haze / afi

part 55. argument

it had been two weeks. two weeks since they got home from ohio, two weeks since violet has been herself, two weeks she's been staying at ashton's place and two weeks of him wishing there was something he could do, something he could say to make her feel better.

she'd been in a slump for these past two weeks. sleeping a lot, only having the energy for eating food or getting a drink when needed, getting upset over tiny things.

for example, a few days ago, ashton thought things weren't going too badly. violet had taken a shower in the afternoon and seemed fine after that. until she for some reason didn't know what clothes to put on.

weirdly, she broke down. sitting on the end of his bed in front of where she had her clean clothes laid out. she cried. cried and cried and cried. until ashton wondered why she'd been so long, he didn't like walking in to see her in such a state.

ashton was determined to do something nice, take violet out somewhere so she could get some fresh air. if she felt up to it of course.

it's late morning on a wednesday, violet sitting on the couch in ashton's living room. sipping on some hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream that he had made for her.

ashton walks out of the kitchen, plate of pancakes in hand. covered in sweet maple syrup. he makes his way over to violet, offering up the plate he's holding as well as a knife and fork.

she smiles softly, placing her drink down on the coffee table so she can take hold of the food. in doing so, she notices the oddly shaped pancakes, just about making out that they look a little like hearts.

"were you trying to make them heart shaped?" she giggles softly. he nods, slightly embarrassed that she could only just tell. "i love them, thank you."

she leans towards him, kissing his cheek. he sits with her, eating his own pancakes as she eats hers. meanwhile, he's trying to find the courage to ask if she'd be up to going out today.

why is he so worried? it's only going to be a yes or a no. pretty simple.

"i know you still aren't feeling great," ashton starts off gently. "but, i thought maybe we could go out and get some fresh air today, maybe go to to the beach or up one of the hiking trails to sit for a while."

she's quiet for a moment, mouthful of food probably being why. she puts her fork down for a moment, looking towards ashton.

"can we go somewhere quiet?" she asks.

"have you been to the state park before?" he questions, she shakes her head. "it's a short drive to get there, but it's a big open space, we should be able to find somewhere quiet there."

"okay," she agrees. "i'll finish this and go change."

she eats up her pancakes, ashton taking her plate and cup away from her to wash while she changes into something she'd be more comfortable going out in.

she goes upstairs to his room where she has the last of her clean clothes. her options are becoming limited. she picks out her navy blue leggings. scanning over her shirts and hoodies, she has no idea what to wear. she only has a couple of strap tops left, not something she wants to wear out.

and then she feels another breakdown coming, at the exact same time as she hears the floor creak outside of the room.

ashton walks inside, seeing her defeated look in the reflection of his mirror. he sighs, seeing what she's dealing with as she's worn most of her clothes already.

"here, baby," he walks past her to his wardrobe. "you can wear my grey hoodie."

he takes it out, handing it over to her. she smiles, taking her current shirt off right that second, pulling the hoodie on over her head. she instantly feels comfort from how soft it is, mixed with it smelling like him.