I Found You, Something Told Me To Stay - (Jason/Zacky) Version Two.

Chapter Thirty-Nine.

Hey, guys! Here's Chapter Thirty-Nine :) If you have a particularly good memory and remember a chapter from what feels like aaagesss ago - I think it was chapter twenty-one - where Ash and Midge went to a party with Ronnie and Midge mentioned something about Ash's age to Ronnie, you should know that I went back and edited that chapter, because I've tweaked Ash and Adam's ages just a little bit for the sake of future ideas. It's only a small change that won't have any impact on this story, really... but maybe for a version two of the sequel? Maybe ;).

I'm going to stop rambling now.

Please vote, comment and let me know what you think!

Enjoy!<3

**

Eight o’clock on the dot the next morning, Matthew pulled up outside my house. He was dressed for work, looking far more well-rested than I did; upon dragging my way out of his bedroom only thirty minutes before, my red, puffy eyes had gained a sympathetic glance from him that I had made the polite decision to ignore.

The quick breakfast we’d eaten had been an awkward affair as he’d rushed around to get ready for work. I had taken three small bites of my toast at the most, before my lack of appetite and the taste had me feeling nauseous. The tea I tried to wash it down with didn’t do me any favours, either, and it had been then, after uncomfortably changing back into my dress so as not to raise suspicion, that I knew today was going to be just as bad as yesterday.

Although I wanted more than anything to turn away from my house and spend my day as far away from any family members as possible, I knew I couldn’t hold Matthew up, and I had no plans to go anywhere whilst I was dressed like this. I sighed deeply, fiddling with the strap of my bag and staring out of the windshield as our surroundings gradually grew lighter.

“You’ll remember what I told you, right?” Matthew said, his gaze firmly pinned on me, “As much as you don’t want to…your best bet is to keep your interaction with my brother to family gatherings only. No one-on-one time.”

I nodded. The idea of it didn’t hurt any less, but there was no point attempting to fight it and find reasons to go against it. Matthew had only spoken the truth, as harsh as all of it might have felt, and I had no right to pity myself if I made no attempt to make things better.

“Thanks for letting me crash at your place, Matthew,” I said as I opened the door. He nodded, and I stepped out, sending him a brief wave, “See you around.”

“Bye, Midge.”

The sound of the car door slamming shut echoed down the street, and only seconds later, the humming of the engine followed it. Matthew’s car disappeared out of sight, and I was suddenly alone again.

I fished my house key out of my bag, unlocking the front door as quietly as possible. The house seemed silent as I stepped in and kicked my shoes off, but I soon noticed the murmur of voices coming from upstairs, as though a television was on. I wasted no time in starting up the stairs, noticing, from the top, that my dad’s bedroom door was open halfway, and there was movement coming from inside.

“Dad?” I mumbled, wandering over and pushing the door completely open. I hadn’t even expected to find him awake yet – and had hoped I wouldn’t, so as to avoid explaining where I’d been – yet I was more surprised at the sight of him darting around his room and folding clothes into a suitcase.

He looked up as soon as he noticed me, certainly looking exhausted, but thankfully no trace of anger seemed to be creeping into his expression. He chucked a can of deodorant into the suitcase, studying my appearance and shaking his head.