Show me, sir

18| Smile

tw!

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Third person

The school day was finally over. Y/n and Ash made their way to the girl's house. Y/n wanted him to go with her to the hospital, but she needed to get some things from home first.

As she was unlocking the door she realised something.

'What's wrong?' the boy asked.

'It's- it's unlocked.'

She turned the door knob, but someone pulled the door before she could push it open.

'Oh, it's you,' the person sighed in relief.

'Dad... hi.'

'And you've brought Ash.' The older man smiled at the gentleman behind his daughter. 'Come here.' He stretched out his arms and pulled him in for a hug. 'I haven't seen you in ages. Come in.' He fully opened the door and moved out of their way.

'It's really nice to see you, too, Daniel!'

***

Soon enough they finished their talk with Daniel.

'Dad, we are going to the hospital to chec-'

'On sec, honey.' He received a phone call. Probably work, again. 'Yes? Yes, this is him. Ah, hello. Any updates?' He walked away from the young adults.

'He's away from work and yet he still  has to work,' she grumbled frustratedly to her friend.

Eventually, her dad came back.

She continued the thought she had earlier, 'So, as I was saying; we are going to the ho-'

'Honey.' He had an empty, pale expression. 'It was the hospital.'

'Oh, what did they say?'

She had a tiny smile on her face. "Why was she smiling" you may ask. She damn well knew what she was about to hear. She damn well knew the moment she saw her dad's face. We were always told stories of angels and how they would come to collect souls from the earth, when they are ready for the next step, but one thing her mom used to tell her was that they ask wether you're ready to go or not. She never thought her mom would give up the fight and let go of her. She couldn't let herself hear the words that were about to come out of her father's mouth. She didn't want to hear them.

Ash's arm held her by the back. He felt it, too. He knew, too.

'She- she didn't make it.' He made his way closer to y/n.

She took a step back. Not from fear, but from disbelief. His words cut deeper than a knife possibly could.

Ash felt her weakening. He held her with both hands now, keeping her balanced.

'Wha-what do you... what do you mean? That- that's not possible.' She started turning her head, facing her dad, then her friend, then her dad again...

'Y/n,' her friend whispered in her ear, turning her to face him.

'No! Stop it! Both of you. I saw her last night. She was fine! She looked... fine.'

She wasn't in the car with her, when the crash happened, but she felt guilty. Why did she feel guilt?

The men didn't talk, but just looked at each other.

Daniel nodded softly and then a tear fell from his eye. At least he could process it. Y/n didn't cry, which was even more worrying. She didn't want to admit it to herself. People grieved differently, some cry, some let their anger get the best of them and others tried not to show it. Y/n thought showing emotion was a weakness. She was in a room with her closest people, yet she let herself cry infront of Nathan a lot easier. It took a lot of courage for her first tear to fall, when she was with them.

Then another one.

And another one.

Ash placed her head on his shoulder.

'Shushh... That's it...' His voice was as calming as possible, gliding his hand through her hair.

She lifted her head a bit. Looking at her father. He couldn't face her. He was the one she knew from that crying is a weakness. He didn't tell her so, but she observed him really closely, yet here he is: crying, grieving. Something she couldn't let herself do.

She pulled her dad by the shirt, while still being in her friend's arms, signaling him to join the tight grip Ash had on her.

***
Later that night

'Are you sure you don't want me to sleep over, just for tonight?' Ash asked Y/n.

'Mhm... positive.' She shot him the fakest smile possible.

'Fine, but if you need anything, just give me a call.' Just like what Mr. Dale had told her and then tried to not look her in the eyes for a whole damn day.

'Of course.' She couldn't wait for him to get out of the room. She was well aware he just wanted what's best for her, but she wanted some alone time.

And eventually he left her room and went down to her father.

'She wants to be alone, so I'll get going,' the younger guy said.

'Ash?'

'Daniel...'

'Thank you.'

'For what?'

'For everything. For keeping an eye out for my baby, for comforting her, for today, for being in the house when I wasn't.'

Ash got closer to the kitchen table and left his things by the door.

'Of course. I truly care about her. Daniel... if you don't mind me asking. What are you going to do now?'

'Meaning...'

'Meaning; will you stay here, go back to Chicago, take her with you, leave her alone here...'

'I haven't given it much thought. I'll definitely stay here until graduation, but I don't know what I'll do afterward. When I do, you'll be one of the first people to know.' Daniel turned his head toward him and smiled powerlessly.

Ash got closer and rubbed the other man's back. 'You'll get through it. You two are really strong.'

'I know. I will fight it, but her... I don't know about her. She's tougher than me, you know. She won't let herself process it, but I guess she'll eventually get over it. She has to.'

'She will. Good night!' Ash took his things and made his way to the front door.

'Night...'

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Please, vote if you've liked the story, guys!!!
By the way, thank you for the votes and views! I'm having more motivation to write.
This is probably the longest chapter in the book, so I really hope you've liked it.
Sending you much love and I hope you're well!