It takes sometime for my brain to process that he is indeed Cole. But therecwas something different about him. Scratch that. Everything was different about him.
"You didn't mention your friend being such a hottie" Ray leans closer to me and said while checking him out.
"I didnt know"
Justin Beiber's 'baby' breaks the awkwardness and catches Cole's attention who till then didn't know we were standing there.
"Shit. Mom's calling. Common Ray we gotta go" zade held his phone contemplating whether to deline or answer the call.
"Seriously. That's your ringtone?" Ray snatches the phone from him with an eyebrow raised before we burst out laughing.
"Hey don't judge. Oh and happy birthday again. I'll see you at school lilz" he said before grabbing Ray's hand and running towards his bike.
After they left my attention went back to Cole and Levi who was just standing there with his hands folded.
I was about to say something... anything when he just left and went back inside.
Not even a hi?
My brows scrunched in confusion. I looked at Levi who looked down.
"What's happening Lev?" I asked hurt laced in my voice
"I don't know Lily. He's been like that since they arrived. He barely even looked at me. He changed a lot. He's not the Cole we used to know" Levi was hurt by this too. We all used to be close but something happened to them. Something that we're not aware of yet.
We went back inside to find mom sitting alone in the dining table fidgeting with her finger.
"Mom?" Levi went and sat beside her.
"Sit. There's something you two need to know" mom shuffled in her seat. Whatever she wanted to say was clearly not a good news.
I pulled out a chair and sat across Levi preparing for whatever it is she wanted to say. I had an idea who it was about.
"George is in jail" she blurted out her hands covering her face as her eyes teared up.
I knew what she wanted to say was related to the Asher's but this caught me off guard.
How could George be in jail? And for what? Being the sweetest guy ever?
It didn't make sense. I couldn't believe it.
There was a long silence in the table. A turmoil of emotions was going through each of our minds.
We've been close to Asher's since for ever. We've known them for a long time and we're basically family. Something like this effects our family as much as it did to them.
"Why?" Levi broke the silence. Her voice breaking in between.
"For domestic violence" she said her voice barely visible but we heard it nonetheless.
"What?! Mom it cant be true. How could George do that. We've known them for so long. How did this happen?" Levi got up slamming his fist against the table.
"Levi please keep your voice down. The last thing we want is to scare them. They've already gone through so much" mom cried
All this was a lot to process.
"What happened?" I asked fighting back my tears
"George has been abusing Emily for over a year now. When things got out of hands she called the police. "
"What do you mean things got out of hands?" I was no longer able to hold on my tears as one managed to slipped out.
"He started abusing Cole and June" mom held her mouth to hold in noice as she cried.
"Oh god" I got up sprinting to my room.
I closed my door, grabbing mr.pringles, the teddy bear Cole gifted me, as I cried.
I had no idea what they went through. What he went through while I blamed him for not being here on Christmas.
'Baby' by Justin Beiber played while I cried. My ringtone.
It was Ray who was calling me.
"Hello" I sounded like a dying horse as I cringed at my own voice.
"Are you crying?!" Ray screamed
"What? No!"
"Have you been drinking then?" She asked sounding betrayed
"No! I was sleeping" I lied
"Sleeping! That's way worse. It's your birthday girl. Have some fun." She screamed again
"I'm tired. I've been up all night." I lied again.
Tiredness was the last thing I felt now and I was certainly not sleepy after what I just heard.
"You know what. Sleep tight. You still have time before school starts and I don't want you showing up like a zombie at the party"
Shit. I totally forgot about the party.
"Yeah...party. it's gonna be fun" I said sarcasm dripping with each word
"What's up with your tone. Don't tell me.."
"I'm not comming" I blurted out.
The party was something I was looking forward to but right now I don't feel like partying.
"I understand. You don't have to if you don't want to lilz. I'm not going either. How bout we crash at my place at we'll have a girls time. Just you, me, pizza and Netflix." She said surprisingly understanding.
"Are you ok with that?" I expected her to screw at me or scold me or whatever but I didn't expect this.
"Ofcourse girl. I'm your bestfriend"
"You, me, pizza and Netflix. Sounds perfect" I was so relieved she understood me.
"Maybe we can talk about what's bothering you then?" She asked hopefully
"Maybe" I replying chuckling as I wiped my tears.
Just as I declined the call someone knocked the door.
"Honey. Can I come in" it was mom.
"Just a sec mom" I got up opening the door.
Mom came in sitting at the edge of my bed patting the place next to me as I went and sat next to her.
"I know it's late but Happy Birthday honey. I'm sorry it all happened today. I wanted it to be special but you know how everything is right now" she sounded disappointment. Her voice breaking a bit as the result of crying a few minutes back.
"It's fine mom. I want to be there for them too." I placed reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You can still make it to tonight's party though." She said with a sly grin
What? How did she know about that
"W-What party"
"Don't worry. I know all about that little highschool party you two are going tonight. Just make sure to be back before midnight" She looked at me with a serious expression before we both burst out laughing .
"I'm... not going" I turned facing her.
"Honey it's alright. Go and have some fun. Get your mind off these things. It's your 18th birthday. Just make sure your brother does not find out. He can be a bit overprotective sometimes." She pulled me into a hug.
"I just don't feel like partying right now. Maybe I'll stay over at Ray's " I asked hopefully.
"Sure honey" she said with a knowing smile.
We stayed in a peaceful silence for a while. Mom was fidgeting her fingers that clearly indicates she has something to say.
"What is it mom? Common shot. I can handle one more" I joked but mom remained serious.
"Cole and June will be joining your highschool starting tomorrow "
YOU ARE READING
Perfect Mess
Teen FictionLydia Hayes life was quite normal like any other highschool girl. The only major problem she faced was hiding her tiny crush on her bestfriend's brother. That was until it all turned into a mess when he entered her life. Cole Asher, her childhood fr...
