CHANGE

CHAPTER 1: RETURNING

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I sat on the bed starring up at Sarah's roof, thinking about what she had told me. Getting out of this town and changing my life for good. I couldn't help but think it was because she didn't want me here, but I knew it was really because she cared. But I have a way out, I'm just scared to peruse it because I know It'll get me out of this town. And when I leave I don't think I'll ever come back, there are too many people I care about here. So many people that I know if I come back it'll only be under certain circumstances or else I won't wanna leave again. I have one foot in the golden life, and one foot in the gutter. I have to choose which way to go before I slip and fall and loose any opportunity for a better life.

In the middle of my thought Sarah and Kie walked back in with food and Smirnoff, so I pushed my thoughts away till later.

"You guys ready to go to the outdoor movie?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am, let's go," they both said in unison.

Even though Sarah and Kie were younger than me I didn't really know any other girls, considering my brother, Barry, mostly sells to a bunch of dudes. But after I started dating Rafe I met them, and I don't know what I would do if anything happened to any of them.

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I woke up in my L.A apartment to my phone buzzing, it took me a minute to come back from my dream from when I was back in the Outer Banks. My phone stopped buzzing and I checked the time, it was about to be 12:00 am and I had an important meeting about my next single coming out so I just figured the call was a spam call so I didn't call back. But as I laid my head back down the same number called again, I knew the area code which really confused me so I answered.

"Ashton, thank god you answered. Listen I know you left like a year ago but you need to come back, John B and Sarah disappeared."

I couldn't make out the voice of who it was and thought it was some sort of joke so I just said, "what?"

"Ashton, it's Topper. Sarah and John B are gone."

I fell silent, but knew I had to go back. 

"Okay," was all I said then I hung up. I immediately opened up my laptop and looked up news in the Outer Banks. I couldn't believe what they were being accused of, and I couldn't imagine how her family and Kie must be feeling. When I was last there we weren't close with the Pouges so I was confused as to why she disappeared with John B. I looked for flights leaving as early as tomorrow morning and I found one leaving at 5:30 am. I texted my agent telling him I had to go home for a family emergency and will come back in two weeks or more. I knew he'd be mad but I had to leave.

As I packed my things I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that I had to see my brother, Kie, Sarah's family, and Rafe. When I got an agent he rushed me to move out to L.A which I understood, so I broke up with him and left the next day. I haven't wanted to date anyone else since I left because he was everything I ever wanted. I left knowing I wouldn't find love like that again, but I couldn't stay and be one of my brothers coke sellers. I wanted more for my life than what the Outer Banks had to offer me, so I made the decision and left. I told them I would call and text them all the time, but I knew it would make me want to go back. So I blocked their numbers, so I don't know how Topper called me.

The whole plane ride I was super anxious about going back home, I was worried I wouldn't wanna leave. I don't know if things are exactly as they were when I left or completely different. But I think I decided what I'm gonna do when I get back, and that includes trying not to let Rafe know I'm in town. Because I know seeing him will change a lot of things for me. I landed in North Carolina and took a long Uber drive to the Outer Banks and asked him to drop me off at Kie's parents restaurant, and wow nothing had changed.

As I was opening the door I felt tears fill my eyes thinking of all the times I helped Kie out with her dad, and all the times me, her, and Sarah all ate in here together and sat for hours. I saw no sight of Kie but saw her parents, when they realized who I was their eyes widened and they held their arms out to pull me in for a hug.

"Ashton, my goodness haven't you been busy."

I smiled with tears in my eyes knowing they've been keeping up with what I've been doing back in L.A.

"Yeah, I have. Do you know where Kie is?"

"She's at the chateau with JJ and Pope."

I was confused, because I knew they were Pouges and she didn't hang out with them.

"Oh, could you guys give me the direction for that place?" I asked Kie's mom.

"Sure sweetie, here," she said as she handed me her keys, "take my car and just bring it back tonight okay, you can stay with us."

"Thank you so much," I said with a genuine smile. I thought about how I needed to cancel my AirBNB now, but that's the least of my problems right now.

As I was heading out the door I turned around quickly and said, "Oh and could you please not tell anyone I'm in town, I only really wanted to see how Kie is."

"Of course sweetie," they said. "But aren't you going to see how Rafe is doing too?"

I froze, and looked down and shook my head no.

Kie's dad said, "You know he's not doing well right?"

It hurt my body physically to hear him say that, but I knew I couldn't see him.

"I'm sure he's not well, but I won't leave again if I see him," I said looking back up.

He sighed and said, "okay, but just consider it."

I smiled at him and left to go to the Chateau.

Author's Note:

Sorry no appearance of Rafe just yet, but I need to add back story and what not. I actually really like how this chapter came out, and I'm really excited to write the next chapter because she is going to see Kie again and meet JJ and Pope ! 

Anyway what do you guys think so far?