"Nice couple," he finally says.
I snort, "You don't know the half of it."
Ashton looks like he's about to have a panic attack. This is ridiculous.
"Ashton... Why are you so against meeting them? You're fucking sweating. They're not going to kill you for knowing their identity or some shit, I swear."
He clenches his jaw and shakes his head, "I have to make a phone-call."
"Oh. Okay," I press my lips together and begin walking towards my room.
This is going to be awkward and uncomfortable, especially if he's this worked up on being anywhere near them. What's the big deal? It's not like I'm introducing him as my boyfriend for him to not be ready. He's so weird sometimes.
"Hey, Vanessa. Are you guys okay?"
I peek my head out of my room and watch Ashton who has his back to me, phone pressed to his ear.
"Did you guys eat the pasta I made for you? Mhm. Yeah. It's in the fridge. The red container. Okay, good. Did you finish all your homework? Okay. Make sure you brush your teeth before you go to bed. I won't be back before your bedtime, but I'll be home as soon as I can. Yeah... I'm with her. Haha, I'll tell her you said so. Make sure the front door is locked."
I find myself smiling and quickly snap out of it. I'm eavesdropping. Even if he's talking to his sister. I slip into my room and start organizing all the papers we've left scattered on my desk and bed.
I'm so distracted that I don't realize Ashton's standing in my doorway. I jump back in surprise, "What the fuck."
He almost smiles. Almost.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you standing in a doorway is creepy?" I tease.
He doesn't respond, he just stares at me with an expression I can't read. Okay. Moving on.
"Everything okay?"
"Hm?"
"With the phone call..?"
He slowly nods his head in comprehension, "Oh. Yeah. Everything's cool."
"How are the twins?" I kind of miss them.
"Fine."
He stares at random objects. He's becoming distant and cold, again. I thought I was making progress? Agh.
Ashton, you're an annoying fucking mystery.
"How are your bruises?" he asks as if he's asking me if I've finished the homework.
It's so nonchalant that I don't realize what he's asking for a few moments. I shrug, "Better. They don't hurt anymore, some of them are starting to fade. How's your first? Oh, wait. Fists," I quip.
He studies me, and instead of coming up with a smart-ass remark or ignoring me completely, he walks up to me, "Better."
The hairs on the back of my neck stand still. My heart is beating ferociously. Why am I suddenly so goddamn nervous around him? Why is he getting close to me? Do I have something on my face?
"Listen. I—"
"MINTY, COME SET THE TABLE!" dad bellows, and interrupts Ashton.
"No, you idiot! You can set it up!" I hear mom hiss at him, "NO MINTY! NEVER MIND! WE DON'T NEED YOU. JUST... STAY!"
I rub my temples and shrug sheepishly. I look up at Ashton in curiosity. But he's shaking his head to himself, as though snapping out of something. He doesn't continue.
YOU ARE READING
Broken
Teen Fiction"Clementine..." his voice is gentle, as though he's reading my mind. He searches my eyes, concern seeps through his features. I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't like this display of affection. I can take care of myself, I don't need his or any...
