Broken

|| Chapter 170 ||

It's been a few days, and I've managed to get settled into my dorm. I've unpacked everything and got my job back at the car shop with Tony. I sigh deeply as I unlock Shelby and climb in alone for the first time. I had her shipped over to Tony during the summer—he was very pleased to know I'm not going to be driving my bike anymore—and I haven't driven her yet.

I release a shaky breath as I turn the engine on and the familiar engine sound rings in my ears. I smile a thousand-watt smile as I grip the steering wheel. This entire car is filled with memories of dad. I can feel his presence in it, and I smile at his memory. This feels right. I buckle up and drive over to campus, when I could've walked, really... And make my way into the admission's office.

"Hello there, I'm Natalie. How may I help you?"

I smile at the woman. "Hi. I'm here to pick up my schedule. Clementine Charmant," I tell her.

She cocks her eyebrow at me and I shake my head, "Oh, right. Sorry, I applied under a fake name... Might still be Clementine Noodlemort in the system."

Her eyebrows rise in surprise, "Oh, I know who you are!"

I frown, "Well I mean you'd have to be living under a rock if you didn't at this point... Especially due to recent events—"

She laughs and shakes her head, "Believe it or not, that's not what I meant. Not even considering how unique and memorable Noodlemort is as a last name, you're the girl whose boyfriend gave up his place for."

I blink, "What?"

She smiles softly. "We talk about it here all the time and how our men won't even get the door for us. It's cute..." she scrolls through her files, "Ashton Ashford, I believe. Called me personally and was upset you hadn't gotten in... Gave up his spot for you. Very lucky young lady you are," she winks.

I stare at her with a twisted gut. "Ah, here it is," she hands me my schedule, "I hope you have a wonderful day, dear."

I nod, "Thank you..."

___________________

My heart is thumping out of my chest as I walk out of the campus, I don't know how to feel. I'm so engrossed in my thoughts that I bump right into someone.

"Shit, I'm sorry—"

My heart and his face drop.

"Clementine..." Ashton breathes.

I study him. I haven't seen him in months, and I hadn't realized how much I missed his voice. It saddens me, to look at him, as memories both good and bad resurface. I cock my head to the side as a formidable feeling of forgiveness surges through me. I hated looking at him and feeling pain. Feeling anger, feeling hatred... When all he made me feel before was happiness, safety and love. It broke my heart to feel such resentment towards him. I didn't ever want to look at him and feel that way again.

He shakes his head, "I'm sorry... I honestly had no idea it was you—"

"It's okay."

He seems surprised that I haven't slapped him, gouged his eyes out, beaten him up, or slit his throat yet. He studies me with curiosity.

"So, you moved down here, huh?" I muse.

He nods, "Yeah... I go to NYU."

"That's good..."

He's quiet for a moment.

"Is it..?" he breathes hopefully.

I don't say anything for a while. A small smile tugs at my lips, "Yeah... I think it is..."

He puts his hands into his pockets and looks down at the floor nervously. His eyes flick up to meet mine, and his mouth curves into the smirk that makes me melt inside.

"Do you still want me to stay out of your life..?" he winces in anticipation.

I blink.

"Did you make me pancakes?"

I burst out laughing, "Seriously? You came all this way to ask if I made you pancakes?"

He shrugs and looks at me like I'm stupid for asking that, as though he's completely normal to drive all the way here to know whether or not I've made him pancakes.

"Partially."

I roll my eyes, "Nope. Maybe Vanessa did."

He clicks his tongue in irritation, "Vanessa's scared of the kitchen. Plus neither her nor Zach can hold a pan properly."

"Shit, Ashton. You gotta contact the police. Someone snuck into your house and made you pancakes!" I mock, "I—"

"Thank you," he cuts me off.

My heart leaps in surprise, I shake my head, "It was nothing, just didn't want you to have a hangover—"

"No, it was. No one's done that for me in a long time," he steps towards me.

My heart thud thud thuds in my chest.

"No one has made you pancakes..?" That's so sad.

He rolls his eyes at me and sighs, "No. no one has cared for me in a while."

I lose the sarcastically bitter factor, pronto. We stare at each other in silence for a while. What does this mean? Are we friends again?

"Um, anyway... Did I—did I say anything weird, or do anything weird last night?" he seems nervous.

There it is.

My heart drops. Ah, shit. If I say yes, I'll lose him for sure. He'll freak out and be weird about it and sprint for the hills. If I say no, I might have a chance at restoring our friendship. I might not have to give him up.

Besides, neither of us needs the drama of confused emotions right now.

"No. Nothing apart from you refusing to drink your water because you thought it was vodka," I shrug.

He examines me for a minute, then sighs in relief. Right answer.

He nods thoughtfully, "Explains the massive hangover."

I laugh, and his lips twitch into the smallest of smiles. Still. It's a smile.

"Thanks... For taking care of me," he tells me.

I nod and decide to be brave. "That's what friends are for, right..?" I try my luck.

He remains silent for the longest time, sighing and rolling his eyes when he has come to a conclusion in his head.

He shrugs, "I guess you know too much about me to leave my life right now..." I break into an uncontrollable smile.

His eyes flick up to meet mine, and his mouth curves into a smirk that dissolves my insides into nothing but goo, "You've seen me drunk... I'm stuck with you, Noodlemort."

I smile at the fond memory. I shake my head, "Nah... You know too much about me to leave my life right now... I'm stuck with you, Ashford."

His mouth breaks into a giant grin. He glances down at my wrist, seeing that I'm still wearing his bracelet. Then further down, to my legs. I flush slightly when I realize I'm wearing the boots he gave me for my birthday. I look up at him to find his eyes boring into mine. I stare into them, and I have no hate, no resentment, no grudge. I see my friend, and the boy I fell in love with.

He clears his throat and takes a hesitant step towards me, "... In that case... Would you want to grab a pizza or two..? Maybe?"

I tilt my head and study him before nodding slowly.

"Yes, yes I would."