Beauty and The Bad Boy

Chapter 24

*Aubrey's P.O.V*

The ride home was silent and stressful. Cameron had been dragged off to jail. I stared out the window at the cold, gray streets. I remembered my last Christmas in this town. We were still in the moving process. We had a scrawny little Christmas tree with no ornaments because they hadn't been unpacked yet. We spent Christmas morning sitting in the empty living room with hot chocolate and blankets.

When we got home I pounded up the stairs and slammed my bedroom door behind me. Immediately the tears started flowing. My face crumbled as I collapsed onto my bed. There was only one person I wanted to talk to.

Ashton.

I picked up my phone and called him. I listened to the rings impatiently. Pick up, pick up, PICK UP.

"Hello?" Ashton's raspy voice came through the phone. I nearly jumped with happiness.

"Hi."

"Aubrey? What's going on? Are you okay?" He asked.

I nodded, but then realized that he couldn't see me. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed to hear your voice. And I know I'm probably going to hate myself for saying this, but I miss you, and I still love you and I want to be with you and I know I said that I can't handle a relationship right now but I just feel so alone without you and I know I'm rambling but I want you back, Ashton."

My words hung in the air for a few seconds. And then: "Meet me at the park. Ten minutes," he said, and hung up. I quickly fixed my makeup and ran downstairs.

"I'm going to the park, mom. I need a minute alone." She looked uneasy, but nodded.

"Okay. Take your phone."

I grabbed my skateboard, which I hadn't rode in weeks. The ride to the park was short. I saw Ashton sitting on the swing set and ran to him. He engulfed me in a hug and it felt so good to be in his arms again. I melted into him and I felt him kiss the top of my head.

"I love you," I said, with tears in my eyes.

"I never stopped loving you," he said. "I waited for you all this time."

He leaned slowly and kissed me. I felt fireworks ignite inside of me. I loved him and he loved me. I needed him. He was the only one I could talk to. I hadn't realized how much I missed him.