Something Beautiful

↠t h i r t e e n ↠

Song of the chapter:
Knee Socks by Arctic Monkeys

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Ashton and I drove in his Jeep to Ashley's funeral a couple days later. I wore the only dress that I owned; luckily it was black. When we got to the church where the funeral was being held, we decided to stand at the back of the church.

A few people came over to talk to Ashton but nobody spoke to me. I was pretty much invisible. Not that I minded. I was perfectly content just sitting back, and not talking to anybody.

That was, until I saw a face I recognized. Jason McCann, a guy I had had a relationship with, about a year and a half ago. He was off to the side, a little ways away from Ashton and I, talking to a couple of middle-aged women. He was laughing and acting like the charming guy I knew he wasn't. Being in a relationship with him was probably one of the worst mistakes I had ever made. I didn't know why he was here or how he knew Ashley but I had to get out of here.

"Ashton, I--I have to go." I said, still staring at Jason. I really hoped he wouldn't notice me.

"Why?" Ashton asked, confused.

I glanced at him. He was staring at Jason. "I just have to go." I started to walk away, but Ashton grabbed my arm.

"Who is that?" He asked, nodding towards Jason.

"I don't know." I tried to pull away but his grip on my arm was tight.

"Hazel, stop lying. Just tell me who he is." Ashton murmured firmly, as to not cause attention.

"Don't worry about it. It's fine." I whispered. "Now please let go of my arm."

"Is he one of the guys who hurt you?" A question I really hoped he wouldn't ask.

I didn't answer.

"Hazel, stay here with me. He won't be able to hurt you." Ashton stared at me pleadingly. "I'll protect you."

For once, I actually believed what came out of his mouth. I only nodded but continued to stare at Jason. I knew I shouldn't because if he looked my way, he would be able to recognize me right away.

Suddenly, Jason pulled one of the ladies in for a quick hug and waved goodbye to both of them. Then, to my dismay, he started to walk in my direction. My heart beat quickened. Jason didn't see me yet because he had pulled his phone out, and was staring down at it.

"Breathe, Hazel." Ashton murmured, and grabbed my hand, trying to comfort me.

I kept my eyes on Jason. Suddenly, he looked up as if he sensed he was being watched. When he saw me, his lips twisted up into a grin, and he slid his cellphone back into his pocket. Then he looked at my hand in Ashton's and he frowned.

Then he started to walk quicker towards me.

"Hello, Hazel." He said, once he was a couple of feet away from me.

I said nothing. Ashton's grip on my hand became tighter. I tried not to wince.

"Well, aren't you gonna say hello back?" Jason asked, chuckling, as he leaned against the wall beside me, on the opposite side from Ashton.

"Hello, Jason." I said.

"Wow, I'm surprised you haven't killed yourself yet." He chuckled. "All that complaining you did back when we were dating. It really annoyed me, you know."

"Would you just shut up." Ashton growled in a low voice. He sounded so mean.

Jason glanced at him and laughed, not even phased at all. "Who are you, her boyfriend?"

I braced myself, worried about what Ashton was going to say.

"As a matter of fact, I am." Ashton murmured.

Jason snorted. "Well, she must be a real pain in the--"

The next few seconds were a blur. Ashton dropped my hand and grabbed Jason's collar, slamming him against the wall, hard. A few people around us gasped, but nobody stepped in to stop the fight that was about to occur.

"I suggest you let me go now, or else you'll be the second person in that casket." Jason growled.

Ashton only pressed against Jason's neck harder. "You won't be able to hurt me, let alone kill me." He chuckled sarcastically.

"And why not?" Jason squinted his eyes.

"Because I'm as strong as a horse. I don't work at it, I just am." Ashton whispered. "Now we can start making shots at each other, in front of everybody, but in the end, you'll be on the ground and I'll be the one who walks away."

Jason said nothing. In fact, he was struggling for breath.

"I'm going to let you go now." Ashton said and let go of Jason. He stood back, ready to defend himself.

I was so scared that Jason was going to attack him but he didn't. He raised both of his hands and pointed his fingers at Ashton. "The next time I see you, I am going to kill you." With that, he straightened his collar and walked off. He was livid.

"Good luck!" Ashton called after him and then turned back to me. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, too afraid to speak for fear that I would start to cry.

Ashton pulled me in for a hug which surprisingly made me feel a bit better.

Then he pulled away and grabbed my hand, holding it for the rest of the service.

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When the funeral service was over, Ashton dragged me out to find Lizzie and Jim.

There was a huge crowd around them but finally Ashton got Jim's attention.

"Hazel and I aren't going home right away." Ashton said.

Jim stared at him. "And why not? There are going to be a lot of people coming to the house and they'll want to see you, to talk to you."

Ashton shrugged. "I don't really want to talk to anybody right now. And besides, I need to get some things done."

"And Hazel?" Jim glanced at me.

"She's coming with me." Ashton quickly said before I could speak.

Jim didn't look too pleased but he let us go anyways.

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