Save me From the Darkest Places

Chapter Six: I Still Love You

I quickly looked up and saw Ashley walking toward me slowly. I looked away and he sighed. "Baby look--" He stopped talking and I tensed at the name. "You two together?" "No." I spat as I heard the voice and looked to see another guy standing there. "Oh, name slip." He started laughing but Ashley put a hand on his shoulder. "Not now Corey, go get your guitar from the tree outside and meet me at the bus. Get Jonah too." The man nodded before walking to the back of the bus and a hand gripped on to my arm. "Andy can we talk?" "No Ashley." "Andy please." He started to pull me up and I shakily stood before following him outside. "Uh Andy, you said you were hungry, don't you want a snack?" I looked up to Ben looking at me but before I could answer Ashley did. "He'll be right back."

We got outside and he pushed me against the bus before crashing his lips to mine. My eyes went wide before I pulled away and pushed him off. "Andy listen, since that night I regretted everything I said and did. Look, I love you and want to try again, please."

Being the baby I am I felt tears welling up but forced them away. "No." "Andy I know you miss me too." "I do. But you hurt me Ashley! You left me alone and ignored my calls! You left me crying and alone in the middle of the sidewalk!" "I know but Andy it was a mistake, I was confused." "Too bad." "Andy I- oh no.." He grabbed my arm and raised my sleeves before gasping at the marks. "Andy whats this?" I froze and pulled my arms away. "Andy.." "Theyre nothing.. Ashley just go away and don't come back." "Can we try?" "N--" "Just for now, go slow.." I sighed before looking into his eyes and sighing. "Please.." "Ash--" "Andy?" I turned to see Danny and watched as he came over. "Hey man, your band called and wanted to know f you were over here. Hey Ash." "Hey Danny, Andy's gonna come on my bus with me." I looked at him questioningly and nervous and Danny noticed. "I already told them he would stay with me." An arm went around my waist and I flinched before looking down and noticing tattoos that were obviously Danny's since I didn't recognize them.

"Andy?" I looked up to see Ashley walking away and Danny was in front of me, staring into my eyes. "What?" "Come on, lets get you inside, its late." "Okay.."

We got inside and he brought me to his bunking area. "Your band already left for the night so I told them you could say with us, if you wanted to." "Oh, uh, okay.. thanks.." "Of course. You can sleep in this last bunk if you want to, foods already there for you and a bottled water." "Thanks.." "Of course, night." As he turned to walk I sighed, knowing I'd regret this, and called his name. "Danny wait." "Yeah?" "Can I um.. lay with you? In yours?" He raised an eyebrow as I blushed and I quickly looked down. "Of course you can Andy, what are friends for?" I smiled weakly before he led me toward the front and opened one up. "I'm gonna change, the showers over there if you wanna take one, or take your warpaint off." "Oh, I uh forgot about that.. okay." "Here. Bens clothes will fit you." He ran to another bunk before pulling out some sweats and a hoodie. "Thanks again.. Danny it means a lot."

I stepped out from the bathroom and quickly noticed Danny getting in his bunk. He noticed me before smiling and waving me over. I went over before getting in behind him and laying down. He surprised me by pulling me close and spoke. "Andy about Ashley.. don't. Your friends told me what he did.. Just don't. Alright?" I looked up at him in shock and he was smiling weakly at me. "Okay.." "Cool." He laid us back before closing the curtain and sighing. "G'night Andy." "Goodnight Danny."