― UNKNOWN NUMBER! (IRWIN)

22

The calls became less and less frequent.

It went from everyday to three times a week to once a week.

Tuesdays, that's what we decided on.

He'd call and every time he sounded a little more bored than the last.

I was unimportant to him now.

I wasn't totally forgotten, but I was just a burden, it seemed.

I tried to ignore it though. I smiled when I heard his voice through the phone.

My heart still fluttered every time he giggled.

I was still in love with him.

And nothing would change that.

Except something did.

•••••

I called him on a Friday.

He did not like that.

I didn't care, though, because I needed to ask him if he could make it to my graduation.

"Nikki, we agreed on Tuesdays,"

"I know, but I needed to ask you if you were willing to come to my grad—"

"Ashton?"

That wasn't Michael, Calum, or Luke.

It was a girl.

I frowned, but, of course, Ashton couldn't see it.

The reply was muffled, but I heard it.

Oh, I heard it all right.

"Don't worry, babe, it's just Calum,"

I smiled sadly, remembering how I was the one that had made an excuse to Jason a while ago.

"I'm going to have to call you back on Tuesday,"

"Oh, it's fine I just wanted to invite you to one of the biggest moments in my life,"

"What?"

"My college graduation! Yeah, that's coming up soon! Feel free to bring your girlfriend too!"

Sarcasm dripped from my words dangerously.

"What? Nikki, you are my girlfriend,"

"Wait, I am?"

"Yeah,"

"I think I would remember if I was dating the Ashton Irwin,"

"Nik, what is up with you?"

"Even with your hand over the phone I could still hear what you were saying,"

"Nikki—"

"Save it because I know you won't have a good excuse,"

"You're right,"

"Wait, what?"

"You're right I don't have a good excuse. I cheated on you and I'm sorry,"

I was silent.

"May 24—that's the date of my graduation—don't forget to bring your new girlfriend,"

"Ok, again I'm sorry,"

"What's there to be sorry for? I'm the one that let you set my heart on fire and then just watched it burn to ashes,"