Broken

• Chapter 88 •

"CLEMENTINE."

I jump back as the front door closes behind me.

Shit...

I walk up to my furious parents and offer a sheepish smile, "Hi..."

"Don't hi me," dad's eyebrows are slammed down.

"Where have you been? We were worried sick!" mom looks like she's about to cry.

"I know, I should've called—"

"YOU THINK?" dad bellows, and I stagger back in surprise.

I've never seen him this angry before... Other than the time I told him about being harassed.

Mom's face softens, "We can't afford to lose you, Minty..." her voice is worn out.

I study them and realize they both look tired. Like they've been up all night. Comprehension dawns on me when I understand why they're freaking out so much.

"DO YOU KNOW HOW SCARED WE WERE? THAT DEREK HAD FOUND YOU SOMEHOW? THAT YOU WERE KIDNAPPED? KILLED?" mom's voice quivers, "After what happened to you..." she's crying, now.

A lump rises in my throat, my stomach swarms with guilt. Dad's eyes soften as he looks at mom and brings her into his arms, rubbing her back comfortingly, "Hey... It's okay..."

Crap. I really upset them... I guess I would've been worried if I were in their shoes, too.

"I'm sorry, you're right... I was irresponsible and inconsiderate. I didn't think anything through," I tell them truthfully.

Dad studies me. "I'm sorry," I repeat.

"Explain yourself."

I sigh, "Okay, well... I was at the Halloween party. And Ashton was pretty drunk and upset for some reason, so I decided I'd give him a ride home. It's the least I owe him after he saved my life... And anyway, he kind of fell asleep. So I had to take him inside his house and all," I'm nervously rambling, trying hard not to let slip any unnecessary details of the night.

"And after you called, I was about to leave. But then he asked me to stay, and he just looked so upset... So I thought I'd stay with him until he fell asleep. But then I fell asleep. And now here we are," I shrug lamely. What a lame story. I hope they don't think I'm lying. It sounds like a stupid lie, but it's the truth!

"Did anything happen between you two?" dad's eyebrows knit together.

My cheeks flame, "No! No, of course not. Dad, we're both in relationships with other people," I mumble. The guilt is like gasoline in my guts. I'm such a horrible fucking girlfriend. Should I tell Adrien about last night?

Just the thought is horrifying and dreadful, I shake my head and decide against it. It's not like Ashton and I are ever gonna speak again, anyway.

"You're still grounded," dad tells me, but has cooled off by now.

I groan, "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously!" mom snaps.

"Now go take a shower. You reek of alcohol," dad says.

___________________

I've showered, I've eaten, I've done my chores, and I'm almost done with my college application. I'd say I'm having a pretty productive day.

I read over the introduction to my personal essay and edit and reword a few things to seem smarter than I actually am. I've been certain about wanting to submit my application under another name for years, to get in for actually deserving it, not because I'm Aurora and Brandon Charmant's daughter. But right now, I'm having second thoughts.

What if I'm not good enough? What if I get rejected? I've always wanted to go to Columbia. My mom and I talked about it since I was little. She got in but didn't get the chance to go because her father wouldn't allow it. I have the opportunity to go for her, for us.

I shake my head dismissively, no matter. I want to get in because I've earned it. I'm sure of it. I sigh and stand from my chair, plopping down on my bed. I've earned a break, at least. But it's as though the universe is against me because as soon as my back hits the mattress, the doorbell goes off.

Who's here? Is it guests? Do I have to socialize? I groan and bury my head in the pillow, hoping it's just girl-scouts. Maybe mom will buy me cookies to thank me for my hard work today!

The doorbell rings again and I lazily jog towards the front door, remembering that mom and dad are napping right now.

My heart plummets when I open the door.

"Ashton..."

He looks up at me with nervous eyes, his hair is wet. Good, he showered.

"Hey... We need to talk," he tells me.

Fuck. What? ABOUT WHAT? DOES HE REMEMBER? My heart trudges in my chest and my throat runs dry.

"Uhm—now's not a good time... I—"

"Who's at the door?" dad peeps his head out of their room, then makes his way towards us, "What's going on?"

Ashton shrugs, "Hey, sir. I just wanted to speak with Min—"

My heart skips a beat, a blush spreads through his cheeks as he clears his throat. "Uh... Clementine. For a second," he finishes coolly.

Brandon nods, "Normally I'd be okay with that, but she's grounded."

Embarrassment washes through every pore in my body. How humiliating. Me. Grounded. I HAVE NEVER BEEN GROUNDED IN MY LIFE! I'VE ALWAYS LIVED AWAY FROM THEM. I feel like a child. I internally wish I would disappear.

Ashton's eyebrows furrow a little, "Oh... Why?"

"Because she spent the whole night with you without consulting us about it first," dad tells him.

God. Please. Take me.

Ashton flicks his eyes at me for a second, having his suspicions confirmed. Fuck, well now that's out of the bag. He knows I spent the fucking night. Great work, dad. Just awesome. You fucking rock!

"I'm sorry, sir. I take full responsibility for that. It was my fault, I was extremely irresponsible and stupid and got drunk last night. Clementine was only being a good friend and looking out for me," Ashton shocks me by saying this.

Friend? We're friends, now? This boy needs to make up his damn mind about whether or not he wants me in his life. I'm completely surprised at his behavior so far, this was the last thing I was expecting.

Dad remains silent for a while, "I'm not mad at either one of you. Minty here just needs to learn a little lesson about responsibility," dad smirks smugly.

I roll my eyes at him, "Yeah yeah, I get it. I deserve it, I said I'm sorry."

Ashton purses his lips, "So... That's a no to talking to her, then..?"

My stomach clenches. Why does Ashton wanting to talk to me scare and excite me so much at the same time? AGH. Stupid boys having stupid effects on stupid girls!

Dad sighs, "Fine, but I wanna show you the new track first!" he grins goofily.

Ashton's eyes light up, "No way. You'd let me have a peek?"

Dad nods, "Come on, buddy."

I grimace, my eyes grow wide in horror at whatever it is I'm witnessing. Now I know I'm dreaming. This is all too weird.

"Sorry. You're gonna have to wait," Ashton shrugs and scurries off after dad.