Broken

• Chapter 36 •

"This is interesting. It's an article about a specific celebrity, and she's a typical example. We can use her as our main example," Ashton tells me.

We've been working in a pretty civilized manner for the past hour or so, I look up from my stack of papers. He's wearing a dark sweater with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, it's strange seeing him out of uniform.

"It says she was a revolutionary actress. Started out young and got into drugs, she committed suicide," he continues.

Wow, that's dark. Sounds like a lot of celebrities, though. My stomach begins rumbling and Ashton's eyes follow the noise. He glances up at me and I prepare myself for his snarky comments, but he doesn't make any.

He checks his phone for the time and looks back at me, "You hungry?"

Huh? He looks at me like I'm stupid when I stare at him with a dumbfounded expression. "Well... I am, so you wanna grab a bite? Resume later?" he asks.

I clear my throat and shake my head, snapping out of it. "Um, yeah. Fine," I stand up and begin stuffing my things into my backpack. I'm so fucking confused. He rolls his eyes at me, "Relax. Doesn't mean I like you. I'm just hungry," he snaps.

I smirk, ah. What a dick.

___________________

"Hi, what can I get you guys?"

We're at a cute diner across the beach. The smell of burgers, fries, and pizza is intense and makes me happy. "Spicy barbecue chicken pizza and two beers," Ashton tells the waitress.

I raise my eyebrows. Pizza, huh? I hate you a little less, Ashton.

The waitress eyes Ashton up and down and furrows her eyebrows suspiciously, "ID please."

Oh, yeah. He ordered alcohol. I mean sure, he could pass for twenty-one, but now he has to prove it. We're probably gonna get kicked out now. Ashton pulls out his wallet and hands over his ID, stating that he is twenty-one years old. The waitress squints at the ID and returns it to him, writing down his order.

She turns to me, and I don't dare try ordering a beer. I should ask Ashton to hook me up with his fake ID guy.

"Supreme meat lovers pizza and a lemonade," I tell her.

She jots down my order and nods, walking away from our table. My phone buzzes in my pocket, I take it out and remember I removed my password yesterday when I reset my phone and forgot to put another one on. Mental note: put a password back on.

I find a text from Adrien.

Hey babe, what u doing today? You free? x

I turn away from Ashton and text back; I'm working on a research project with Ashton x

Ashton... Like Kate's boyfriend, Ashton?

I make a face to my phone, um yeah? What other one is there in our class? Yep.

Okay... Well, good luck then. Thanks for telling me. I'll call u tonight? x

I sigh. Thanks, kay.

I set my phone down on the table, Ashton gives me a half-glance. "Spicy barbecue chicken, huh? Is it any good?" I feel obliged to speak to him, even though we hate each other's guts.

"Uh, yeah? It's the best," Ashton shrugs, "I don't know what I'd do without pizza."

My heart flutters with excitement, "I know right! I'm the biggest pizza fan in the world."