Caleb’s P.O.V

Chris and I were on our way to the Thanksgiving Bash. Chris had already rented the hotel room, giving us plenty of time to get the tickets.

“I’m Caleb Jones, I'm here for the tickets.” The guy behind the glass frowned when I gave him my driver's license.

“You're not 18?”

“I'm 17.”

“I'm sorry but you can't get the tickets. They're selling alcohol, so no one under age is allowed. Sorry, kid.” What the hell? I spent the last three days waiting for this and now I can't even get in through the front door. Chris pulled me to this side ,leaning on his car.

“Maybe we could go another time. We could go back home and catch a movie or something. I didn't know-”

“Call Liam. Maybe he can get a hold of Alex.”

“What?” I repeated myself. Chris shifted his weight into his other foot, pulling out his phone. After a minute of silence, Chris let out a sigh.

“Liam isn't picking up his phone. Alex and Liam are probably busy with  ST3LLAR.”

“Okay… I guess we can leave.” The drive back to the hotel was painfully long. When he arrived back at the hotel, I went straight to my room and laid in bed. I bet my mom would have her famous ‘I told you so’ look stamped on her face. I could tell that she disliked ST3LLAR, but she wasn't going to do anything drastic to stop me from listening to their music.

“Caleb, I'm going to get some donuts from Dunkin Donuts. Maybe that'll cheer you up. I'll be back in half an hour.” I grunted in response. A pile of donuts would probably make me feel better.

“Okay.” Chris grabbed his keys and walked right out of the door. The bed seemed to drag my mood down with each passing second so I decided to go down to the lobby. It was crowded with ST3LLAR fans and guests. I tried to walk past them, but I ended up on the ground.

Someone grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled me up. I didn't get a chance to see who it was until I was inside one of the hotel rooms.

“Hey Caleb.” I looked up at the spiky-haired guy. I smiled at the guy.

“H-Hello.” He turned to the group of guys sprawled over the couch. It was ST3LLAR! They were right there in front of me. Literally, like a couple of feet away from me! I had to lean against the door frame to keep myself from passing out.

Jackson was sitting in between Maddy and Luke, glued to his phone. Luke was throwing daggers at Alex with his eyes and Maddy seemed off. He kept laughing for no reason. Who cares if they weren't paying attention to me, I was in their hotel room!

“What the hell is going on? You guys are suppose to be getting ready for your performance. Get dressed, now!” Jackson slowly got up from the couch, but he was still glued to his phone.

I took a step over to Maddy. His hair was matted to his head and he looked pale. While Alex cussed Luke out, I helped Maddy up. We were the same height.

“Are you okay?” He nodded, then shook his head.

“It hurtz...too mush juice!” Maddy flinched and started crying. I didn't know what to do. Juice?

“Calm down. Are you hurt? Do you need me to-” Before I could finish my sentence, Maddy barfed on my shirt. Everyone's attention turned to us. Oh, now people want to pay attention to me.

“Are you freakin’ kidding me?” Maddy passed out on the floor a second layer. I immediately pulled off my shirt and threw it in the nearest corner. My upper body was exposed. It was my favorite shirt for crying out loud. Alex ran over to Maddy.

“Call the ambulance. Jackson, get some ice or something, he's burning up. Now I have to cancel the show.”

I wasn't completely grossed out, so I leaned down to get a closer look at the pale boy’s face. There was a bluish purple bruise on his cheek. What happened to him?

Something good came out of this. Now no one will be able to see the show. I smiled to myself. I guess the world has given me a speck of light.

♪♪♪

Luke's P.O.V.

Two things happened the day after Maddy was admitted to a hospital. One,   the Thanksgiving Bash was cancelled. The band got more hate than I thought it would. Alex took everything off our schedule until 'futher notice’. Two, the guy Maddy threw up on turned out to be a die-hard fan so was allowed to stay with us until 'futher notice’.  

Jackson and Alex had left to visit Maddy, and I had to babysit the bastard. He was staring at me.

“Do you mind?”

“I'm sorry, it's just that-”

“I don't care. Stop staring at me.”

The kid shut his mouth and turned back to the T.V. He stared at the floor and started pulling at his sleeve. I felt a little pain in my chest, but I ignored it. The silence was making me uncomfortable.

“Caleb, was it? So...um you like my music?”

“Of course!” He smiled at me. His eyes seemed to sparkle in the dim room. “Your new song ‘Liquor’ is fucking amazing. It's already number three on the charts. I already know all of the words to the song, and I'm waiting for the next album.” He stopped talking and looked at the ground again.

“Why'd you stop talking? I like your voice.” His cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

“I talk too much. I’m sorry.” Caleb’s smile faded and he turned back to the wooden floor.

The silence invited itself back into the room and I sighed. Jackson and Alex need to hurry up. It isn't like Maddy died. I needed some fucking loving people in my life too. If I broke both my legs, I guarantee that no one would be waiting to see me.

“Caleb?”

“What's wrong?”  He asked, tilting his head to the side. I needed someone. I needed to feel like I was loved, even if it was from a complete stranger. I grabbed Caleb’s shoulders and forced a kiss onto his lips. He seemed confused at first, but he seemed to understand what I was doing. My lips started to move downward. He sighed with pleasure when I found his sweet spot. My hands fumbled with the front of his shirt, but I managed to get it off. Then I stopped.

I'd seen his chest before, but not up close. His ribs were practically poking out of his skin. Scars were scattered across his stomach, some of them newer than others. I slowly backed away from the die-hard fan. The stranger.

I shouldn't have done that. I shouldn't have touched him to begin with. “Did you do that? That’s disgusting. You need help.”

Caleb looked at me with the saddest expression I've ever seen in my entire life. He covered up his body and crumpled to the ground. “I-I- I...uh” He was shaking so badly that he couldn't even get his words out.

I’m such a hypocrite.