Spikes and Soul
Yay! So glad I was able to update today. Thank you all so much for reading this FF. R&R is welcomed greatly :D love all my wonderful readers! There is some fluffy in this chapter XD enjoy.
Quick Note: You should listen to Run by Daughter. it's in the chapter and it kinda goes with it.
Disclaimer : Don't own sing, any of the characters or songs. Just the OCs.
Chapter 2
Ash woke up around one in the afternoon. The teen was only able to receive at least three hours worth of sleep that night. It still wasn't enough, she was exhausted from worrying so much about Johnny. Waking up that afternoon was like a slap in Ashes face. Her blood shot eyes finally fluttered open hesitantly. The teens mind was groggy remembering bits and pieces from the night before. It took a moment to realize the doctor said Ash could come back to the hospital around noon. Ash almost fell out of her bed remembering Johnny was still at the hospital by himself, he could possibly be awake by now. She couldn't imagine how alone or scared Johnny would probably feel to wake up alone and confused in unfamiliar surrounding.
Ash scrambled out of bed ignoring the aching in her neck and back muscles from the long period of time sitting in the waiting room just hours before. The chair she was sitting on that night was beyond uncomfortable and lumpy.
Chucking it to the bathroom, Ash wasted no time doing her business, stripping off the night shirt, and started up the shower. When she was finished she ran a brush through her long quills removing the knots and styling it with a little red bow at the top. Ash continued to get dressed picking out average clothing. She didn't want to dress too nice and make Johnny uncomfortable or feel worse in his condition because he would be in a hospital gown. Ash just picked out a simple lavender scoop neck long sleeve shirt, dark blue skinny jeans, and her favorite all black combat boots.
Going over to the kitchen she rummaged through the pantry fishing out a blueberry muffin and took out the bottle of orange juice. Ash quickly scarfed down the muffin and drank the last of the juice from the carton. Picking up a random guitar case from the living room and her black purse from the love set, Ash left her apartment locking the door and leaving the building. She would have to wait at the bus stop for ten minutes for the next bus to come by. Huffing Ash made it to the stop taking a seat and making a fast phone call to Rosita. Ash didn't have time to call Rosita for about a week because of her recent gigs. The teen waited anxiously while the phone rang, it took a few seconds for Rosita to finally pick up the phone on her end.
"Ash!" Rosita explained excitedly when she finally picked up the phone. Noises of children and pots and pans shuffling could be herd in the background.
"Hi mom. How are you?" Ash asked. She was trying desperately to hide the weariness in her voice after such a long night.
"Oh I'm hanging in there sweetie. I'm making lunch for everyone. Is everything okay? you don't sound very chipper sweetie. Are you getting sick?" Rosita asked with concern coating her voice. Her motherly instincts saw right through Ashes little act.
"I think I'm getting sick my throat hurts. I'm going to the doctors right now." Ash lied. The teen felt really bad for lying to Rosita but she just couldn't chance anyone finding out about Johnny just yet. It was a private matter and Ash didn't want the theater family to look at him any different unless he consented.
"Aww sweetie you get better now. If you need anything please don't hesitate to ask. I'll be more than happy to send Norman to bring you some soup and ginger ale." Rosita said with a smile in her voice making Ash feel slightly worse and guilty.
" Thanks mom. It means a lot to me but I'm sure I'll manage." Ash said sounding sheepish and awkward.
" Oh and I have great news! Your dad is off for three weeks! He's using his vacation time finally! I'm so excited and so are the kids!" Rosita piped up.
"That's awesome! About time they approved his request." Ash smirked. She was truly glad Norman got his vacation days to help Rosita some and spend time with his family. The pig worked hard for his family and he deserved time off far and square.
"Yes. Maybe if you're feeling better this weekend we can all take a trip to the beach. Would you want to go?" Rosita asked.
"Yeah definitely! I haven't been able to go in ages." Ash giggled. The conversation was making her feel less melancholy and more positive. The teen hadn't been to the beach in two years. It would definitely be a nice relaxing vacation after such a long year.
"Yay! It's going to be nice. HEY PUT THAT SODA BACK IN THE FRIDGE ITS FOR DINNER! How many times do I have to tell you Tommy? Agh these kids... I got to go love you Ash have a good day." Rosita said while she was literally chasing one of the kids who was running around the kitchen with a bottle of cola in his stubby hands.
"Hehe Bye mom Love you too. Tell everyone I said hi." Ash giggled hanging up the phone. She didn't understand how the house wife managed staying sane with twenty five piglets and a constantly working husband. The teen truly admired Rosita for it.
