promise ⇢ ashton irwin {au}

three: forever

CHAPTER THREE:

| ashton’s pov |

Charlotte hugged me, all of a sudden, catching me off guard. My eyes widened, but I smiled and hugged her back.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her, rubbing circles on her back. She looked a bit sad, and I was becoming worried. 

“I… You know how I’ve always wanted to study in the city, right?” Her tears soaked my shirt, but I didn’t mind at all. I’d rather have my shirt wet than have her keeping the sadness to herself.

I nodded and placed my chin on top of her head. I was careful not to put weight on her. “Yes, why?” I had a feeling I knew what she was going to say, but I wasn’t all too sure. I didn’t know how I’d feel about it, either.

“I got… I got accepted,” she informed, pulling me closer.

I was right. 

My smile faltered, but I still put on a happy tone. “That’s great! I knew you could do it. I’m proud of you, Charlotte.” I meant it. 

Well, most of it. 

After a few seconds of silence, I decided to ask her the question that was always at the back of my mind, “When are you leaving?” That question hung around with me ever since she told me her dream university was in the city; it was something I dread to ask, but something I still wanted to know the answer to.

“In… a mo-month,” Charlotte replied, having pauses here and there. 

“O-oh,” was all I managed to say, as the sudden realization hit me. We only had a month to be with each other. 

She sobbed, never letting go of me. She didn’t say anything, but I could feel how much it pained her to tell me this.

“It’s… it’s okay. We’ll have the time of our lives, then.” I lifted her chin, so she’d see me smile encouragingly. I wiped her tears away with my thumb and kissed her forehead. “Forever, right?”

She smiled, nodding. “Forever.”