“Gee, Val. I don’t think I can make it on such short notice. I mean, I’m kinda booked this weekend, with all that ‘falling out of love with you’ business and whatnot. I hope you understand. It’s just really a lot of work and on top of that, I’m having hot wings for dinner tonight.”
“No, Ashton. I completely understand.” I tell him through gritted teeth. “I can see that you’re really busy. Thanks for getting back to me.”
“Yeah, no problem. Bye, dude.” He says before the line goes dead.
“Dude?” I ask with a scoff, throwing my phone onto the bathroom counter. I roll my eyes as I finish curling a strand of my hair. “Fuckin’ asshole.”
I let out a sigh as I pick up my phone and hesitantly dial Luke’s number. The line rings three times before he answers.
“Second choice, Val? I don’t know how I feel about that.”
“Just put on a suit and be here in twenty minutes.”
“You’re so romantic. Ashton’s really missing out.”
“Are you coming or not?”
“Babe, I’m already on my way. No need to fear, Luke is here. Even though you’re kind of a bitch and you only call me when you need me, I’m here.”
“Whatever, Luke. Just text me when you get here.”
“Also, I’m here.”
I groan and end the call before marching towards the front door and throwing it open. Luke is leaning against the wall, a smolder on his face and a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“Hi Valerie.”
“Shut up, Luke.” I snap, letting him inside before closing the door.
“So, when’s your dad gonna be here?”
“I don’t know. Like, fifteen minutes?”
“Oh great. That gives me time to compliment you. Valerie, you look absolutely ravishing.”
“Shut the hell up, Luke.”
“Listen Val, I know you’re mad at me, but I apologized, so my conscious is clean. Be bitter all you want but I’m done apologizing. I shouldn’t even be helping you. Especially because you’re acting like a snobby five year old who got a pony instead of a private jet.”
“You’re calling yourself a pony?”
“Ponies are pretty fucking great, so shove off.” Luke says with a grin.
“Whatever. I’m gonna finish getting ready.” I mutter under my breath, heading back towards the bathroom.
Luke follows behind me and leans against the bathroom door’s frame as I continue curling my hair. “So, I take it things with Ashton aren’t going so well.”
“Luke, I really don’t wanna talk about it right now.”
“I think you do.” Luke says, smiling softly at me. “C’mon, Val. I’m still here for you.”
“Luke, I’m not in the mood, okay? I just don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay. Your call.” Luke mumbles under his breath.
My phone rings and I jump slightly. Luke lets out a quiet laugh and I pick my phone up. “Hello?”
“Val, I’m outside.”
“Be down in a second.” I reply before hanging up. I unplug my hair curler and put some hairspray on before turning to Luke. “You ready to go?”
“Yep.”
Luke follows me down to my dad’s car. I take a deep breath before getting into the back seat, Luke following suit.
“Hi, Val.”
“Hi, dad.” I answer quietly. “Um, where is she?”
“Meeting us at the restaurant. Figured I’d spare you an awkward car ride and a premature heart attack.”
“Oh.” I whisper.
Luke glances over at me and bites down on his lip awkwardly.
“So, this isn’t Ashton.” My father says, looking in the rearview mirror at Luke.
“No, it isn’t. This is Luke. He’s my friend.”
“Nice to meet you Mr. Hart.” Luke says politely.
“Nice to meet you too.” He says before the car falls into an awkward silence.
~~~
“Holy shit.” I whisper to myself, eyes wide as I stare at my father and his fiancee.
They’re engaged in deep conversation and I can see the glimmer in her eyes every time she looks at him. I want to tell her to run. To leave him. That he’ll only hurt her. That he’ll tear her apart just like he did with my mother. I want to tell her that love is a sham and a simile for hurt. I want to scream at her to get out while her heart is still whole. Before she starts relying on this horrible man she looks at with such adoration in my eyes it hurts.
“Val, are you okay?” Luke asks me quietly, nudging my leg under the table.
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Val, your hands are shaking like crazy. You look like you’re about to have an anxiety attack.”
“I’m okay.” I repeat before clearing my throat. “I’m just gonna go freshen up.”
I stand up out of my chair and make my way through the crowded restaurant towards the bathrooms in the back of the building. I stop in front of the woman’s restroom and take a deep breath.
“Val, seriously, what’s going on?” Luke asks, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“I’m just confused, Luke.” I tell him. There’s no point in lying to him. He’ll see right through me and I feel like I need to get it off of my chest. “I feel bad for her. And I shouldn’t. I should hate her. I should want my dad to destroy her like he did to my mom. I should want her to hurt and pay for the way she tore my family apart. But I just can’t. I can’t help but feel sorry for her because I know my dad will do the same thing to her. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe fifteen years from now. Maybe with their own kid will have to deal with what I do. I just feel horrible, Luke. I’m a horrible person.”
“Val, whoa, whoa, whoa. Did you hear anything you just said? You’re anything but a horrible person. If that was me back there, I’d be talking shit left and right, trying to make her uncomfortable and feel horrible for what she did. I’d let her get married to my prick of a father so she could suffer like I did. But Val, you’re not doing that. You’re being polite and nice and you actually have sympathy for a woman who potentially ruined your parents marriage. You’re an amazing person, Valerie. I can’t even believe that you’d think you’re a bad person after all of that. You’re an amazing person, Val, okay?”
“Yeah, whatever.” I mumble, my voice cracking.
“Listen, if you need to go home, I’ll make up an excuse and get us the hell out of here. Just say the word.”
“Can you?”
“Yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
honestly im so sorry for not updating in forever and that the update is so shitty but i think ill double update sorry
YOU ARE READING
Gone || Ashton Irwin
Fiksi Penggemar"Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes anymore." {Sequel to Life In Technicolor}