XxX
By the time Ash made it to Johnnies hospital room, she was relieved to see he was still fast asleep. Her worries of him waking up were quickly diminished. The young gorilla still looked horrible with all the wires and IVs covering his body like a virus. Johnnies face was still bruised up pretty bad with a few stitches but no blood luckily. Around his eyes were turning a dark purple were he was punched in the face. Johnny was out like a light with the occasional rise and fall of his chest from breathing. There was a few bandages around his neck and probably under his hospital gown. Johnny was covered up by a large white blanket. The thin fabric was covering him except for his muscular arms that were spread out in front of him.
The teen sighed loudly putting her guitar case and purse down on the empty hospital bed next to Johnnies. Ash was grateful that no other patients shared the same room. It would have made the situation a lot more awkward. Questions would definitely be asked and the last thing Ash wanted to do was answer them. She grabbed the guest seat a few meters away dragging it over to the side of Johnnies bed. The teen sat down on the chair looking over Johnnies sleeping form with tired green eyes.
Ash couldn't comprehend why she felt so affected by Johnny in the first place. She didn't ever show this much concern for anyone else in her whole entire life after her parents died. The only exception was Rosita and her family but that was pretty much it. Even Lance wasn't given such a honor when they were together. Ash was much more selfish and closed in when it came to her emotions and feelings.
And yet here Ash was in a hospital room waiting for a possible criminal to wake up. Johnny really got himself into a fix with the lions the night before. Ash could have been caught in the middle of it if one of the beasts discovered her whereabouts. Yes, Ash could have easily left during Johnnies surgery avoiding the whole situation all together, but she didn't. Ash literally couldn't bring herself too just leave Johnny after everything that happened . The teen felt something stir for Johnny deep down in her heart pulling at her emotions like strings to a puppet. If Ash could compare it to anything it felt almost like the feeling of longing she had never experienced before. It wasn't lust either, it was more real. All the raw emotions were hitting Ash all at once confusing her and making her stomach turn.
Looking over at Johnny, his face contorted with a pained expression as whimpers and moans escaped his lips. The young gorilla was having a nightmare. Johnny started to thrash around his neck and arms Despite the pain from all the wires and bandages. Not thinking logically, Ash couldn't help but hesitantly reached out for Johnnies face stroking it softly. She ran her nimble fingers through his ebony fur coating his cheek trying to comfort him. Ashes stomach started to do a flip flop when Johnny whined softly at the contact and stopped moving.
The teen was relieved when Johnny relaxed some. Ash was going to let go of Johnnies face when one of his big hands cupped over her small one in his sleep. The move really startled Ash making her gasp out in surprise. A heavy blush highlighted her cheek quills at the random contact. Not wanting to move and wake Johnny up, Ash left her hand there for awhile. The teen really didn't mind it all to much, even secretly admitting to herself that she kinda liked it. Ash was even brave enough to savor the moment. Going far enough to notice Johnnies fur to be thick with a slightly smooth texture.
Yawning Ash was fighting to stay awake. She still had her hand under Johnnies on his face not wanting to move it. The teen was finally growing tired from the lack of sleep. Everything was taking it's toll on Ash. After a good hour of just sitting there she finally fell asleep snoring away. Ash made herself comfortable using Johnnies chest as a pillow.
XxX
It was around four in the evening when Ash finally woke up. Her eyes remained closed. This time Ash felt more rested compared to the night pervious. What ever the teen was laying on was soft and fleshy. Ash jumped when she heard soft beating noises underneath her ear. The teens eyes shot open instantly. Ash realized she was half laying on Johnny. Her hand was intertwined with Johnnies near his neck. Gasping in panic Ash snatched her hand away and scampered back into the seat sitting up straight. The teens quills shot the bed behind her. Ashes green eyes swiftly landed on Johnny with some relief, he was still sound asleep not woken up by all the movement or noise of the quills landing. Growling Ash rubbed her temples disappointed in herself. The teens cheeks turned red like a tomato in embarrassment.
When Ash relaxed some , she turned the chair away from Johnny looking around the small room. She spotted her forgotten guitar case laying out on the extra bed where she had left it. Reaching over she grabbed the cloth case and unzipped it. Hissing to herself inside was the old black acoustic guitar with band stickers all over it. The guitar was her first, it was given to Ash by a fellow orphan who left it behind for her many years back. The teen had honestly thought she grabbed the right one before leaving the apartment. Ash cursed under her breath, the teen honestly thought she brought her electric guitar.
Taking the guitar out of the case anyways. Ash strummed the strings softly, tuning the strings some. In a way it was a blessing in disguise, she wouldn't wake Johnny up if she were to play. When the guitar was tuned just right Ash began to play a slow melody by memory, she didn't need to use a song book. Without thinking about it, the teen started singing along to Run by Daughter softly out of habit. It was one of the first song she ever learned to play.
