Half Hearted

Chapter Thirty Six

| Ash |

"You're fucking stupid, you know that?" Peter sounded gruff, obviously frustrated. "We leave at three in the afternoon and you make plans with her? Not even that, you haven't even told her you're leaving. The hell is this? A Shakesperean tragedy?!"

"It's not a big deal," Ash tried reasoning with Peter while struggling to find his other sock. "We're just eating, taking walks, and then I'll leave."

"And haven't you considered how she would feel about his, had she known?!"

"Stop yelling, my ear drums already feel like bursting and we haven't even gotten on the plane yet."

"I'm serious Ash."

The two of them stopped moving and focused on the conversation. "I'm serious too."

Peter rolled his eyes, "if you were serious you'd let her know about it."

Ash gave one final sigh before leaving the hotel room. His flight left at 3:45, and he barely had any belongings with him, so he didn't need to waste his time packing.

Although he denied everything Peter had accused him of, he knew Peter was right. Unfortunately he wouldn't make a move to try and right his wrong this time. He needed to get out of her life before he could drag her into his mess. And his life really was a mess.

Ash felt the cold breeze run through his hair as he walked into iHop. Teresa was already there, sitting at a booth in her pullover hoodie and a pair of jeans. Even in the simplest attire she looked somehow elegant.

"Hey," Ash greeted, taking a seat in front of her.

She looked up from her phone and gave him a smile. "Hey."

The two of them felt somewhat breathless about the moment, but both held up fronts to hide it.

After ordering breakfast, Ash looked at the time. 9:43 AM. He had at least four hours to spend with her, so he would have to spend it wisely.

While they ate they casually talked about the food, avoiding everything else they were dying to ask about the other.

After they ate they headed out for a stroll in the park.

| Teresa |

I didn't know how to act. He was being so nice and friendly it seemed like we were two former friends catching up after high school. It was nice, but I felt a twinge of sadness. Something felt off.

"So how's the job with Stein?" He asked, shoving his hands in his coat pockets.

I shrugged, "I mean, it's not easy, but hey, it pays well."

"How about Grant? How's he treating you?"

"He-uhm- he's really nice," was all I managed to utter. I caught a glimpse of Ash's face, and his lips were pressed in a thin line.

"The media's been all up about you and him," he stated, and then shook his head vehemently. "Sorry, no, none of my business."

I stopped us from walking so that we could face each other. "No, no. Nothing's happening, and you can know that."

Giving a slightly pained smile, Ash continued walking. I followed after him and we sat at a bench overlooking the city.

"Can I ask you something?" He said after a few minutes of silence. I nodded, allowing him to continue. "What's worse: someone leaving unexpectedly - and disappearing from your life without giving you notice - or someone giving you notice, but treating you like shit so you can drop your feelings about them?"

I paused before answering. "I guess someone leaving without telling is worse. I mean, if they tell you and treat you badly afterwards at least that still gives you a chance to conclude your feelings. Without a notice you'll be left with so many quesions that won't be answered."

And then I noticed his silence, and asked, "why? Why this question?"

He shrugged, still staring down at the dead grass. "Something today just reminded me of my parents is all."

I nodded in understanding. So that was why he seemed off.

"Sorry," I stated, somewhat dissapointed by the answer. He lifted his gaze from the ground.

"No, don't say sorry. It wasn't your fault they abandoned me. It was their choice and I'll just have to live with that."

A huge lump got caught at my throat. We stayed silent for yet another while, and I noticed him check his watch yet again. He really just had somewhere else to be.

"Busy schedule today?" I asked, pointing at the watch on his hand.

"Huh? Oh, no. Just want to keep track of time is all," he replied blankly.

My eyes drifted to the bruises on his knuckles, and then I got reminded of last night's party. He found me at the right time and fended off the guy.

Without knowing, my hands subconsciously drew themselves towards his, and I felt him tense under my touch. He didn't pull his hands away as I brushed the bruises with my thumb. "You shouldn't have."

Knowing exactly what I was referring to, Ash gave me a cold stare. "What else would I have done?"

I shook my head, pulling my hands away and wrapping them around my arms. "Just..." I found myself unable to come up with anything. "Not that."

"He would've done things to you if I hadn't done that," Ash slightly raised his voice, and I winced under his harsh tone.

I let him cool down before I spoke again, "thank you."

He then quietly mumbled out something that I couldn't hear. The wind took his words from me.

"When do you have to go?"

This question caught him off guard, and he raised an eyebrow.

"You keep staring at the time - you have to get to another photo shoot, right?" I asked, and he seemed to relax. "Just tell me so we could head back and I'll drive you there."

Ash shook his head, "it's not until 3."

I checked the time on my phone. 11:19AM. Okay, we still had time to spare. "So where should we go?"

"Surprise me. You know this city better than I do," he stated blankly. I tried thinking of a good place nearby, and a light bulb flashed in my head.

"Let's go to the playground," I giggled softly, standing up and leading the way.

I could tell the uncertainty in his face, but he smiled and went along with it anyways.