Awkward

Chapter 19

“Whoa.” Ashley said as I entered the kitchen and sat on one of the bar stools “You look awful.” I scoffed

“Thanks.” I said sarcastically “I didn’t sleep at all last night.” I said with a sigh as I ran my hands through my hair, trying to untangle it a little bit

“Did Chase sleep on the couch last night?” she asked as she glanced over my shoulder to the couch where a pillow and a blanket laid over it. I closed my eyes and sighed softly “What happened yesterday?”

“We broke up.” she choked on her coffee and coughed loudly as I stared at her in shock 

“W-What?” she sputtered “Why?” she said, coughing once again 

“I’d rather not talk about it.” I whispered as I fiddled with my fingers, as tears started to fill my eyes. I saw her standing next to me, I looked up and she half-smiled at me as she rested her hand on my shoulder, she eyed me curiously before asking

“Are you okay?” she muttered, my lip quivered as a tear fell from my eyes, she pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck as I buried my face into the crook of her neck as I sobbed quietly on her shoulder as she whispered soothing and comforting words to me, trying to comfort me “I’m so sorry.” she said once we pulled away, I sniffled and looked down at me hands as I shook my head

“It’s my own fault.” I whispered “I never should've let myself fall in love with him…” 

“You don’t mean that…” she said as she sat on the stool next to me “you’re both so crazy about each other, it’d be stupid not to fall in love.” she said as she squeezed my shoulder and then she grabbed my hand

“He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me…” I said as my voice crack “and I let him go…” 

“Then don’t.” she said and I shook my head “What’s so bad about a long distance relationship?” 

“I just can’t…” I said as I stared at my hands and twiddled with my fingers “I need to focus on my music for now, if Chase and I are meant to be, we’ll find a way after all of this is over…” 

“What if it’s too late by then?” I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip 

“Then I’ll regret my mistake for the rest of my life…” I looked at Ashely and saw her eyes were also teary “Why are you crying?” I whispered and she chuckled as she wiped her eye 

“I hate seeing you both like this…” she said with a sigh “you’re both my best friends and you’re hurting, it’s painful to see; heartbreaking.” she added, I closed my eyes tightly as a single tear fell from my eyes again “I saw him this morning and it was like I was seeing a different person, he was so… in pain and heartbroken.” she said as she stared to her right, towards the window where you could see the blue sea “I’ve never seen that look on him.” she added with a shake of her head “I tried asking him what was wrong but he just ignored me and went to the beach and has been there ever since.” 

“How long ago was this?” I asked and she chuckled dryly 

“Five hours ago.” she muttered and I gaped slightly, I glanced at the clock and saw it was almost 11 a.m. “I’m an early riser.” she added with a shrug “I really wish there was something I could do.” she said as she looked at me worriedly 

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be fine.” I said but I knew even I didn’t believe the words that left my mouth. I heard the sound of a door closing and saw Jase entering the kitchen as he rubbed his eyes, he noticed our teary-red eyed appearances and stared at us in shock and worry, filled with an alarming gaze