Opposites Attract

Chapter Twenty Six

Ashley's Mom

My whole world came crashing down, the love of my life was dead. Gone! I had to stay strong for Ashley. I walked into the room she was in, it's been about a week since what happened and she just stares at the wall. She hasn't said one word, I am scared for her. I don't want to be a terrible parent.

"Hey honey." I smiled. She didn't look at me, she just stared at the wall.

"Honey, you need to eat." I said and sat the plate full of food gently on the bed. I sat down next to her and gave her a hug.

"Ashley, please. Talk to me." I said.

There was no reply. I sighed and stood up, she acted as if she didn't even know I was standing in front of her.

"I love you sweetie. If you ever need to talk, I will just be in the other room. Okay?" I asked her. She didn't do anything. I sighed again and walked out the door.

Julian's POV

I stop at the doorway, not wanting to interrupt Ashley's mom. She hasn't spoken in about a week now and everything has changed.

"Honey, you need to eat." I peak over and see her set a plate of food down on her bed. I let a deep breath go, thinking about how everything is my fault.

"Ashley, please... Just talk to me." I hear the grief in her voice and guilt washes over me. This is all my fault. I don't hear a reply and Ashley's mom stands and walks out of the room. She looks at me when she does and puts her hand on my shoulder, even when she feels terrible, somehow, she is strong enough to comfort those around her. I walk into the room and Ashley's eyes are glued to the wall. I felt terrible and being around her and being in this house makes me feel like I am trespassing.

"Hey Ash." I speak soft, hoping that she would open up. If not to her mom or her friends, maybe to me. I wait and hope for a response, but I don't get anything from her. I don't really know what to say at this point, when my mom died, I didn't want to associate myself around people for weeks on end and I was mad at myself. I still am, but I just wish Ashley would understand that this isn't her fault.

"Ashley, this isn't your fault, you know that, right?" I speak to her and she just looks down at her nails, I notice all the polish is off and I see that each one is down to the finger, like she's been chewing on them. I reach over and grab her hand, she looks up and I see the bags under her eyes. It looks like she isn't the only one who hasn't been getting sleep lately.

"Yes, it is." Her voice comes out dry, and like a whisper.

"No, it isn't. Your dad wouldn't want you blaming yourself over this. He was brave in the situation because he wanted you to live. This isn't living Ashley..." I speak, keeping my voice soft. I rarely ever speak like this, but with Ashley, I know that this is better. After a while of silence, I feel guilt wash over me stronger than before.

"If I would have just stayed... Refused to go along with the plan. If I never came here in the first place, none of this would have happened. I'm such an idiot!" I stand to my feet, raising my voice a bit from the previous tone, and I don't see Ashley move a muscle, it was almost like I was talking to myself. "I should have just went to them... Let them kill me when they had the chance." I look over, but she doesn't speak, just silence. I close my eyes and slide down the wall, staring at Ashley's long blonde, greasy hair.

"Ashley, just please..." I move over to where she is sitting on her bed and I get down on my knees in front of her, cupping her face in my hands, I look into her hazel eyes and watch as a single tear falls from her eye, "This isn't your fault."