The Elites

Chapter Seven

January 2010. I've finally taken hold of my bad period just after the Ashton thing. They've called a meeting and they're all sat around a round table. Glasses of wine sit in front of every person, and Blair is smoking a cigarette. Will plucks it from between her fingers and stamps it out with his foot. She glares at him, but she's actually grateful.

"He's obviously a fragile, damaged soul," Will says haughtily. "We have to shut him out completely."

"I agree," Lara says, taking a sip of wine. "Obviously, my leaving him took him past the point of repair."

"That means we can't tell him if we get married," Ashton says to Lara. "Or if I knock you up."

"Yes, because I plan to move on from him as soon as possible by getting myself pregnant with your kid," Lara says, and she and Ashton laugh jeeringly.

"And if he asks, we lie," Blair says. "In fact, just live a lie. Don't even let him ask,"

"It's settled!" they all say together, and they clink their glasses together in a toast, laughing before they take a sip.

Or at least that's how I pictured it happening.

*

Ashton was still staring at me by the time I snapped back. My mind seemed to have taken a small wander at his last words. I wasn't sure if he had said anything else, but if he had I'd completely ignored it.

"Okay, this is a weird situation," Ashton said finally, staring intently at the ground.

"I'm not a fragile, damaged soul," I said matter-of-factly.

"Harry, I didn't sa-"

"You know, I'm not some pathetic, breakable little child. I don't need you or any of them to walk on eggshe-"

"Well, this is an interesting sight," came a voice, and Lara appeared right between me and Ashton. She looked frantic, and she was slightly out of breath. "Ash, have you seen Ezra?"

"Mr Hetley said he was with you," I said pointedly to Lara. "Ms James."

"Oh, crap," Lara said, her eyes flickering between the two of us. "Well. Cat's out of the bag."

"Cat's out of the bag?" I blurted incredulously. The fact that they found it so casual irritated me. "That's all you have to say?"

"Come on, there are more important things to discuss," she said quickly. "Like my three year old missing son."

"Three and a half," Ashton corrected, and Lara raised an eyebrow at him. Ashton shrugged. "That's what he always says."

"I get enough of that at home, Ash," she sighed, folding her arms before giving him a small smile. The gold ring on her wedding finger suddenly appeared to me; I don't know how I hadn't noticed it earlier. Maybe I just wasn't looking. "I don't need it from you here, too."

"This is all very cute," I said, holding my hands up to stop them. "But your kid is missing and you're both asking me where he is. I'm guessing you want help."

They both stared at me for a few seconds. Ashton just looked blank, while Lara looked as if she wanted to tear my head off. I'd spoken brashly, yes. But if they wanted my help, then I would help them, but I wouldn't be taking any crap. Especially not the lovey dovey kind.

Ashton started to rock on his heels, looking around in random directions at the people still running around for no apparent reason. Will's inspirational speech clearly hadn't worked the wonders everyone had hoped it did. Lara's look turned to a narrow glare before it softened. I guessed it was her motherly side, caring for her son.