Poison Kiss

Chapter 17:

Poison Kiss:

Chapter 17:

Ashlynn's POV:

Both Sadie and I sat on the small couch, waiting for my mother to spill her news to us. I was a little nervous, because a family meeting had never been called before. What could possibly be so important that she had to do this?

My mother sat across from us in an armchair, twiddling her fingers and squirming a bit, her cheeks painted red

with embarrassment.

Sadie, however, was surprisingly calm. She sat next to me, serenely examining her fingernails as if nothing was out of the ordinary. I couldn't understand how she could be so peaceful when nothing made sense.

My mother opened her mouth to speak, brushing a strand of graying blonde hair away from her face. "Girls." she said softly, causing Sadie to glance up. "I have some news for you, but I'm not very sure how well you'll take it."

I nodded for her to continue and directed my eyes to the floor. I hated it when she said things like that.

She tapped her fingers of the arm of her chair thoughtfully, as if weighing out the the different methods of breaking the news to us. Finally, she sighed heavily. "You remember Nico, right?"

Sadie scoffed. "Yeah, how could I forget him." she muttered. I shot her a warning glance, causing her to roll her eyes.

My mother gazed at us suspiciously, before continuing. "Well I have been spending a lot of time with his father..." she trailed off, twisting a piece of hair in her fingers. "We've come to the agreement that..."

Sadie jumped up, a scowl wrinkling her forehead. "You're fucking him aren't you?!" she accused.

My mother hung her head in shame. "I thought that if I moved on-"

"Well you thought wrong!" Sadie growled menacingly. "You've betrayed all of us. Worst of all, you betrayed dad!" With that, Sadie stalked angrily up to her room.

I sat in a stunned silence, trying to absorb everything that had just happened. My mother began weeping softly, her delicate face pressed into her hands.

"Mom?" I whispered gently, trying not to startle her.

She glanced up at me, shame written all over her face. Her eyes were red and puffy, as if she had been crying for hours. "Sadie is right!" she wailed. "I have betrayed you!"

I frowned. Since when had my mother been so emotionally unstable? I hadn't seen he this upset since our father died seven years ago. "It's okay mom." I murmured, getting up to give her a hug. "It's your life. We shouldn't have a say in what you do. I accept you for it."

She sighed loudly. "I just feel so guilty. I promised your father that I'd never love another man."

"Mom, it's okay to move on. It's been seven years." I wiped some tears from my eyes. "Dad knows that you love him. He knows that a part of you always will. I know that you feel bad, but he would want you to be happy."

My mother glanced up at me. "What about your sister?"

I patted her back one more time, before standing. "She'll come around. It was just a big shock, that's all.

My mother nodded. "Your right. I'm sorry that I cried like a small child. I should not have abandoned my motherly duties like that."

I shrugged. "It's okay. I think I'll go check on Sadie." I gestured in the vague direction of her room.

I made my way cautiously to her room, hoping that she would not mind my company. When I was outside of her door, I paused, hearing voices coming from inside. One was Sadie's, and the other sounded deep and masculine.

"Sometimes I just hate her so much." Sadie grumbled angrily.

"It'll be okay." comforted the deep voice. "You know I love you, right? That's all that matters."

Aw, that was sweet! Wait! Sadie didn't have a boyfriend, did she? I pressed my ear against the door.

"Honestly, Simon, I don't know what I'd do without you." Sadie sighed.

Aha! I totally called it. Sadie and Simon not only liked, but loved each other. Well then why had she denied it this long? Why did it need to be a secret?

I stepped away from the door, no longer wishing to intrude into my sister's private life. Whatever she did was her own business. I had enough to deal with myself, without getting involved in her love life. Besides, maybe it was just friendly love.

I wandered aimlessly into my room, my mind flooded with questions. What was going on with mom? Would Sadie be alright? And most of all, I wondered about Vincent. I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss. Would he be there for the date tomorrow, or was I a failure at romancing?

I sighed and pressed my palms to my forehead. So much had occurred in such a short time. Why had I been in such a hurry to grow up when things just got harder as I grew? Everything seemed so confusing, and suddenly I felt so small compared to the world. It was like realizing that you are just one tiny spec of stardust in a vast eternity of stars. Sometimes realization could be the scariest feeling in the universe.

Hayley's POV:

I lay in a field of grass, staring up at the slightly cloudy sky. My body was at peace, but my heart ached with sorrow. The rough stones pressed into my back, but I did not care. The pain was a distraction from emotion.

I had always hoped that things would work out, but in my heart I had known the truth. Love doesn't grow on trees and broken hearts can't be mended with thread.

She would never feel the same about me, I thought, brushing a few small bugs out of my hair. After Stacy and Sophie had shown me those pictures, I had been awakened. The realization had smashed into me like a speeding camel. Ashlynn wasn't who I thought she was. She wasn't anyone I knew. My entire friendship with her had not been enough. I needed more than this kind of relationship could give. My heart was shattering without her, but I knew that isolating myself from her was the only way. If I did not, I would be doomed to live a broken half life.

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I know that it was short. I'm very sorry. I don't have a lot of time to write. Firewood needs to be cut and stacked, and I just got a new kitten who needs a lot of maintenance. Once again, I apologize for the slow and crappy upload. Hope you enjoyed, and if you didn't, tell me why. I love constructive criticism.

Have a lovely day/night!

Asylum <------(Where I'm going to belong if the kitten doesn't get potty trained soon)