how we met / / a.i.

Chapter Nine.

The next morning was hectic. My mom and Ashton's dad were stressed out from the mess Ashton and his friends created in the basement so they began to frantically clean it as if the mess would kill us all. When I had come downstairs with Kris and her bags, I stared over at my mom expectantly.

She turned and looked over at us, placing her hands on her hips. "What, girls?" She asked, annoyance laced in her voice. Probably from Ashton's stupid mess.

With an eyeroll, I explained. "You're supposed to be taking me and Kris to the airport. She's going home today?" I tried, watching as her face twisted to one of confusion. "You forgot." I mumbled, rubbing my face irritated.

"No, Amelia, I didn't." She sharply replied, tugging her phone from her pocket as she showed us the screen. It was a text from Kris' mom, asking my mom if Kris was okay to stay a week or two due to some problems with their remodeling. I chewed at my lip, mumbling a quiet apology before turning towards Kris with a wide smile.

For the first time since last night, she returned my smile. Her arms enveloped me as she let out a muffled squeal. "Oh thank god. I was so bummed. I'm sorry for being weird, I just was gonna miss you." She whispered, my lips parting to release a soft sigh.

We pulled away, my bottom lip going between my teeth as I rocked on my heels. "Well, first, we need to get you settled back in. Then, if its okay with you, we could go to the beach with everyone." I offered cautiously, visibly relaxing when her smile was still there as she agreed.

We headed towards the stairs, only to be stopped in place by my mom. "Amelia, why don't you get Kris settled in the guest room? I'm sure she'd want her privacy at some point, since she's gonna be here probably the next two weeks." I looked over at Kris, who simply shrugged.

"Whatever's easier." She said, a yawn immediately following.

I shrugged, grabbing her suitcase for her and we headed upstairs. As we were heading up, I wondered where Ashton was, and if he was gonna be at the beach today.

We got to the spare bedroom next to mine, my arms plopping the suitcase onto the edge of the bed. I flopped down beside it as I let out a dramatic pant. Kris, watching it all, rolled her eyes as she walked over and began placing her clothes in the empty dresser in the bedroom. "You're dramatic, Melly."

I cringed slightly at the nickname, always hating it since the third grade when Kris gave it to me. It's kinda stuck since.

"So, what did Ashton really want last night?" Kris pried, briefly glancing back at me to look at my facial expression.

I felt my cheeks burn, shaking my head somewhat at her as I climbed off the bed and sat down on the beanbag in the corner. "He was checking in, and gave me a kiss." She cooed at this, my eyes instinctively rolling at her. "He tried to get me to come to the basement with everyone after you fell asleep but I wasn't feeling it." I spoke softly, not exactly wanting my mom or his dad hearing me.

She nodded along, continuing to place her clothes in the dresser. "Just be careful, yeah?"

I nodded at her, pulling my phone from my waistband and glanced down at it. On the screen had Bryanna's contact, and a text message with a photo attached.

From: Bry
Ashton's ex is in town..
[picture attached]

I clicked on it, a photo of Ashton with his arms wrapped tight around some blonde tan girl. Their embrace seemed pretty personal, a shiver running down my spine. His lips were pressed against her head, a nauseous feeling erupting in my stomach. Kris noticed I got quiet, walking over and gasped quietly at the photo.