Broken

• Chapter 111 •

The weekend has been eventful. Since Ashton and I finally decided to accept our feelings, I've felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I feel light, happy, myself. We've agreed to take things slow, and it's working so far.

But hell, it's just been a weekend.

"Minty! You'll be late for school!"

I pick up my bag and rush outside, only to find Eric waiting for me. "I'll drive you today," he tells me.

"So, are you guys all good now? You left me a very shady and mysterious message including a lot of giggling so I don't wanna know what you guys have been up to this weekend—"

I snort and shove him. "Yeah shut up. Everything's good, but we're keeping it on the DL for now. So no blabbing," I snap.

He smirks, "You look happy. Glowing even, are you pregnant?"

My jaw drops, "As if! I've been on the pill ever since I thought sex with Adrien was a possibility—" the words are like lead after Adrien. Shit. I've moved on so quickly, he definitely can't know about Ashton and I yet. I don't want to hurt him any more than I have.

Eric notices my shift in tone and knits his eyebrows in concern, "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, "Nothing, other than I'm a shitty person. Adrien can't find out about Ashton, not yet. I wanna give it some time."

He nods thoughtfully, "Yeah. The guy was totally in love with you, might not want to do that to him so soon."

My gut twists, "Shut up, he wasn't." Eric's eyebrows fly up in mockery, "Tell me you're not that stupid."

I wince, "Just please drop it or I'll throw up. I already feel nauseous with guilt."

He laughs, "You're so dramatic. Anyway. Adrien is too sensitive for you, Ashton's a much better fit."

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. He approves of Ashton?

He smiles softly, "He makes you happy. That's all I want for you."

I blush and smile shyly, shaking my head. "What about you?" I poke. He shrugs uncomfortably, "What about me?"

"Have you talked to Isabella about University?"

Silence. Eric's face falls, his eyes darken. He forces a small smile and shrugs dismissively, "Not really. We've been in a weird awkward angry painful stage where we're not talking."

I press my lips together, my heart aches for them. He lets out a shaky breath. "I hate it," he whispers.

I give him a sad smile and rub his arm, "I know... I'm sorry. You need to talk about it eventually, though."

He nods once, "I know."

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Trying to keep something from Aya is showing to be more difficult than I thought. I've avoided her questions about Ashu's party and the big scene Ashton caused through our classes, but she eventually prodded it out of me at lunch. Maybe she should be a detective. Fucking relentless shit. I sigh and sit back in my chair, forty minutes until the end of the school day.

"You busy tonight?" Ashton whispers.

I shrug, "Maybe. Why?"

"Taking you on our first date."

My heart flutters. "Shit. Should I be expecting a wedding proposal, too?"

He snorts, then coughs to recover as Ms. Shanice snaps her head towards us. "Shut up. So you down?"