english class | l.h.

chapter eighteen

It was a Saturday afternoon and the tension was high, really high. "Stay calm." Darcy said, while holding on to Ashton's arm as they walked in to Calum's house. In the living room were a few people, this would be one awkward and angry conversation.

"Juliet?" Ashton said, the girl stood up and turned around, seeing Ashton for the first time in two years. "Ash.." She said. "Why is she here? I was okay with Luke coming, but she-" He stared saying but Darcy grabbed his hands. "Calm." She said and he stopped.

Darcy and Ashton sat down on the couch opposite from the couch where Michael and Calum were sitting, one of the chairs was occupied by Luke and the other by Juliet.

Before talking, Darcy looked at Luke who gave her a reassuring smile. "Okay." She said and stared at all the people. "I want everybody to stay serious for a second, this is not something to joke about." They all nodded and then Michael spoke up. "Can you now tell us why we're all here."

"And especially why I am here?" Juliet scoffed, looking at all the others. "Somebody told me about what happened, the reason you two broke up, and Calum has something to say." Darcy said, starring at Calum who nodded, slightly nervous.

Juliet's eyes widened slightly while she looked at Calum. She was probably not looking forward to him revealing the truth.

"Okay, the story that I heard is that apparently Luke and Juliet hooked up, which caused you two to break up and you two also stop being friends with Luke, right?" Ashton nodded, his eyebrows furrowed. He had no idea what was happening, and Darcy was scared he'd start yelling the second he found out.

"Calum?" Darcy said, staring at her best friend. "Truth is, Luke is the good guy, I am the traitor." He said, Ashton then raised one eyebrow and listened to Calum. "What are you saying?" He said, looking for a split second at Luke.

"Luke covered for me, he did not want to see our friendship break, but I slept with Juliet. She cheated with me. I am sorry I-" Calum said, getting scared of his best friend right then and there.

"You what!" Ashton got up, Darcy tried to pull him back down but Ashton shook off her hand. "What is wrong with you! You made me loose two people that were important in my life. I have gone two years thinking Luke was an asshole, but now you're telling me he became this asshole because you made him cover up!" Ashton yelled.

"Ashton!" Juliet yelled at him. "Stop!" She said, and Ashton stared at him. "I'm sorry, but I can not see this happening. As much as I currently hate Calum, you need to realize he did it because he didn't want to hurt you." She said slowly and softly.

"Don't you get it? It wouldn't matter who it was, even if it was a stranger I would be hurt because YOU cheated on me!" He yelled back, Juliet quiet for a few seconds. "Ashton stop yelling, act your age and let's talk about it like adults." She said, and Darcy could kiss her at that point.

"I am very sorry for what I did to you, Ashton. As well as to you, Luke. I am sorry." She said, "But I will have to say, I took the first step, with Calum. I knew he had a crush on me and I was teasing him about it, things happened and I-" She held her head in her hands. "God I feel so stupid."

"Luke." Darcy said and Luke looked up, at the siblings staring at him. "Talk." She said, and he nodded. "I knew you were closer with Calum, so I thought it would hurt less if it looked like I was the one." He let out a small cough. "I just want you to know that ever since I lost you guys, I have always been alone." He started explaining.

"When I got closer with Maxwell, he brought me on to the wrong path and I am so stupid because of that, I wish I wouldn't have followed him. I am sorry, Ashton for hurting you, I am sorry that this makes you hate me, but I have a confession." He said and got up.

"I would never have been able to hook up with Juliet, because ever since I was twelve, I have only had a crush on one girl, and I thought she was the most beautiful girl ever, she was breathtaking. I was really close to asking her out, but then all of this happened and she was unavailable. You can not date a girl if her brother hates you." He said and walked over to Darcy.

"I have been in love with Darcy since I was twelve, but I am such a pussy for only owning up to if after six years."

Ashton was speechless, Juliet was staring at Luke like he was crazy, Calum looked proud and Michael was just not following it anymore.

Darcy put a small smile on her face and looked at Luke, and then at Ashton. He got up and cleared his throat, staring at Luke. "I forgive you, my friend."

Tears were falling, the two friends hugged each other and the sobs were coming up. They did not let go for a while and only let go when they realized Darcy was sobbing as well. They both smiled at her and looked at her, "I'm sorry Darcy, you were right, he is a good guy." He said. "Go ahead." He laughed.

"But you." He turned around and stared at Calum. "I feel betrayed and I am hurt, but I know that I will be even more hurt if I treat you how I treated Luke." Ashton said, "So, since it was two years ago and you were a fifteen year old boy with a crush, I forgive you." He said.

Calum got up and hugged Ashton, thanking him. Michael got up as well as the five joined each other in a group hug.

The sound of Juliet clearing her throat was what broke them apart. "What about me?" She said, raising her eyebrow. "Oh you? You can just leave." Ashton said, giving her a fake smile and then hugging his friends and sister again.

"I'm so sorry." He said, "Me too." Luke said and Darcy smiled.