Resistance • l.h.

Fourty Seven

As soon as Luke drove off, I gave a few light knocks on the door. I was met with an excited Ashton Irwin, who was grinning as wide as the freaking Cheshire Cat.

"Cami!" He shouted, and I ran into his arms. He picked me up, my feet flying off the floor for a couple seconds. I both hated and loved being short. "Happy belated birthday! I can't believe I missed it."

"I missed you, Ash," I giggled when he put me down. "It's alright. I had one of the best birthdays I've ever had."

"I'm glad. And I missed you too," he said as we walked to his room, which was ten times nicer than mine. It looked like it should've belonged on Tumblr. Record albums were lined up nicely on the wall; there wasn't an empty spot. There was a window right next to the bed, which had an assortment of cozy bluish, grayish blankets and pillows messily tossed on its surface. Next to his bed was the desk, housing many of his plants, along with the laptop and the books he was currently reading. Lastly, his drum set was against his chalkboard wall, always begging to be played.

"I swear, after going into your room, I never wanna leave," I say, flopping down onto his soft bed.

Ashton gawked at me for a while before smiling widely. "You're literally glowing."

I gave him a strange look, nudging him on his arm. "Psh, what are you even talking about, ya weirdo?"

"You're happier," he stated, "a lot happier than the last time I saw you."

"Oh," I mumbled as I flushed, "I guess so."

He gasped at my reaction, quickly climbing onto the bed next to me.

"It's a boy isn't it? You met someone in Chicago?" He asked eagerly, reminding me of a hyper puppy.

I laughed, not being able to resist the urge of running my hand through his luscious long hair.

"Something like that."

"Well? The f.uck you waiting for? Tell me!"

I wanted to. I wanted to tell him more than anything in the world. But when I remembered his last reaction, I was terrified.

"I don't know," I said sadly, "you're not gonna like it. You'll think I'm disgusting and most likely hate me afterward."

He frowned. "Trust me, Cami. Nothing you could say would ever make me hate you."

I held my breath. "It's Luke."

"What about Luke?"

"...He's the guy."

"So you and your step-father worked things out? That's great!" Ashton said, and I cringed when I heard him use step-father. He clearly did not get what I was saying.

"No, Ash," I groaned, not wanting to furthermore explain. "I...love him. I'm in love with him. And he loves me."

This made Ashton's eyes pop out of his head. I watched his adorable face slowly grow older as a mask of seriousness took over his features. After silence that lasted for what seemed like an eternity, I was grateful when he finally spoke up again. "Explain."

I let out a relieved sigh. At least he wasn't getting mad or jumping to conclusions. I started talking, explaining the whole story to my best friend, who was listening in an eerie silence. He was one to always butt in, say ridiculous things in the middle of stories. This time, he didn't say a word. Ashton didn't even look at me for half the time.

I told him about that morning in the kitchen when Luke touched me, thinking it was my mother. I told him when I started falling for him, and when I found the box. I told him about the times on the trip, how he told me he loved me. I even vaguely told him that we made love-more like f.ucked, but he didn't need to know that-when we were in Chicago and I thought he was going to lose it there.

"And that's why I said what I did in the park. I wanted to tell you then, Ash, but I was so afraid of losing you. And Luke. I was a minor then and if anyone knew, he could easily have been put in jail. He's talking to Jocelyn right now about the divorce," I finished up, tears brimming my eyes.

Ashton looked at the ground and ran a hand through his hair, trying to process everything I said. When he didn't say anything for a good five minutes, I started standing up.

"I'm sorry, Ashton. I shouldn't have come here. I'll go-"

I couldn't finish my sentence before I was brought into his embrace. I let some tears fall, wrapping my arms around him as best as I could.

"I love you Cami, and I always will. I could never hate you. I may not agree with what's happening, but it's obvious you two love each other. I always knew there was something between you two, by the way you watched him when he wasn't looking, and the way he admired you when you were looking away," he told me, and I sniffled as I let out a small chuckle.

"As wrong as this whole situation is, I support you, and I promise I'll be there if you need me," he whispered. He always knew the words I needed to hear.

"Thank you. I'm so lucky I have you," I said, and he pulled away, taking my face into his large hands. He used a thumb to wipe a tear away.

"Guys! Dinner!" I heard Ashton's mom call from down the hall.

"Coming!" Ashton hollered back. He stared at me for a while before blurting out, "It's too bad I'm gay." He gave me a goofy smile.

"And why is that?" I asked, mirroring his contagious expression.

"Because you'd be a great girlfriend," he said, cheekily, "and you have a great ass."

I rolled my eyes. "You're a dick."

"Correction," he said, both of us getting up to join his family at the table, "I like dicks."

HAHA well. This was fun to write. I'm thinking about updating every two days from now on because school and this book is slowly coming to an end. Don't worry, it won't be over anytime soon, but I want to make it last :) thanks for understanding guys!