Broken Home

XXXIV

Ashton

"The tumor is still there, and he's not getting any better. He just threw up." Connor cried.

"I'm so sorry." I hugged her.

Her body shook with every sob, her tears dampening my shirt. She looked like a wreck, her hair disheveled and her eyes bloodshot.

"I don't want to lose anyone else." She said.

"You're not going to lose anyone else. I'm sure he will survive it."

I felt bad for thinking he was such a jerk earlier. I didn't know he had cancer, and now that I did, I wish I didn't rant about him to the nurse.

"Enough about my life." She stopped crying. "How have you been?"

"I don't know."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know."

"Do you still miss Bryana?"

"Not as much as before."

"Oh."

"I mean, I still love her. And I wish these people would let me go to her grave, but they won't."

"When you get out of here I'll take you. I went with Jerk-Face a few days ago."

"'Jerk-Face'?"

"Michael."

"I really am going to slap the hair dye off him."

She giggled.

"Don't."

"Why'd he think it was okay, though? You just met him!"

"I know right? He's dumb."

"He really is."

She smiled, making me feel all weird and warm inside.

"You're still painting?"

"All my stuff is back home with my Dad, so no."

"Where are you going to stay?"

"With Preston."

"Tell him I said: 'Hi!'."

"I will."

"What time is it?"

She pulled her phone out her pocket, gasping when she turned it on.

"Crap, I'm late. It's 4:17. I've got to go."

"Okay. See you soon."

"Text me!"

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"M-My phone broke."

"Liar."

"I smashed it to bits."

"What? Why?"

"Angry."

"Did you cut?"

"Y-Y-Yeah."

"Please don't, Ashton. I l-care about you."

"You're late aren't you?"

"Promise me you'll stop."

"You should go before it gets later."

"Ashton."

"I p-p-promise."

"Thank you."

She hugged me, her warmth radiating on me.

"I'll see you later." I said as she walked out the room.

"Bye!"

"Love you." I whispered.