Repression ▶ M•C ▶ 2/3

Chapter 24

Ashton's POV

So apparently Gwyneth went home yesterday, and Calum hasn't come out of him room since he found out shortly after. I've been out of the loop for a while so I shouldn't be surprised when I'm the last one to know about what's happening in their lives these days, but it still feels a bit isolating to be unaware of what's going on around me. I was sat on the sofa in the living room, Michael lounging around on the one opposite, trying to concentrate between his phone screen and the tv. He was so lucky, he managed to get Georgie to fall in love with him all over again, and he's gotten everything he came here to get back. I still had hope deep down that something might happen between me and her, because I was still in love with her, I was simply giving her time to be herself. However Michael swooped in and took her before I even got a chance, making this whole trip pointless, I should have left with Gwyneth yesterday.

"Hey" There was a voice behind me, and both Michael and I turned to the living room doorway. I couldn't believe it, Georgie walked into the room, with long purple hair and a wide smile on her face. I wanted to cry; it was like she had come back to us, the one we met in September last year. She didn't actually see me, she just skipped straight over to Mike, curling up beside him and grinning at each other. I couldn't sit there and watch them be happy, it made me feel sick with jealousy, I had to go. I got off the sofa and walked towards the front door, anywhere was better than here. I opened the front door and slammed it quickly, walking out to the road and strolling along it. I hated being this person, the one that was in love with his best friend's girlfriend. I scuffed along the pavement, not sure where I was going, this place was so confusing, hopefully I can find a beach or something so I don't look like an idiot walking around the streets hopelessly.

"Shit" Someone cursed from behind, the sound of something falling to the floor came slightly before. I turned around and saw a girl a short distance away, looking longingly down at the scattered books on the pavement. Her long dark hair was covering her face, as she crouched down on the floor. I hesitated, trying to think of how this would work out if I went over and helped her, maybe it was just easier to walk away. She seemed distressed, and would probably benefit from talking to someone about it; maybe she would help me take my mind off of Georgie for a while. "Need some help?" I walked over and crouched in front of her, picking up a black sketch book and holding it out to her. She looked up at me and smiled, her lips were a pinky red colour, and her teeth were white and gleaming. She had light brown eyes and really long eyelashes that curled towards her neatly shaped eyebrows. She took the book from my hand and put it with the other pile she had been carrying, before standing back up again. "Thanks" She spoke, as I got up from the floor and remained in front of her.

"Wait, you're Australian right? I can tell by your accent. You don't happen to know Georgie Moore by any chance?" She suddenly became more confident, raising her eyebrows suspiciously at me. I laughed at her and nodded. "Yeah, we're visiting for her birthday" She started walking and I decided to follow her. "Well then Aussie, I'm Gracie, one of Georgie's best friends, nice to meet you" She grinned, holding out her free hand. I shook it firmly and liked her humour. She was different to anyone I'd ever met before; she made me feel this strange sense of comfort, even though I had only known her for literally a minute. "Hi Gracie, I'm Ashton, one of Michael's best friends, nice to meet you too" I smirked. "She's never mentioned you before" I scoffed, looking down the endless road, with similar suburban houses lined up next to each other. England was different to Sydney, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. "Well she never mentioned you either, and I think I would remember if she had said something about hot Australian boys in skinny jeans" She put her hand to her mouth and clear her throat. She made all the jealously that I had for Georgie and Michael had washed away, and for the first time in almost a year, I had forgotten what it was like to be consumed by my own feelings.

"I have an idea Aussie" She changed the subject quickly. I turned to listen to her, as she took her bag off her shoulder and opened it, shifting her handful of books to her free hand. "I'm bored and have no plans, and you look like you're dying for somewhere to go, so I suggest that you and I got drink beer in the park and throw beer cans at pigeons" She rummaged around before taking out a six pack of beer, and pushing it into my hands. She then shoved all her booked into her bag and pulled it back onto her shoulder. "Can you handle that?" She crossed her arms and stopped walking with me. I looked down at the beer, then back to her. "Is everyone around here like you?" I asked, pulling out a can from the packaging and opening it. She laughed and pulled another beer from my hands. "Oh god no" She started walking again, opening that can and taking a long sip from it. "Then I'm definitely coming with you" I smirked, copying her sip and walked away with her along the quiet streets, the sun high up in midday the sky, covered by grey clouds.