Her last breath

[two]

Ashton

She missed the bus and the first two periods. I didn't understand what she had said last night. I knew girls were dramatic about things like this but Harper had never been that girl. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I skipped fifth period to go see her. Unfortunately Jennifer decided to do so as well, meaning we would be crossing paths getting to our or whoever guys car she was with now. I kept my head down and sped up my pace when I could hear them down the hall clearly buzzed.
I wonder how much this will cost her parents..
  Warm stinky breath broke my thoughts as it mumbled on dirty secrets in my ear. I battled her off the best I could before jogging to my car and not looking back not wanting to know what she would most likely be at Prom. It made me sick thinking about it. It was Senior Prom for goodness sake, and I was going with an alcoholic; classy Ashton. I needed to go and see her, she wasn't responded to any texts or calls.
I couldn't drive fast enough to find her. I went to her house but there wasn't any sign of her even when I unlocked the front door with the key under a heavy rock.
Think think think. Where does she feel protected?
And suddenly it clicked. She liked reading books more than watching movies, always quoting love stories and poems...I knew where Harper was.

••••••

About two more miles and I would be able to talk to her. Deep in thought I was completely oblivion to the sirens getting closer to my tail.

Harper
I couldn't do it today. I hated Mondays to start with but I had decided that however many breaths my software was programmed for, I wouldn't have a failure at school. It wasn't that I was popular, I was far from it but not a nerd. I loved books so the day at the library was how I spent my long day and evening. I couldn't concentrate on the words in front of me even when I did try to concentrate.
It was time to head home and at least attempt to make dinner for dad and I since mom had a night shift at the hospital and dad's surgeries were long. It was Thursday which meant spaghetti and meatballs. I was about to get in my car when I heard sirens that lead a black 2010 jeep that I knew all too well.
  The cars stopped making me want to leave, but they were blocking my escape route.
Shoot. This sucks.
   I mentally hit my head against the wheel at least 30 times before I heard a knock on the window. Ashton was standing there and boy he did not look good. His hair hadn't been brushed, eyes still had morning or nap crust, and a wrinkles shirt that didn't match his frat boy shorts; he never ever not matched.
"Well you look like the shit bus ran over you and then backed up and ran you over 5 more times" I smirked applauding my comeback. He sent me a dirty glare and something flashed in his eyes but quickly disappeared as if it was never there.
  "Shut up and get in my car we're going to get pizza." He muttered.
  "Will you be paying?" I asked playfully.
  Ashton shot me a glance, "Don't I always?"
   I got out of the car and skipped to the passenger side trying to avoid the flutter and warmth in my inside.

••••••

There was a silence that could've killed. It was dead silence, you could hear the world passing by outside through flashes. I looked over to see Ashton's knuckles paper white gripping the wheel.
"How long" he seemed to simply say, almost scared to say out loud.
"You know where we are going!! We always go here, they even know our names and orders!"
"No Harper..till you die..if that's even true."

Shiz. Who told him?

"Pull over Ashton. Let me explain." I said with a shaky breathe. I didn't realize I was crying until I finished explaining what the doctor had said and what it felt like. He didn't react, just hugging me keeping it all in. I looked up at him with glassy eyes needing some encouragement, will he stand by my side? Why would he Harper it's not like he is dating you.
I really need to stop talking to myself. 
  "I'm here for you and will be there for any appointments, events, fundraisers, and anything in between."
  It was then I realized how hard I had fallen.