Something Beautiful

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Song of the chapter: ♪
Female Robbery by The Neighborhood

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After I got off the phone with the girl using Ashley's phone (she claimed her name was Cara Delevingne) I just stared at Ashton, unable to speak.

He became worried. "What's wrong?"

"We--we--have to--" I couldn't say it. I just crumpled down to the floor and threw my head in my hands, bawling.

I felt someone pick me up bridal-style and carry me to my bed. "Hazel, it's going to be okay. Just breathe." He sat down and settled me in his lap sideways.

"She didn't--didn't wake up." I sobbed into his neck.

He rubbed my back soothingly. "Who didn't wake up? He whispered.

"Ash--Ashley." I looked up at him, tears still streaming down my face.

All color drained from his face and he set his lips in a firm straight line. He gently set me down beside me and whispered in my ear, "I'll be right back." He got up and left my room, leaving the door wide open, and ran upstairs.

I could hear some muttering upstairs, a gasp and then footsteps moving quickly across the floor. He told Ashley's parents.

It was quite awhile before Ashton came back downstairs. When he did, he sat down beside me and hugged me close to his chest.

By then, I had calmed down enough to speak without stuttering. "What happened?" I croaked.

He cleared his throat before speaking. "They called Ashley's friend, Carlie or whatever, and now they're headed off to the hospital."

"Her name's Cara. Did Ashley wake up?"

He hesitated before answering. "No, no she didn't. And they said that her breathing is irregular."

I started breathing hard, beginning to panic again. "No. She has to wake up!"

Ashton held me close again and started stroking my arm. "It's going to be okay. The doctors can fix her up."

I sat up suddenly. "What makes you so sure? And why are you acting so calm about this? Ashley is on the verge of dying, Ashton. I thought you couldn't handle bad news."

He looked at me for a long time. I thought he didn't catch all of what I said. But then he answered in a low whisper. "Because you need me. I need to take care of you first before thinking about myself."

I was so confused. "But you don't even know me."

He sighed. "I guess I wish I did."

Trust me, you don't want to know me. There's so many things that go on in my life, and you shouldn't want to be a part of that.

"Why?" I asked, "there's nothing special about me."

He shrugged. "You just seem different from other girls."

I snorted, which was odd considering I was in tears just moments before. "How?"

"Well, first of all, you don't throw yourself at me, and second of all, you're probably the first girl I'm not related to that has no problem screaming at me." He chuckled. "And you're also so beautiful."

I shook my head. Why did he keep saying that?

"Hazel. Yes, you are."

I glared at him. "You can't just say that because I'm emotional right now and you think I need to hear that. Because you know, if I were a different girl, I might actually believe you but luckily I can see right through your lame act." I moved away from him and sat on the opposite side of the bed, leaning my head against the wall.

"Hazel, it's true!" He exclaimed. "Why don't you believe me?"

I glared at him. He knew exactly what he was doing. "I don't believe you because it's not true! You're just like every other guy, you treat a girl like she's your princess and then once you know you got her hooked, you use her!" I pretty much screamed the last few words. I was so sick and tired of falling for a guy and then everything going completely wrong. Getting used, abused, all of it! I just couldn't get away!

He chuckled. "I'm sorry for stating a fact." He stood up and went over to my desk where the CD that he lent me laid. He picked it up and glanced at me with a smirk on his face. "So be honest, did you like this?"

"It was okay." I still didn't want him to know that I loved it.

"Just okay?" He asked.

I nodded. What was he getting at?

"Alright. If it was just okay, I guess I'll just take it back then." He turned to exit my room.

"Hey!" I jumped up off my bed and caught up to him, grabbing his wrist. He had a huge stack of bracelets on both wrists, either rubber bands or hand woven ones. He had like twenty on each wrist. When I grabbed his wrist, he tensed under my touch and pulled away.

I stood back, ready for him to blow up on me.

But when he turned, his mouth was turned up in a half smile. "So you did like it."

I reached for the CD and he pulled it out of my reach, holding it high above his head. "Just give it back!" I exclaimed.

"Tell me you like it first!" He was full-out grinning now, and his eyes seemed to taunt me.

"Very mature." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

"My name is Ashton. Who said anything about being mature?"

"Whatever. Sure, maybe I do like the CD. But that's no reason to be a jerk." I glared at him

"Don't be so cranky!" He smiled.

He was holding the CD at his side now. I took that as a chance to steal it back. When I did, he yelled out "Hey!"

"Don't take it from me again." I smirked.