, his arms extended either side of him as he moved gracefully.

He took another step forward, his face feeling heavy, he recognised the sensation. Even in his dream, he was wearing a lot of makeup, and as he twisted his body around, arching his back, he glanced down at himself, seeing his clothes were brightly coloured and seductive, showing a brave amount of skin.

He turned around again, feeling the wind of the world blowing around him, buffeting his hair and clothes this way and that. He extended his arm forwards then, fingers splayed.

He closed his hand around the pole, feeling the cool sensation of the metal upon his skin.

He opened his eyes.

Ashton lay on his back. For a few moments he did not move, simply laying there and staring up at the ceiling.

He shifted slightly, realising his was in a bed, and then he felt the aches all over his body, remembering suddenly what had happened.

I fell. I was thinking about him…and I fell.

He grimaced then, lifting his head off the pillow.

He heard movement by his side, a voice speaking softly his name.

‘Ashton.’

He looked around, seeing his sister’s concerned face. She was leaning forwards in her chair now, one hand reaching forwards towards the bed, she grasped his arm lightly.

‘How do you feel?’

Ashton blinked at her wearily, trying to gather his thoughts, not speaking at first, he glanced past his sister, and towards the figures of his parents.

All three of them had brought chairs up alongside his bed, and had sat there for however long it had taken for him to wake up. Isaac looked back at him with concern, Maya on the other hand was glaring, lips pursed and body tense.

She was not happy.

‘I’m so glad you’re awake’ Alicia was saying as Ashton gingerly propped himself up in bed, moving tentatively as he took mental note of where the pains were in his body and how much they hurt.

He didn’t want to move too much or too fast.

‘I’m not happy with you’ his mother spoke up then, her tone harsh, no longer her cheery self. ‘Not happy. At all.’

Ashton raised his head then, looking over at her.

She sat with her back straight, hands upon her lap, and very, very tense, and very, very angry.

Though she contained her full rage, Ashton could see clearly how mad she was. It was very rare that she would be like this. Only one time before when Ashton had really messed up, back when he was much younger.

‘There there’ Isaac said then, trying to calm his wife. ‘It was just an accident’ he laughed awkwardly. ‘No need to get mad.’

But Maya appeared to completely ignore him, continuing to stare at Ashton unblinkingly.

‘Mother just stop’ Alicia spoke irritant back at her without turning away from Ashton. ‘Just leave him be.’

Maya did not turn away.

‘It was just an accident’ Alicia went on, ‘he’s never fallen before, this is the first…’

‘So how often do you do dangerous things like this?’ Maya asked the both of them, but she was looking at Ashton.

He simply hunched his shoulders, avoiding her gaze.

‘Why did you fall’ Alicia asked him, her voice tender. ‘You seemed distracted, was something on your mind?’

Ashton did not speak, but his eyes widened a little then as he stared back at his sister, his expression almost pleading.

‘That’s it!’ Isaac spoke in his booming, beating his fist into his other hand, suddenly very lively and excited. ‘Its because he’s excited at the idea of getting married! That must be it! Is your sister right? Were you distracted? Where you thinking of your fiancée?’

‘Well…’ Ashton began reluctantly. ‘I guess I was…a little…’

‘Excellent!’ his father boomed, holding his arms out open as if in celebration. ‘This is most excellent news! You are excited I can tell! You are already beginning to fall in love!’

Ashton just stared mutely back at his father, unable to speak.

Beside Isaac, Maya still sat frozen, back straight and body tense. She still continued to stare at Ashton.

He began to feel very uncomfortable then, pierced by her gaze.

‘I um…’ Ashton fumbled, trying to find his words. ‘I think I’m going to rest.’

‘I think that’s his way of saying he wants to be alone’ Alicia spoke firmly to their parents.

‘Come on now darling’ Isaac said to Maya then, hooking his arm through hers. ‘Let’s go see what colour the flowers we planted turned out to be.’

Alicia lingered for a moment, hanging back to make sure they both went ahead of her before following after them.

She paused at the door, smiling back at Ashton.

‘Sorry’ she said to him then, ‘she’s just worried’ she said, referring to their mother. ‘You know how she gets.’

‘Yeah’ Ashton laughed awkwardly. ‘Its not often she’s that mad though.’

She smiled at him.

‘I’ll leave you to rest. If you need me just call ok?’

Ashton glanced around towards the beside table, seeing his mobile placed upon there. She had brought it for him.

‘Thanks’ he muttered with a smile.

‘Is there anything else I can get you?’ she offered.

‘Nah thanks’ he smiled. ‘I’m good.’

‘I hope you feel alright.’

‘I’ll be fine’ Ashton spoke confidently to her. ‘It doesn’t hurt that much.’

‘The doctor is on his way here to check you out.’

‘Oh no that’s not really necessary’ Ashton fumbled then, feeling suddenly a little embarrassed at the idea of a doctor examining him.

‘No really’ Alicia sighed exasperated then, ‘mother has insisted. You know she won’t take no for an answer.’

Ashton slumped his shoulders then, supressing a groan.

‘Fine’ he grumbled.

‘Just go along with it to keep her happy’ Alicia smiled.

‘Sure.’

‘I’ll let you rest’ she said, dipping her head then and turning away.

Ashton glanced back up at her just as she was closing the door.

He was left alone now, looking back briefly at his mobile on the table beside him, before his gaze drifted out the window.

It was a beautiful day outside, and the sunlight cascading in the room warmed the air up to a comfortable degree.

Ashton eased himself carefully back down into the bed, shifting gingerly as he moved to lie on his side, resting with his arm folded beneath the pillow.

The sunlight shone through the windows upon the bed, warming the thin sheets, and Ashton was comfortable.

He let out a sigh, closing his eyes.

He began to drift off.