When He Saved Me

s e v e n

As soon as we get home we're all peacefully sitting in the living room watching some reality tv show except for Jules and Ethan they went off by themselves somewhere. 

When all of the sudden Jules and Ethan burst in squealing holding a box full of what looks like air mattresses. They are literally the same person I swear but I totally ship them. "SLEEPOVER!" they both squeal. Asher, jake and Noah roll their eyes but nicki and Brooke jump up and start squealing with Ethan jules. I laugh at them "I'm so down!"

Pretty soon after only a little convincing from Jules she has Noah, Asher, Jake, and Ethan blowing up the blow up mattresses while us girls are in the kitchen putting charcuterie boards together and making popcorn. After everything's ready we all change into our pajamas

I change into this and bring out my weighted stuffed bunny. It helps with my anxiety and helps me to fall asleep. 

I also grab my favorite fluffy blanket and slippers and head out to the living room where everyone else has already curled up in their chosen air mattress or on the couch. 

Brooke is sitting on my brothers lap and is arguing with Ethan on what movie we were gonna watch. They're always arguing about something I laugh to myself and take a seat on the couch between my brother and Asher. We finally decided on one of the die hard movies I guess Brooke won that argument.

The movie starts and I can feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier. I hadn't really been able to sleep after my nightmare last night. I let sleep take over me and can feel my head resting on a very hard pillow I don't know how that pillow got there and why it's so hard but I'm so tired I don't care so imma just go with it.

- Asher's Pov -

My eyes are focused on the stupid barbie movie that Jules and Brook insisted on but my mind is elsewhere. I feel a head drop on my should and I glance down and see Madison fast asleep, her breathing gentle and rhythmic. She looks cute when she's asleep.

"Stop it, Asher," I berate myself silently. I shake her off, a bit rougher than necessary, and she jerks awake, her eyes wide with confusion. I know I'm being an asshole, but that's what I'm best at. As realization dawns on her, a flush creeps up her cheeks, and she quickly turns her attention back to the TV, pretending to focus on the movie.

I roll my eyes and get up, needing a break. "I'll be back," I mutter over my shoulder as I head out to the patio. My phone buzzes, and I see it's my dad. Fucking hell, what does he want now?

I answer reluctantly. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, son, when the fuck are you coming home?"

"Dad, I already told you, I'm staying here for the summer," I sigh, feeling the familiar tension rise.

"Your mom wants you home," he says, his anger palpable.

"You know why I'm not fucking coming home, and so does she. And she's not my fucking mom, so I couldn't care less what she wants. Stop fucking calling me about it," I snap, hanging up on him. My words are cruel, but he deserves it.

I collapse into one of the patio chairs, burying my face in my hands. I know he's hurt and angry that I chose to stay here this summer, but I couldn't go back there, not after what happened. Everything changed that night. He changed. I don't want to see them right now. Otherwise, I'm going to say something or do something I'll regret.

I shrug off the heavy thoughts and light a cigarette, trying to think about anything else. My mind drifts back to Madison. I don't know why she pisses me off so much. She hasn't really done anything to me, but the things Jake has told me about his family break my heart for him.

Jake has been my best friend since our first day at NYU. We bonded over our mutual hatred for our wack job of a college success class teacher. I've shared things with him I've never told anyone, and he's done the same. Maybe that's why Madison being here gets under my skin. I've gotten so close to these people, felt comfortable for once, and now this new, spoiled rich girl shows up, making me feel like I have to close myself off again.

I hear Jake approaching behind me. "Hey, dude, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm alright. Just stuff with my dad, you know how it is."

"Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry," he says, reaching out for a cigarette. I hand him one, and we sit in silence for a minute.

"I'm gonna head to bed. It's gonna be a long-ass day tomorrow," I say, and Jake laughs, following me inside. I laugh with him, trying to maintain the facade that I'm fine.