Something Beautiful

↠t w e n t y - f o u r ↠

Song of the chapter:
Beware by Big Sean

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The next week went by in a blur for me. I stayed in my room most of the time, only leaving to shower, use the washroom or feed myself. I rarely saw Ashton. I saw him once when I was heading to the bathroom. He didn't look at me, his expression unreadable. I wanted to talk to him but was so scared of being shut down.

It was a week after Ashton rejected me. I went upstairs to grab a snack, praying that he was in his room or anywhere away from me. Lizzie was digging around in the fridge.

"Hello, Lizzie." I greeted her.

She turned to look up at me and grinned. She stood up and wiped her hands on her jeans. "Good morning Hazel. I haven't seen you lately. As a matter of fact, I haven't seen Ashton either. What have you two been up to?"

My stomach clenched. "N--nothing much." I forced a tight smile. I couldn't tell her about what happened. She didn't need to worry about me.

Suddenly there was a couple of raps on the front door. I turned and looked at it and then back at Lizzie. "Do you want me to get that?" I asked.

"Sure." She said, and winked at me for some odd reason.

I hurried over to the door and opened it. Then I gasped.

"Mom, Dad! What are you doing here?" I exclaimed as I ran into their arms.

My father made an oof! sound but hugged me back tightly. "How are you?"

"I'm fantastic!" I exclaimed as I pulled away from them and opened the door wider so they could come into the house. "What are you doing here?" I exclaimed.

"Lizzie told us to come." My mother said.

I looked back at Lizzie who was grinning from ear to ear. "Well, your mother called me a couple days ago, saying that you never call her and she was wondering why. I told her to just come visit you and I'd take you guys out for a nice dinner and everything!"

I ran and gave her a hug. She hugged me back tightly. "You better go get dressed in something fancy, hun."

I grinned and nodded. I started to walk back downstairs.

"And Hazel?" She called after me.

I stopped and turned slightly.

"Tell Ashton to dress up nicely, too." She smiled.

There was that same clenching feeling in my stomach again. It wasn't her fault though. She didn't know anything about what happened and thought she was doing me a favor. I nodded at her and continued downstairs, except slower and less eager.

I stood outside his door, afraid to knock. I heard Green Day playing in his room quietly.

Maybe he won't hear me, I hoped.

I rapped quietly on the door. A few seconds later, the music stopped and I heard footsteps coming towards the door.

Dammit.

The door opened and Ashton stood there shirtless, but wearing black jeans. When he saw me, he frowned. "Yes?" He asked.

"Um--Lizzie told me to tell you to dress nicely." I said quietly.

"Why?"

"I don't know. Ask her." I muttered. I turned and headed in the direction of my room.

"Dammit, Hazel!" He suddenly exclaimed.