ashes [m.h.] (Completed)

Chapter 18.

I huff aloud as I close my textbook dramatically. I've never been a fan of studying, but in college it seems to be very essential to pass. I look at the clock and the big red numbers read 9:56 pm. Ugh. I'm bored of just studying. Without another thought, I pull my laptop from my bedside table. After powering it on and logging into my Netflix account, I scroll through to find a good movie. Nothing new really  catches my eye, so I chose to rewatch Mean Girls for the millionth time. I position myself comfortably on my bed as the movie begins.

***

A loud ringing in my ears brings me from my unconscious state. My eyes open and close grogily, trying to rid the tiredness from them. Had I fallen asleep?

The ringing of my phone continues, drawing my attention in its direction. My hand reaches for it, angling it slightly for my eyes to see. The number across my screen is unfamiliar, but I swipe to answer anyway.

"Hello?" I manage.

"Maggie?" An unrecognizable voice speaks. His voice is rushed and panicky, waking my senses.

"Yea?" I drag. "Who is this?"

"Listen. I need your help. I'm a friend of Matty's and I just," he stops and sighs. "I really need your help right now.'

"Matty?" I nearly scoff. "I'm tired of getting caught in his bullcrap. Find someone else to help-"

"Please." He interrupts. "I need you here. I'll text you the address after I hang up. Just... if you won't do it for him, do it for me."

The click of him hanging up is heard soon after, and I process his words.

For him? What significance does that hold for me? I don't even know his name, why would I care to do something for him?

Even with all these doubts in my head, I still find myself grabbing my keys and heading for my car. I don't even care for my appearance. With Nike shorts, a t-shirt, and messy hair I hurry to get in my car and make my way to the address the stranger texted me.

I follow my navigation system turn by turn until the short drive is over. I end up parking in a nearly full parking lot in front of a tall building. Before I climb out of my car I pull my phone from the passenger seat to type a quick message. Before I have the chance to tell the unknown caller of my arrival, I notice a message in my notifications.

Unknown: 3rd floor, apartment 33.

Apartment? This must be where Matty lives.

I climb out of my vehicle and make my way to the entrance of the building. I walk in quickly, not bothering to take in my surroundings. By the way the caller sounded, there was some sort of a hurry. The elevator  opens at my command and I step in thankfully. The ride up doesn't last long. I exit onto the 3rd floor and instantly spot the shiny "33" on the door at the end of the hall. I pad hastily to the door and knock immediately. The door is swung open and the stranger is revealed in the door frame. Like Matty, his hair long. But instead of the mess of curls, his hair is neatly gelled up, and short around the sides, reminding me of the man on the posters of Mia's room.

"Maggie." He simply sighs my name in relief.

"And you are?" I ask awkwardly.

"Jackson, friend of Matty. Come in." He steps back and I enter after. "I got a call. A, uh, complaint if you will. The  landlord said others heard glass breaking and screaming. I came here and he wouldn't tell me what was wrong. He just kept yelling random things, and talking about someone. I asked who he was referring to and he started yelling your name. I couldn't calm him down so I found you in his phone and thought you could help. He seems pretty wasted just to warn you."

I don't say anything in response to the new information. I can't even begin to process his words. I know I won't believe it until I see it for myself. But do I actually want to see Matty like this? His bruised up state outside the classroom doors was already too much. If it's as bad as Jackson claims, then I know I should brace myself for what is to come.

I push the thoughts to the back of my mind and carry myself towards the hallway next to the living room. Before I reach the first door, I hear the all too familiar sound a glass bottle breaking. My head looks to the door at the end of the small hall, where the sound erupted from. I take a deep breath and stride to the door. I can handle this. This isn't my drunk of a father.

I turn the knob, pushing the door open. My eyes search the room for the familiar chocolate curls, but have no luck. I study the room cautiously. A large bed frame sits against the wall to my right with an unmaid mattress atop. My eyes go to the two black stands in the corner of the room. One holds a glossy jet black electric guitar, the other holding a light tan regular looking guitar. My mind wonders.

I take a brave step past the door frame and enter the room silently. It is then when my eyes spot the black shoes attached to two skinny limbs peeking out from behind the bed. He lays on the floor hiding behind the large bed frame, and I move closer. I reach the corner of the bed to the side where Matty lays, studying him closely. His hair is sprawled across the floor, hand holding a large bottle, and cheeks wet.  Had he been crying?

I move behind him and drop to my knees. My hand creeps slowly and connects with his dark forest of curls. I slowly stroke his head, causing him to stir.

"He must've tired himself out." Jackson's voice is heard in a light whisper across the room.

"Help me get him in bed?" He adds.

I nod. My attention goes back to the large bottle in Matty's grasp. I reach for it, and gently slip it from his fingers. I bring the rim to my nose, the stench stinging my nostrils, making set the bottle on the floor as far away as possible.

Jackson makes his way to the other side of Matty's limp figure, making the first move to get him up. I rise to my feet to position myself similar to Jackson. He bends down and wraps the arm of Matty around the back of his neck, and I try to do the same. On Jackson's count we slowly raise him up just enough to plop him down as delicately as possible onto his bed.

"I think I can manage from here," I whisper, turning towards Jackson. "Thank you for calling me, I'm sure you're a great friend to him." I nod towards Matty.

"Thank you." He smiles genuinely, his eyes softening. "I'll head out then."

"Nice meeting you, Jackson."

"And you, Maggie." He says before turning and making his way out.

My eyes go back to Matty's limp body and I sigh. My hands reach for his boots and I pull them off one at a time. I set them down and move to his side. His shirt is gently slid over his head and placed nearby. I move to unbutton his pants, calmly removing them from his legs. I try not to think of the fact that I'm meerly undressing him, as he did me the night of our "date". After finishing undressing him, I pull the large comforter from under his legs and cover his body with it. His light breaths are all that is heard as I stare at his sleeping face.

I don't think at all, just quietly remove my clothing one by one down to just my panties. I grab Matty's freshly worn shirt and slip it on, engulfing myself in his scent. With one last look around the unfamiliar room, I make my way to the other side of the bed and turn off the light before crawling in next to Matty. I lay quietly and shuffle closer to him, causing him to stir. He instinctively pulls me into him, burying his face into my neck. I sigh, relaxing into him and drifting off to sleep, the fimilarness of my dad's late night drinking fits creeping their way into my mind.