Broken

• Chapter 94 •

The next two months are spent stressing over my college applications, ignoring mom's growing belly, and spending time with Ashton... A lot of time with Ashton. Since that day with Hassan, he hasn't left me out of his sight. He's like my personal, completely extra and annoying body-guard.

He even sits with me at lunch. At school. In public.

I know.

He asks me about my life back in New York and finds out I'm a car-lover. And I'm thrilled to find out he is one, too. He even tells me little stories about his childhood. When we're alone. Not that Hana and Aya are complaining about his presence, but Adrien's not too happy. He has joined us several times, to claim his territory, or whatever. It was awkward.

I'm happy that he's letting me in. Even though I know it's terrifying and hard for him, he seems at ease around me, and I can't help but feel the same. Maybe we were best friends in another life. But then, just as I feel those twinges again, Kate and Adrien show up in my head. A constant reminder that we're both taken, and we're just friends.

And despite what he said on Halloween, he hasn't acted on his words, nor mentioned them, or showed them ever since. And I'm happy about it. He's becoming an important member of my life, and one of the closest friends I have. I'm relieved he doesn't remember, and that it was just a drunken mistake.

Like I said. It makes things easier. Most girls would laugh too hard at his jokes and try to find excuses to gently press his arm. To touch him. Instead, I argue and roll my eyes and act indifferent. And when I do touch his arm, I shove it. Because that's what friends do.

Besides, I have more important things on my mind. My college application, my future, my... Sibling. My parents can't stop talking about how happy they are that they're having a child. Each time it's mentioned, it's as though a dagger has been plunged into my heart.

Adrien wants me to spend Christmas with him and his family. Yeah. He wants to introduce me to his parents. I panicked and immediately felt uncomfortable. I told him I wasn't ready, and besides... I have to spend Christmas with my own family.

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"I can't believe you're going to Malaysia the first Christmas we're together in years."

Eric sighs as he continues driving to school, "I know. Hey, you can come with us if you want."

I groan, "Ugh, I wish. Anyway, you wanna hang out tonight then? Come over for a pre-Christmas Eve dinner?"

"Christmas Eve is tomorrow."

I roll my eyes, "That's why I said pre-Christmas Eve, hello. You're traveling tomorrow."

He laughs, "Oh, right. Of course, I'll come over."

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"You guys going anywhere for winter break?" I ask Aya and Hana as we lounge on the bleachers in the courtyard.

"Yeah. I'm going back to Oman," Aya tells me. "Egypt," Hana chirps.

"Ugh, so you guys are gonna miss the big New Year's party?"

Aya groans, "Yeah! I'm so mad about it. I told mama to book the tickets after New Years, but nooooo, she doesn't listen to me."

"Oh well. It'll probably be like every other party this year. I'll let you guys know what stupid fight breaks out," I tell them as we stand and make our way to class.

"Alrightyyy. Today is the last day before break, so happy holidays y'all. And I ain't gonna lie, I cannot wait until this day is over," Ms. Shanice huffs. "Now. The semester concludes, which means... Report cards!"

The class grunts and whines. "Ima pass them down now, take yours and pass it down. Parent-teacher conferences will be held after the break."

Parent-teacher conferences are a thing? How horrific. The pile of envelopes slowly but surely makes its way down to me. I take mine and Ashton's out before passing the rest down. "Well? How'd you do?" I ask once I look at mine.

"Straight A's. You?"

I smirk, "Same. Props to you, smartass."

He grins, "Back at you."

"What're you doing for Christmas?" I ponder.

He shrugs, "I don't know. Probably make cookies with the twins and watch Love Actually."

I snort, "What? Supermom Ashton is also a chick-flick lover?" He rolls his eyes, "Don't make that a nickname. And it's a tradition, shut up."

I hold a hand to my mouth to keep from laughing.

A tradition. Does that mean that's what he used to do with his mother? My heart sinks a bit, "Hey. Why don't you come over?"

His eyebrows knit together apprehensively. I shrug, "You could bring the twins... My mom always cooks way too much food, anyway." He gives me an uncomfortable shrug, "I don't know..."

"Come on, it'll be great."

He shakes his head, "I don't want to bother—"

"You won't! I mean... You're not. I want you to be there," I flush as his eyes widen a bit, "I—I mean you and the twins. Of course."

He studies me for a while, then breaks into a slow nod.

"Okay."