Lifeline

Drinking

I dropped the bottle, the rest of it spilling over the carpet. This was it, this was my death, and yet I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"Hi, Ashton," I giggled; he did not look impressed with me

He glared at me, his eyes dark with rage, and pulled out his phone to text someone; a minute later, Grayson and Ezra appeared.

"Take them home." he directed his statement at Ezra, who simply nodded and walked out, Lily and Kaya following.

"How much did you drink Aspen?" Grayson questioned, but I didn't answer. I was too busy staring at Ashton; his silence killing me.

"Aspen Elizabeth." I snapped my head towards Grayson as he spewed out my middle name.

"How. Much. Did. You. Drink." he gritted out, clearly annoyed

"Only the vodka," I whispered

"She'll be fine, some painkiller and a glass of water before bed." He directed his statement towards Ashton and walked out of the room.

"Let's go," he said towards me, but he refused to meet my eyes

I tried to stand up, swaying immediately to long strides, and Aston was next to me, gripping my arm, keeping me steady while also dragging me toward my room. The house was spinning, and the stairs were too hard. I could hear Ashton's sighs, and I knew he was getting annoyed, but nothing was making sense right now.

Soon, I felt myself being lifted into my bed, and snuggling up to my pillow was the best thing I had felt in a while. My light was switched off, and I drifted off to sleep.

I awoke the next morning feeling like I had been hit by a bus. Instead of my phone, I found a glass of water and painkillers waiting for me on my nightstand. As I sat off to take them, a wave of nausea swept over me. Taking deep breaths, I downed the water. I knew I had to venture downstairs at some point; I may as well just get it over with.

As I walked downstairs, I saw all my brothers sitting at the table, and when I entered, every single one looked at me except Ashton. I could feel the disappointment radiating off of him. I slowly walked to my seat and after two long antagonizing minutes, Ashton cleared his throat.

"Give us a minute." And with that, my brothers scattered away like their asses were on fire.

"Talk." He said to me

I shrugged. " I don't know," I started out, "it was stupid, but we just wanted to have fun."

This seemed to make him angrier. "Stupid doesn't even begin to cover it, Aspen."

I don't know why this made me snap, but it did. "I know I fucked up okay, but it's not like I am the first high schooler to drink, god, even the boys did it that one time."

The rage in his eyes was at a height, and his voice was scary calm when he spoke next.

"First off, don't you ever curse at me again, little girl. Second, I am not raising you to be like everyone else, I am raising you to be better. As for the boys, you will do well to remember they got in trouble, too. Clearly, you have nothing productive to add to this conversation. You are grounded one month, you don't get to drink at family events until 19, and since you can't drive yet like the twins were, you will instead be receiving your license a month late next year. Now, go to your room, and don't bother coming out until you are ready to tell me what the hell is going on with you."

—---

I was curled up in my bed. This day sucked, this week sucked, and high school just sucked. It was around 7:00 p.m. when I saw another living thing, Ashton opened my door, carrying a plate full of food; he sat on my desk and then settled into my chair in the corner.

"Eat," he demanded

I slid out of my bed and towards my desk

"Aspen, what is going on with you these last two months? Ever since you started high school, you have been acting out in a way you never used to. I get it teenagers are moody and rebellious; trust me, I've raised them before, but it's like you are a whole new person I barely recognize."

Tears were streaming down my cheeks at his words, I felt like such a failure.

"Talk to me, bug; I want to understand what's going on. I want to help."

His voice was pleading, his eyes desperate, but I couldn't talk to him; it would only make it worse.

"Please, Aspen, you have to meet me halfway."

I just shook my head again, pushing my plate away. I was done, and I wanted him to go away.

I heard him sigh, get up, and then felt a kiss on my head. "goodnight, bug," and as soon as the door closed, I completely broke down.