The Perfect Gift

Chapter Twenty One

Sarah

"Sarah."

It is a barely audible whisper but I hear it. We planned to meet at the bonfire and I was looking for him until Jules told me where to find him. 

Jules. 

She and Mac must have planned it. They're all looking at me: Mason, Dex, Quinn, Mac and some other students. My first instinct is to run and so I do.

I don't stop until I reach the parking lot where my mum's car is parked. 

"Wait, Sarah!" Ash grabs my arm. Of course, he caught up to me, he's an athlete after all.

"Why? Go back to Mac, you seemed like you were having fun," I scream hysterically. 

Who does he think he is? How dare he?

"She kissed me. Mac kissed me and I pushed her off me," he shouts. Then his face hardens, "Besides I'm not the one who should be explaining now."

"What?" I ask baffled.

"I'm not a damn charity case, Sarah," he yells.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I know," he says quietly. "I know about the peer support group. Miss Boner told me. She noticed some improvement in my behavior and just assumed it was you doing your job," It is easy to see the hurt in his eyes as he says the last part.

"Ashton..." I'm on the verge of tears now.

He rakes his hair with his fingers in frustration. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it's not important," I say, begging him to understand.

"Bullshit!"

"Language," I mutter under my breath.

"You know what? You're scared! Scared of letting go of your paintings, your dad. You're too scared to let yourself feel something for the school bad boy since you're so good, Sarah Hope." His words are dripping with sarcasm and resentment.

"I-I'm scared? You kissed her!" I shriek.

"I didn't... "

I cut him off, angered by his accusations.

"But you let her. I was watching you. I might be scared but you're a coward. When the going gets tough, you back down...  You know what... I c-can't do this anymore." 

I put up a brave face even though my heart is hammering so loudly in my chest.

"This is goodbye then," he says simply.

I guess he isn't as affected as I am.

"Yes

We both turn and leave in opposite directions. He, to the bus that's about to leave while I rush to the comfort of my mum's car.

I feel my heart tearing into a billion pieces as I cry, my head resting on the steering wheel. 

When I get home, I see mum on the sofa watching the rerun of The Simpsons. At the sight of my distraught demeanor, she hurries to me.

"What happened, Sarah?" she asks. Worry is etched all over her face.

"We broke up," I utter these three life shattering words. I try to brush off the tears as they begin to fall down my cheeks.

But I feel my mum's hands envelop me into a tight hug and slowly, my resolve crumbles and I cry with complete abandon. The billion pieces of my heart breaks into tinier pieces if that is even possible.

Loud, guttural sobs escape from my throat and I hug my mum tighter and breathe into the lavender scent of her hair.

A/N:

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to vote and/or comment cos that's the only way I know you're reading!!!