Worth the Risk (a Matthew Gray Gubler fanfic)

Chapter Fourteen

For some reason, I have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Is it because I have been sleeping with my professor? Maybe. Or the fact that I have been lying to my best friend about it? Probably. But I'm gonna go with the realization that I have to face my deadbeat Dad this weekend.

He has never really given any interest in my life or anything that I say or do. Like when I was a kid, I played softball for a couple of years. He never, not even once, came to a game. His excuse was that 'he had a lot of work to do.' Yeah? Well that's funny because if you were so busy working, why did Mom come home one night and find another woman there? And the stupid part is, my Mom had two more kids with this dumbass.

What a fucking idiot. She always had excuses for him.

My younger siblings, Ethan(8) and Layla(13), always got more attention than I ever did. I don't mean to be THAT person, but it's the truth. Dad always liked them more, same with Mom. The kids get everything they want and more, I didn't get shit. I worked for everything that I have and have accomplished.

The only person who has truly been there for me, is Ashlyn. And I'm lying to her face every day.

After my slight mental breakdown this morning, I get up to grab some breakfast. I fully expect to see Ashlyn on the couch, but she isn't there. I wonder where she is.

I forgot my phone in my room, so I go grab it. One text message...

Ashlyn: Good Morning! It's time to celebrate your birthday a little early! So, I went to grab us some breakfast from the cafe, I will be back shortly!

That was sent 20 minutes ago. She should be home any sec-

Ashlyn comes bursting through the door, "Oh my God, the cafe was so busy this morning! But, I managed to snag your favorites! I got you a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant, a chocolate chip muffin. And since you don't like coffee, I got you a chocolate milk. I know, I know, a lot of sweets but it's your birthday! I just couldn't help myself."

I laugh, "Ash, your rambling always makes me laugh. I love you for it. And thank you! You know me too well."

We sit down and enjoy our breakfast, laughing and reminiscing about the first time we ever met.

2 1/2 years ago

I was added into a Facebook group that is for newly enrolled students at UC Berkeley.

It's time to stalk my potential new classmates/roommates!

I am scrolling through and answering questions on some of the posts. Some like, 'what is your major?' or 'what is your favorite pass time?' But, one girl's question and answer catches my eye.

Her name is Ashlyn and she asked:
How many people didn't want to even be added to this group, but accepted anyway only to stalk classmates? Me!

I giggle, because that is exactly why I accepted!

No one has answered her question, I'm assuming because they think it's a joke. But I answer honestly, 'Me too!'

Almost immediately, she likes my comment, and I have a private message. We start to engage in interesting conversations about stupid people, dogs, and life in general. Having an instant connection with her, even though we have only met through Facebook, she asks me to be her roommate.

And that question started it all.

We continue to laugh about different things that have happened over the last 2 years.

"Do you remember when that kid, Danny, got so drunk that he fell down the stairs at the frat house?"

Ashlyn laughs, "Yes! He hit every stair before Jessica broke his fall at the bottom!"