"Smile like you don't give a damn about the consequence.
Just say anything."
-We Say Summer by All Time Low
*Ashton*
I walked carefully up the stairs and up to the apartment. I was praying that my dad was already passed out on the couch. I turned the door knob slowly and stepped in. I saw my dad drooling, asleep off the edge of the couch. I mentally thank the lords above and walk down the hall into my room. I shut and lock the door, changing into some sweat pants. I jumped in bed, a little happier than I'd been in a while. I was a little embarrassed that Crash, well Luke, found me crying. He probably thought I was a weirdo. Why would he even give me a second glance? But, he actually hugged me. No one had hugged me in so long that I forgot what it felt like. I didn't know why Luke had tried to make me feel better. He was really sweet for doing that. I forgot about my dad for a little while when I was with him. Any time I could forget about the joke that was my life was a good time. I turned over on my side and closed my eyes. For once in the past two years, I wasn't crying myself to sleep.
*morning*
I woke up to quiet, which didn't usually happen. I threw on a sweatshirt, unlocked my door and walked hesitantly into the kitchen. I made myself a cup of coffee and decided to go to the library for the day. It beat staying home, waiting for my dad to come home and hurt me. I walked into my bedroom and pulled on some skinny jeans and a hoodie. I walked into the bathroom and ran my fingers through my hair. It looked good enough. I wasn't going anywhere special. I grabbed my half drank coffee, and dumped it in the sink, grabbing my phone and putting it in my pocket. I slung my backpack over my shoulder. I walked out the door of my apartment and walking down the stairs. I was a lot less sore than yesterday, but had fresh bruises. I could stand up slightly more straight and not like a giraffe learning to walk for the first time.I walked out the door of the building and made my way down the street.
The library was only a few blocks from where I lived, so I was there within 10 minutes. I pulled open the door and walked in. I found my way to my usual table in the corner. I put down my backpack and grabbed my notes out. I looked over my study guide for a while, growing bored quickly. It was winter break, why study all day? I decided to go find a book to read to occupy myself. I walk around a little bit and end up asking the librarian if she recommends anything. She gives me a few titles and I set out to find them. Wow that sounded like I was going on a journey or something. Christopher Columbus 101. I eventually found the shelf that the book was on, being that the author's name started with an M. I crouched down and browsed the spines of books in front of me, realizing it was up higher. I stood up, looking up seeing the book I wanted. It was up on the top shelf. It didn't help that I was pretty short. I noticed a ladder near the door when I came in earlier, and went to grab it. When I got back, I set the ladder up where I needed it and started to climb. I got to the top, reaching for the book and pulling it out. I was starting to climb down when I felt the ladder start to shake and next thing I knew, I was toppled over on the ground, surrounded by books. I shove them off of me and notice a girl looking at me. She was wearing a Vans shirt with black skinny jeans and converse.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to nudge the ladder." She said extending her hand to help me up.
"It's okay," I said, and she smiled.
"I'm Willow."
"Ashton."
"So, I'm new here and I really don't know anyone. Wanna be friends? Wait I just pushed you off a ladder, why would you wanna be my friend?" She asked nervously. She looked harmless and I wasn't exactly in a position to decline friends.
"It's fine really. And sure, I'd love to be friends."
So Willow and I talked about anything and everything the rest of the day. The conversations basically went like so:
"Hey I really like __."
"Me too!"
And then we just talked about that thing for a while and moved on to the next thing. We had so much in common it was scary. We both loved music, and we both loved all the same bands. Both of us liked school and our favorite subject was English. We both liked reading, because it was an escape from reality. It was really cliche, but where had she been all my life? But, it didn't matter because I had her now. Apparently she had moved from America because her dad had to be relocated for his job.
We sat in the library for what felt like 5 minutes, but was actually a few hours, and just talked.
"Hey Ash, wanna go grab coffee at Starbucks?" Willow asked looking over at me.
"Yeah sure." I replied. We both got up and walked towards the front of the library. I pushed the door open and held it open for Willow. We walked down the street side by side. When we arrived at Starbucks, I held the door for Willow again, because I'm such a gentlemen. We both ordered our drink and waited at the counter. I felt someone staring at me and awkwardly turned around. Sure enough, there was someone. And that someone was Luke. And he was right behind me.
