Loving Ash [a.i.] {Original Version}

Chapter One: Damn, it's been awhile

**WARNING: ONLY SEMI-EDITED**

One: Damn, it's been awhile

[ashley]

May 29, 2013 [roughly two years later]

Soap bubbles clung to the hairs on my arm as I rubbed the tattered blue dishcloth across the glass plate I was clutching. I stared down at the dirty dish, not really seeing it. My mind was focused on the recent heartbreak I had endured. My boyfriend of six months had broken up with me less than seventy-two hours ago.

I should've been moping. I should've been crying and listening to Taylor Swift. But I wasn't. No, after spending three days locked in my bedroom, I finally emerged and began washing dishes. Of course I cried. I was just like any other sane girl. Why wouldn't I cry? I had been convinced I was in love with him. He was my longest relationship. I cried; I called my best friend; I cried some more; I ate a gallon of ice cream and then, I cried again. Now though, well now I was too numb to do anything.

"Ashley, sweetie, are you alright?" the sound of my mother's voice startled me and I dropped the plate into the sink full of water. Blinking away the memories, I lifted my gaze to my mother's. Her dark blue eyes were tired and worry filled their depths.

"What? Yeah, I'm fine, mum," I replied, reaching for the plate again and scrubbing at it with renewed vigor. Don't think, just do. More suds clung to my arms, the small white bubbles almost distracting me. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, you've been scrubbing the same plate for the last ten minutes," she informed me, gesturing to the dish in my hand. I paused my motions, staring down at the dish in surprise. "And you've been locked in your bedroom for the past few days with only Mercedes allowed to enter."

"I'm fine, mum," I repeated, reaching for the facet. The soap bubbles disappeared as I rinsed the dishes with the warm water. Setting the dishes on the drying rack one by one, I glanced at the clock above me. It was just after two o'clock - I'd been at it for over an hour. I turned the water to cold, cupping my hands and filling my palms with the cold water. The freezing water bit into my heated skin, my eyelashes fluttering closed as I splashed it on my face.

Why did he break up with me? Was I not good enough?

"Are you sure dear?" My mum asked, the obvious concern in her voice tugging at my fragile heart strings. Mum could always tell when I was upset.

"I'm going to be okay, mum," I replied, plucking a dry towel from the counter to dry my face and hands. "So what's up?"

"I left something for you on your bed," she informed me, smiling a little bit.

"When?" I asked in confusion, setting the towel on the counter. I glanced at the clock again. "I just came out of there maybe an hour ago."

"Only a few minutes ago," she responded, plucking the drying towel up and folding it. "Go take a look, dear. I hope it cheers you up a little."

I shot her a confused look, but left the kitchen anyway. I took the stairs two at a time, missing my step a few times and slipping down the stairs. I finally gave up trying to rush up the stairs and carefully stepped up each one. I let out a sigh and rubbed my hand along my bruised butt and thigh. I'm such a klutz.

I walked down the hallway, tugging open my door and stepping into my bedroom. The pink walls made me wince, but the color was mostly covered by the film and band posters I had taped up. The only thing I noticed about my bed was that it was made. I took two steps inside the room before a weight hit my side and I fell to the floor, a heavy weight on top of me.

"I've missed you so much!" A voice practically screamed in my ear, making me go temporarily deaf in my right ear. I flinched at the sound, but grinned as I inhaled the familiar scent of pine needles and the sea.