Unbroken

Smoke and Mirrors

We got back to my house a little after 10.

“Ashley Paws!” I heard my mom scream from the kitchen.

“Shit,” I say under my breath.  “Mom! Dad! You two are home early!” I say, hugging them.

“Yeah, the meeting got cancelled,” My dad explained.

“Who is this and why is there a cat in my house?” my mother questioned.

“This is Carter, my girlfriend, and her mother kicked her and her cat, Oli, out of the house,” I explained, smoothly. I crossed my fingers.

“Oh, you poor thing,” my mother said and pulled Carter into a hug.  “Ash, you stay down here, Carter, I will take you upstairs to get ready for bed.”

“Okay,” Carter replied, heading upstairs.

“Ash,” my dad started.

“Dad, stop. We haven’t done anything,” I respond through my teeth.

“I know. Why did her mother kick her out?” my dad asked, motioning for me to sit at the table.

“Her mother hates everything she likes and yells at her. I took her home on Wednesday after working on homework.  Her mother acted like a bitch! She asked me if I was a girl or a boy and sneered when I said boy! After I left the house, I stood across the street, making sure Carter was okay.  I could hear her mother shout ‘Why did you bring that thing into the house’ and she slapped Carter.  I offered the guest room for her and helped her run away.  Her mother hasn’t noticed a god damned thing!” I say, trying to keep my voice down and the tears back.

“Okay,” My dad says, “just take care of her and take her home tomorrow, but don’t leave her and her mom alone for too long.”

“Okay, I will,” I say and head upstairs to get ready for bed.

***

(CARTER’S POV)

“How long have you known Ash,” Ashley’s mother asked, attempting small talk.

“A couple of weeks,” I respond, blushing.

“Oh, okay,” she says, a hint of worry in her tone.

“He is really a great guy,” I say. “He practically saved me from my mother,” I say with tears welling in my eyes.

“Oh, sweetie,” she said, hugging me.  “Shh, don’t think about it.  You can tell when you are ready.  Now go get ready for bed.”

“Okay,” I say, sniffling and wiping my eyes.

“Night Carter, sleep well,” She said, walking out of my room.  I can’t believe I am saying this, but I feel home.

I ran into Ash on my way to the shower.  I guess my makeup ran when I was crying.  He noticed and grabbed me, hugging me close.

“Shh,” He says.

I look up and see that his eyeliner had run a bit, too. 

“Aww,” I say, my voice cracking from when I had cried. “Where you crying?”

“I... uh…. N-n-yes,” he said, embarrassed.

“It’s okay,” I say, hugging him tight. “I’m going to shower just now, I will see you later.”

“O-o-okay,” He said, his voice shaking, still.

I go and do my nighttime ritual.

***

(ASHLEY’S POV)

I can’t believe I ran into Carter while crying! God, she mist think I’m a little sissy now.