Washed Up ≫ A.I

Chapter [41]

[Ashton Irwin]

When I ran out onto the beach again everyone was all scattered around looking at each other nervously. My loud crash through the palm trees suddenly had all worried eyes on me. I walked out, looking over my shoulder and hoping Charlotte wasn't far behind now. Tyson snapped his head over to face me first with his swollen cheeks wrapped tightly with that white cloth. I gave him a sharp look and raised a brow as he narrowed his glance with impatience.

"Ashton where's Charlotte?" He asked.

Denise tucked her arms close to her chest and dropped her head. I forgot I told them she was ahead of me rather than behind me. "You said she left before I found you right?" Brandon added in a snarky input.

My mouth dropped open to speak but I really had no better explanation rather than the truth. But Charlotte made it clear a long time ago. . . she didn't want anyone really finding out that we were messing around together. "I- yeah she-" I moved my hands around but was cut off by Tyson's muffled voice.

"How long ago did you see her?" He stepped forward, tugging at the wrap around his jaw before wincing away painfully.

I bunched my eyebrows together at his intense position and stepped forward to him instead, "I literally just saw her, she'll probably be here any minute." I say hoping they just drop the pestering questions already.

Okay Char now is a good time to walk out. . .

Everyone looked at me like the dots weren't adding up. Well technically they weren't but I wasn't going to cave in. I know how Charlotte feels about all we've been through. It sucks not being able to tell her the truth about how I really feel because I'm being such a wimp. And telling the group before I even tell Charlotte is way off the list.

"Wait. . . what are you not telling us?" Denise suddenly spoke up. She tucked her wrapped hand into her chest and pulled her chin back up to look for my eyes. I looked away and back over my shoulder for Charlotte. Damn we were in some heated trouble here. I bopped on my heels with my head turned towards the trees still. . . Okay Charlotte any minute now. "Ashton where's Charlotte?" Denise brought my attention back with her shaking and nervous tone.

I whipped my head back around towards the group and shouted with impatience, "She's right behind me!"

"You said she should already be here!"

"I know what I said!" I barked at Brandon's immediate counter response. "I lied okay, Charlotte was with me this entire time!"

Suddenly Tyson lunged at me, grabbing my shirt in his fists. I shook him away but his broken face just pounded towards me completely ignoring the aches he must have felt in that fast attack. "Mate!?" I shouted while pushing him off of me. Tyson came at me again, grabbing the ends of my ripped sleeves and yanking my shoulders back and forth.

"Where is she now Ashton!" He shouted, ripping the corners of the cloth that held his jaw in place. I shoved him off of me once again just in time for Brandon and Denise to both hold him back.

I stepped backwards through the sand and straightened out my shirt before looking over my shoulder nervously. I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth and huffed. Yes, where was she?

I didn't even turn to respond, I just headed for the jungle ignoring the shouts of the three behind me. Sure enough however they all followed into the jungle after me. I started off in a sprint, smacking down the annoying branches that were always in the way. Brandon was calling for me in the distance but I didn't stop in order to have them catch up with me. Something was very wrong, Charlotte should have met us on the beach by now. Just by the thought of her hurt or in danger had me running even faster towards the lagoon.