The last words to the song were sung in a whisper. Ash exhaled feeling as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders. The song still held its own place in Ashes broken heart. The bitter sweet feeling felt the same like the last time she sang Run three years ago. The song related to how alone Ash felt in the world at times, even when she was dating Lance. The teen never felt any genuine love from any of her past boyfriends. Like Lance, they were all selfish and egotistical with a lack of being sentimental or sensitive. She truly wished to find Mr. Right. A guy who would be willing to hear her out and lift her up whenever she felt battered or depressed. Ash wanted to find a guy who was even willing enough to run away with her.
Ashes moment of silence was shortly lived however when a masculine cough was made behind her catching the teen off guard. Flipping the chair around, Ashes face turned beat red, the realization sunk in. Johnny must have heard her and woke up. The teen tried her hardest not to let the readied quills leave her back.
"That was really good..." Johnnies raspy and tired voice finally spoke. He was now wide awake with a lazy half smile gracing his bruised lips. His bruised brown eyes were half open. They held a small level of amusement.
"Johnny..." Ash choked out. The teen started to sob, she couldn't control her emotions or actions at the moment. Jumping out of the chair, Ash dashed to Johnnies side pulling him into a bear hug. She squeezed the heck out of Johnny making him cough. The pressure of Ashes weight was hurting the stab wound.
"Ash your kinda hurting me.." Johnny rasped out in his British accent. He was enjoying the hug from a cute and concerned girl but not the pain it brought to his chest.
"So sorry.. Oh my god I thought you were going to die last night! If I wouldn't have found you...Agh.. I don't even want to think about that!" Ash yelled once she let go of Johnny and punched him in the shoulder. She took a seat on the edge of his bed half glaring at him.
"I'm sorry for scaring you Ash.. Thanks for saving me.. How long have I been out for?" Johnny said while rubbing circles to ease the pain away from his beefy shoulder where Ash hit him.
"You've only been asleep for a few hours. You have some stab wounds and a broken hip when the doctor checked in with me yesterday."
"Ughhh no wonder why I feel like I got hit with a bloody semi truck.." Johnny groaned rubbing circles on his temples.
"Who ever Matt was beat the crap out of you... And by the way Johnny you have some explaining to do... How did you end up in such a reck in the first place? I saw half of it and I could have gotten killed if any of them spotted me.." Ash snapped without really meaning to. She was still trying to make sense of the whole situation. Could Ash trust Johnny with answering the question? Ash didn't know but she tried anyways.
"You do deserve an explanation Ash and I will give it to you..." Johnny said awkwardly. The young gorilla seemed to be hesitant on what he was about to say before continuing on. "Well last night I.. I went to watch you preform at 'The Swing.. You looked great up there by the way... Your voice is amazing.." Johnny was looking down at his hands and scratching his neck shyly.
"You went to my concert?" Ash gasped. The teens brown cheek fur betrayed her, tinting a red blush. She never imagined Johnny would willingly see her in concert. It touched her heart.
"Towards the end of your song Set it all Free Matt and his gang found me and took me out. I couldn't out wit or out run three of them. That's when they dragged me into an alleyway and beat me. My dad dragged me into his gang but I declined.. I became a singer instead.. Now all his past is catching up with me instead of him... He owes Matt a million... The lions and gorillas have been at war for years.. Right now my dads in prison.. Shit... Now they're going after my dad... I need to tell him right now..." Johnny panicked remembering Matts last words. trying to get out of his hospital bed Johnny winced in pain from his broken hip.
Ash pushed him back down softly trying not to hurt him even more then he already was. Pity and concern surfacing in her green eyes. " Johnny please don't do this to yourself. None of this Is your fault, you're caught in the middle of it. I know you're worried about your dad but you can't see him in the state your in. You can barely get up without being in pain." Ash warned softly. Bravery engulfed her and she took Johnnies hand in hers rubbing his big knuckles with her small thumb.
Johnny relaxed some closing his eyes. "The worst part is that I can't go back home either... I'm sure Matt has watchers.." It was true the lions wouldn't think twice about killing Johnny for good the second time if it was discovered that he was still alive.
"When you're discharged you can stay at my apartment. I won't mind taking care of you for a few weeks." Ash offered. She really didn't want to leave Johnny so defenseless with lions trying to assassinate him.
"No I couldn't do that Ash. You've done so much for me already.." Johnny pleaded. He really didn't want to impose on Ashes life or put her in the line of danger for helping him.
"Yes you are going to stay at my apartment and I won't take no for an answer.." Ash huffed. Her stubborn side was shining a bit to bright. She would not let Johnny die, she even said so the night before when he almost did.
"Fine I will." Johnny rolled his eyes underneath his eyelids. A certain porcupine was going to be the end of him, first waking up to her beautiful song and now a personal nurse. His crush for her was finally recognized and grounded. Staying with Ash for a few weeks was going to be interesting to say the least. And possibly embarrassing on Johnnies part some days.
until next chapter.