Sleeping With a Friend

Chapter Seventeen

I sat in my bedroom, television on some Lifetime movie that only made me hate my life a little more and a tub of ice cream that was already half gone. I hated feeling so vulnerable, but there was a hole in my chest from where my feelings for Ashton had settled. It had only been a few days since that horrid day in his house. Any rational person would have just let it go, but then again any rational person wouldn't become friends with benefits with anyone. Ashton had texted me a few times wondering if we could talk about what happened, but I didn't feel up to it, up to facing him. I didn't want to actually admit my feelings to him, I'd much rather prefer sulking in my bedroom. When my phone began ringing, I figured it was him again, only trying mend something I felt couldn't be mended. I let it ring, trying to focus on the movie, but then it began ringing once more. I groaned, reaching for the device, only seeing it was Sophie that was trying to reach me.

"Hello?" I answered softly.

"Y/N where have you been? Are you purposely ignoring me?" Her loud voice startled me through the phone and I held it away from my ear until she was done speaking.

"No. I haven't talked to anyone in a few days." I told her.

"What? Why? Did something happen?" Obviously something happened otherwise I wouldn't have shut off the world. I didn't respond in enough time before she continued, "Well I'm coming over, buzz me up." I grumbled, knowing that if I ignored the demand she would be consistent in letting me know she was there and then I'd be forced to let her in.

"Fine. Hold on." I instructed, having to remove myself with ease from my bed to not knock over the ice cream. I buzzed her up and unlocked my door so she could just walk in.

"Y/N?" She called, walking through the front door.

"Kitchen." I yelled back, hearing her footsteps approach.

"Alright. What's going on?" Her keys clinked against the counter. I turned with a cup of hot tea in my hand, seeing her lean against the counter, making herself at home like usual.

"What do you mean?" I asked, hoping to hold off any question about me and Ashton for as long as I could.

"I mean with you." She looked at me like I was stupid and I sipped my tea.

"Nothing." I shrugged with a sigh.

"It's Ashton isn't it?" I should have known she would see right through it. "I told you Y/N."

"Sophie please. I don't need your 'I told you so' alright? I know it was a stupid idea. Okay?" I told her harshly. "Please just don't even talk about it. I want to forget it ever happened." A heavy sigh left my lips at the end of the sentence. I knew she was right, it was a stupid situation to be involved in, but I didn't need her rubbing it into my face like she's done with certain things in the past. I paced out of the kitchen and back into my bedroom. If I couldn't sulk alone, I at least wanted to be comfortable.

She threw her hands up in defense, "Fine, fine." She said shaking her head, following behind me. Carefully as to not spill the drink in my hand, I resumed my spot on my bed. It was still warm from me sitting here before. Sophie sat on the edge of the bed, blocking my view of the television. I had a feeling she was doing it on purpose to get me to talk to her, and unfortunately I think it was working. "But really I want to make sure you're okay." She finally said, bringing out her sympathetic side.

"I am. You don't have to worry about me. I did it to myself." As the truth left my lips, a reminiscent of memories ran through my mind. Although the time I had with Ashton was brief, I didn't actually regret it, any of it. My mother may have scolded me if she ever found out, but wouldn't any parent? I'm still allowed to make mistakes and if when Ashton and I did was one of them, then so be it.

"Well part of the reason I came over here is because Ashton wanted me too." I had turned to take my tea off the nightstand, but stopped in mid-motion.

"Are you kidding me?" I spat.

"Let me finish." She scolded my interruption. "Part of the reason I came over here was because of Ashton. He called me and asked if you were feeling alright because you hadn't talked to him in a few days. He was actually worried about you. But the majority of the reason I'm here right now is because I am your best friend and I do care when you're upset. As soon as he mentioned you not talking to, I knew something was up. We have the best friend telepathy stuff. Ya know when you can sense the other person being upset or whatever?" Sophie chuckled at the end of her sentence.

"Well I highly doubt two things: 1) that telepathy is a real thing and 2) that Ashton was really worried about me. All he wanted was one thing and that's exactly what I gave him." I shrugged. Sophie didn't say anything in return. With a wide grin plastered on her face, she scooted herself next to me on the bed, the tub of ice cream in between us. She grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, making the movie the only thing we could hear despite the outside noise of the busy streets of the city. We stayed like that for a few moments, but knowing Sophie, she wouldn't stay so relaxed at a moment like this. I glanced at her from the corner of my eye to see her tapping at her chin. "What are you thinking about?" I asked.

"Are you going to stay in this room forever? Or do you plan on getting back out there and enjoying yourself. You know the whole living young and free?"

"I'm going to stay here until I get sick of it, then I'll move into the living room and when I get sick of that, I don't know. Maybe I'll go to the roof or something." I laughed.

"No Y/N seriously, we need to get you back out there. You need to show Ashton that this doesn't phase you. That you're the strong woman I know you to be." Her words did make me feel triumphant.

"I actually thought about texting Michael, maybe going out on a few dates with him. He seemed really sweet the few times we hung out together." I didn't even have to finish my sentence before I saw the smile spread across her devious face.

"Yes! Yes! That's perfect! What did he say? Are you going out with him?" Oh her questions, never ending.

"I haven't even talked to him yet. I'm not even sure he would want to go out with me. I don't think I'm his type."

"Oh Y/N," She groaned, sight of disapproval now overriding the happiness. "You need to text him right this second. Right now. He would be stupid not to go out with you. Ugh, you're so lucky you have me." She mumbled, snatching my phone from the crease of the comforter.

"Um, what do you think you're doing?" I tried to pry my phone out of her hands, or at least get a look at what she was up to, but she hopped off the bed before I could. She began talking to herself under her breath and I could only imagine the damage she was causing. I crawled to the edge of the bed, waiting with my hand out for her to give my phone back. Moments later, she smirked, handing my phone back to me almost too easily.

"What did you do?" I groaned, scrolling through. It buzzed and the message icon grew a one from the corner, making me glare up at her. "Did you seriously text Ashton?"

She quickly shook her head, "Nope. Michael." Sophie was like one of those little kids who every time they did something wrong they were too cute to yell at and afterward you would feel bad for doing so. But I wasn't going to yell at her for texting Michael, seeing as I had wanted to but couldn't actually gussy up the courage to go through with it. I could feel myself falling back into my original ways of doing everything exactly how everyone pictured me to do it, without a flaw, or even almost too perfect. I couldn't stand the thought of being that person again. I had liked who I was with Ashton. "What did he say?"

My eyes read over the message she had sent, then the one he replied, "He said, 'Sure! How about a movie later?' With a smiley face at the end." I dragged my teeth against my lip, feeling myself blush.

"You. Are. So. Welcome." She cheered, clapping her hands to every word. "Looks like we have to get you ready for a date little missy."