the boy next door

Chapter 18: Change Me

Ashley's POV:

My eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting the colors around me, and noticing a figure sitting next to my bed, holding my hand. I nearly gasped when I saw who it was. "B-baby...you're okay." Justin's voice cracked. My heart practically collapsed into my stomach when I saw Justin's burning red eyes and tears running down his jaw line. I felt my throat dry and I swallowed my spit before speaking. "J-Justin...I'm scared." Once those words escaped my lips, Justin's face hardened.

Justin's POV:

"J-Justin...I'm scared," she whispered, her light caramel eyes showing sadness. I felt my heart stop, knowing that my girl felt this way. I couldn't blame her, she's been through shit. I clenched my jaw pulling her face closer to mine. I took a deep breath and I could tell her face softened when I calmed down. "I know baby...but I promise you, that bastard will never lay another hand on you. Or he's a fucking dead man." I whispered. Thinking about Matt lying another hand on her made me go crazy. She was my world, I wasn't gonna let anyone take her away from me. She nodded her head, sighing. "Wait...w-what about you? Aren't you supposed to be in be..." "Shh don't worry about me baby...the doctor said I'm fine so he let me go. He just prescribed me some medicine I have to take for the next week or so." I said giving her a small smile. She smiled back, causing my stomach to flutter. I adore everything about this girl. I quickly pecked her lips. "You hungry babe?" Ashley's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh yes!!" she groaned. I chuckled at her expression. "God Ashley you're so fucking adorable," I said as I stood up to go bring her tray of food. Even at the corner of my eye, I could see Ashley's turn bright red. I loved the impact I had on her. I picked up one of the sandwiches and fed her. She groaned. "What?" I said. "I just want normal food, not gross hospital food." She growled. "When will we get to go home?" I smiled at her and rubbed my thumb around her cheek in a circular motion. "The doctor said tomorrow." A flash of happiness finally flushed her face and that made me smile even more. "Wait, what about our parents? What do we say? Crap...my mom must be worried sick. I'm dead." I felt my heart sink. Shit I almost forgot about our parents. "Here...give me your phone." I whispered. Confused, Ashley slowly pulled out her phone, handing it to me. I pressed "Mom" and took a deep breath before getting up and walking out the door. When she picked up the phone, she panicked, probably because I wasn't Ashley. But, I explained to her what had happened, but I left out that part that Ashley was beat by Matt. Instead, I said she was too worried about me, that she lacked on water and was dehydrated and fainted. I walked back into the room. "It's settled." I smiled, kissing her forehead. "Wait...did you tell her about..." "No, I just said you were dehydrated and you fainted. I didn't want her to worry about that son of a bitch. But, she's coming here now to see you." She nodded slowly, as she took a deep breath and grabbed my hand. "Wait what about you're parents?" she said immediately flashing a look of concern at me. "They just left today for New York...they won't be back for another week. I'll explain what happened when they come back." She let a breath of relief out, glad that this was gonna be settled. "Ashley? Sweetheart?" I turned my head to see Ashley's mom in the doorway with a frightened look on her face.

Ashley's POV:

"Hey mom..." I said calmly just in case she was about to pounce on me for not telling her where I've been. "Look I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was coming here for Justin..I just panicked and I thought something bad happened to-"

"Aww it's okay sunshine I get it...THANK GOODNESS YOU'RE OKAY! Just please next time send a text because I was worried sick! Jake was saying how you ran out of the house crying...I thought something happened to YOU!"

She then turned to Justin, and pulled him into a hug. "Justin I'm glad you're alright...please be safer next time on the road! We would be crushed if anything severe had happened to you..." He pulled away and smiled, licking his lips."Thank you...I'm so sorry, it was so unexpected. I never meant for any of that to happen. Sorry for throwing a whole new ball of stress into your family."

"No don't say that Justin. You're considered family to us now..." He turned to me and smiled, causing my stomach go churn as if he's never smiled at me before. "Oh honey! Let
me call your parents and tell them you're okay! I'm sure you want to take a little break from letting people know what happened..." my mom exclaimed. "Oh yes! Thank you so much!" he smiled. "No problem." she waved her hand dismissively.

As my mom headed out the door, Justin slowly made his way to the right side of my bed, and lied down, wrapping both of his arms around my waist. I buried my face into his warm chest, feeling so relieved that this is all over and I can go home soon.

"Justin?"

"Mm?"

"Please don't scare me like that again. I-I was terrified...shocked...I thought you were gone."

Justin quickly lifted up my chin with his free hand and placed a soft kiss on my lips, causing my heart to melt.

"I would never leave you. I'm always gonna fight to stay here with you."

I smiled and fell into a trance with his warm caramel eyes. It's unbelievable how in love I am with this kid...

"I love you J."

"I love you too."

I snuggled into his chest once again, but this time, falling deep into sleep.