Broken

• Chapter 150 •

The bed is warm and soft. I can feel Ashton's arm draped over me, more comforting than any blanket I've ever slept under. I'm hypnotized by his musky scent, as is my nightgown, and I'm happy with the idea that his scent will be with me when next I sleep alone and it will make me feel safe and warm.

"I can't believe that I just met The Dark Knights."

I snort, "Really? That's what you're thinking about?" I tilt my face up to look at him. He's staring up at the ceiling, hand softly stroking my arm.

"I can't believe I just had dinner with The Dark Knights. Was it a dream?"

I rub my temples and shake my head, "You're adorable, but no. It was all real, especially the pizza part."

He narrows his eyes to slits and snaps his head down at me, I restrain a laugh and hold my hands up in surrender, "I TAKE IT BACK, DON'T GET TRIGGERED."

He grins and rolls his eyes at me.

"They loved you," I tell him, "They even gave you their numbers and added you on snapchat. If that's not a confirmation of friendship, I don't know what is."

He laughs at this, then gazes down at me, "Thanks for this, Clem... My favorite birthday used to be my sixth when my parents bought me a bike before shit started getting bad with my dad... But now, I don't even know what to say. You're fucking amazing, baby..."

My face feels hot, I'm blushing like crazy. I'm so glad my face is pressed against his chest, and he can't see my flustered nature. I'm kind of speechless, I didn't know he'd appreciate it this much.

"Anytime..." I whisper.

___________________

- ASHTON -

I stare at my laptop. There's an email from admission at Columbia University. My body freezes, and I'm completely unaware of what to do. What does it say? I probably got rejected. What if I actually get accepted?

I inhale deeply and muster up the courage to open the email with a shaky hand.

Dear Ashton Ashford, we are delighted that you have chosen to apply to Columbia University. We have reviewed your application and we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Columbia University...

My ears are ringing, I stop reading after that. I'm accepted? To Columbia? I feel like the breath has been knocked out of me, for once in my life I feel like I've achieved something. Happiness floods through my veins, I actually got in! I'm still in a state of shock. I refresh the email over a hundred times, afraid that I'm still dreaming, that I'm reading it wrong, something.

"Why are you up at six? School isn't till eight," Clementine mumbles from her position on my bed.

I flinch and turn to her, "I don't know, I just woke up."

She yawns, "Surprised, considering what a long night we had last night..."

I smirk at her as she reaches for her phone. I see her freeze, then jolt up in bed. She slowly turns to me with wide eyes and a pale face.

"Dude. I just got an email from Columbia University..."

I smile softly, "Open it."

She shakes her head, "What if they didn't accept me?"

"I'm sure they did," I snort. If I got in, there's no way she didn't.

She stares at her phone. "Come on, open it," I encourage her.