Broken

• Chapter 118 •

"Hey, what're you doing up?" I'm surprised to find Ashton sitting on the beach, staring at the waves crashing onto the shore.

He smiles brightly when he sees me, "Hey. Could ask you the same thing. You here to meet up with the hot chéf?"

I narrow my eyes at him, "Ha. Is that what you're doing out here? I thought it was just going to be him and I. He did seem to have an eye for you. Damn, he played us both. Maybe we can have a three-way."

He laughs and shakes his head at me, "I couldn't sleep." I take a seat beside him and rest my elbows on my knees, admiring mother nature's beauty. I couldn't sleep either once Isabella left, so I thought a walk would be good.

"It's so beautiful out here."

He nods, "It really is. Wanna stargaze?"

I grin, "Are you going to dazzle me with your astrology knowledge?"

He snorts, "Obviously. Chicks dig it."

I shove him before we lay side by side on the soft sand. He begins pointing out constellations to me. I stare at him speaking, listening to every word he says. He's concentrated on the stars, engrossed in his words, thinking out loud. He's more so talking to himself than he's talking to me, ranting about his passion for the universe. His belief that aliens exist. All I can do is stare at him in complete awe and wonder.

"That one's my favorite. It was my mom's favorite, too. She told me when she eventually leaves, to always look up at the stars and know she's looking down at me."

He pauses for a moment, realizing that he has been speaking for a good ten minutes straight. He breaks out of his trance, slowly turning his head towards me. He shrugs sheepishly.

My eyes are locked on his, curiosity flashes through his eyes at my obvious admiration. He stares intently at me. His face is illuminated by the moon, making his blue eyes bluer, his skin gleams. He looks like an angel.

"You really are something, Ashford..." I whisper.

His eyes light up, a warm blush spreads across his cheeks. "What do you believe in?" he deadpans.

My eyebrows furrow, he repeats his question. I clear my throat and shrug. "I'm not sure what I believe in... I think that organized religion is full of shit. But who knows, I might be wrong. Mom believes in God. But I just... I don't know. How can there be a God but be so much pain, so much evil in this world? I mean pure, incurable evil?" I shake my head to myself, eyes boring into the depth of the night sky.

"I do believe in hard-work, though. That you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I'm more of a logical, rational, realistic person, I guess. Hm, what else do I believe in? I really don't know, this is giving me more stress than my goddamn college application—" I turn to face him, he has an amused smirk on his face.

I shrug sheepishly.

"Fine. What are you passionate about, then?"

"Food. Sleep. Cars. You," I wink. He laughs and shakes his head at me, "Seriously."

I sigh deeply and ponder his question. "I love boots," I settle.

He cocks his eyebrow at me, lips pressed together. He thinks I'm pulling his leg. I laugh lightly. "I've been obsessed with boots since I was a child. But um... Now I'm kinda scarred, and I can't wear them anymore," I shrug sadly.

He snorts, "Did someone bully you out of wearing boots?"

I smile softly. "Something like that. Don't be an ass," I roll my eyes and shove him.

He laughs, and I join him. It does sound ridiculous. I miss wearing boots everywhere. He shakes his head at me, our eyes lock. He tilts his head and studies me with wonder. I offer him my own shy smile before turning my attention back to the stars. I can feel his eyes burning into my skull, it's my turn to blush. My body is gradually heating up.

I clear my throat. "What?" I snap.

He shrugs, "I don't know. I just... This is nice. Me, you, and the stars. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be at the moment."

My heart soars. "Same," I say lamely as I stare at him.

Something flickers in his eyes, "You're amazing, Minty..."

Butterflies are exploding in my stomach. I shrug and smile at him, "You're not so bad yourself."

He props onto his left elbow and bores his eyes into mine, extending his right arm to my cheek. He strokes it gently with his thumb, I close my eyes and embrace his touch. The amount of feelings he's making me feel should be illegal. My eyes flutter open, eyelashes brushing his thumb. He leans in slowly, tilting my chin up to meet my lips with his. The kiss is soft but passionate. My knees go weak, tingly feelings run down my spine. I'm glad I'm laying down, or I might've collapsed like an idiot.

He slowly pulls away, eyes opening to meet mine.

"You know," he breathes as he glances around the empty dark beach, "We haven't trained today... I can think of other ways to get your work-out in."

I grin and punch him playfully, acting as though I'm offended. But psht, I high-key want it.

He smirks and kisses me, placing himself on top of me. I pull back and look into his eyes as he caresses my face. He brings his lips back to mine, kissing me feverishly as his hands roam my body. Sparks fly across my body every single time his hands touch me. All I see is his face, the leaves above and the sky almost midnight blue, the moon a milky crescent.

Our breaths rise in visible puffs and though there is a soft wind, we are warm with one another. And then there is only us, skin against skin. Our fingers caress each other's bodies, as if afraid a heavier touch will break the heady magic. We become one. One mind with one goal and purpose, each utterly drunk with need for one another.

___________________

We stand after what feels like hours of laying on the sand, basking in each other's presence. "Come on. I'll walk you to your room," he says as he laces our hands together.

I sigh as we reach my door, I wish we could stay on the beach forever. He kisses my forehead like an adorable little piece of shit, smirking when pulling away.

Hmph. He knows the effect he has on me, and he loves it. "Night beautiful," he winks.

I compose myself and shake my head. Snap out of it, you're acting like an idiot. What are you doing to me, you stupid boy?

I creep into my room and tip-toe to the bed, climbing up and sighing deeply once my back hits the mattress. I wince as I pull the blanket over my bare legs.

"I heard all of that," Aya mumbles.

I snap my head down, "You heard nothing. Shut it and go back to sleep."

"Mhm... Slut..." she mumbles. I snort and shake my head, flipping her off.

I press a hand to my forehead and bite my lip as I stare up at the ceiling. It's so quiet that I can hear Kate's soft sighs, Ashu's loud snores, and Aya's heartbeat. I listen to the soft waves crashing onto the shore. I can feel my lips forming a smile as I think of Ashton. I can't help but let out a girly squeal as I remember the events of tonight. God, I'm pathetic. Pathetic.

He's doing dangerous things to my mind, and to my dismay, my heart.