Toxic Devotion

Chapter 20: between lies and fun

Sarah's p.o.v

I knew damn well that ash and Nicole went to New York, yet I'm here, in Cincinnati feeling as lonely as a person could possibly be. Why didn't I choose to go with them? It wasn't because I was a coward or because I was afraid of my parents reaction, it wasn't either because I didn't want my grades to drop. It was because I'm fighting, pancreatic cancer. And I don't know if I'm ever going to get through this battle, because I've reached a point where I feel like giving up. It's like nothing anymore matters. I don't want to disappoint my parents, they've been feeling like shit because of what the doctor told them..I might be slowly dying who knows.
Honestly, if it was only about myself, than okay, I'd die. But the thing is, how many people will be hurt, and devastated when I'm gone. I'm sitting right now, daydreaming in class. No one but the teachers know my case..I didn't want them to know. No one knows, not even ashley, nor tyler. I needed tyler so much.

Ashley's p.o.v

Nicole and I were in her private jet going to New York, but suddenly. I wanted to back out. I don't think I want to see Dylan in my life ever again. Not after that terrible story. He killed three men...I mean sure they committed a crime, but he was just as bad as they were for killing them. And then I started thinking about that note.
"I love you"
Did he mean it...I guess I'll never know if I back out now.

'Nicole' I said breaking the silent.

'Yeah?' She replied.

'We're not gonna see the gang are we?' I asked her.

'You don't want to see them?' She raised her eyebrows.

'Let's have fun when we get there..and no I don't really wanna see them' I told her truthfully.

'Is it because of the story I told you?' She questioned.

'And because of what Dylan said...do you know what this means...Dylan dated my sister, my sister by blood' I sighed.

'That is way too weird..weirdest thing is that Dylan found out you were April's daughter two days before you did' she said.

'Yeah Val didn't have the balls to tell me earlier' I shook my head. 'So when we get there, first thing we do is go to the beach and have fun' I informed her.

'No, first thing we do is find a hotel room to stay in' she said.

'Ugh fine' I shrugged.

'And I'm calling Val' she spoke.

'WHAT' my eyes widen.

'Dude, I took his sister to New York, what kind of best friend would I be if I don't at least tell him' she answered.

'But Nicole, you don't understand he'll kill us both!' I yelled.

'Calm down, he'll just freak out, yell a lot and then he'll be calm again' she uttered.

'You don't know him...he'll send me straight back to Ohio and probably hire security guards to make sure I get home' I shook my head trying to erase this scary possibility.

'He won't' she said before I finally gave up and decided to fall asleep.

'Ashley!' I heard Nicole's voice.

'Yeah' I slowly opened my eyes to see her shaking me.

'We're in New York!' She squealed and I instantly got up.

'FINALLY' I shrieked.

'I'm not gonna call Val' she said rubbing her arm nervously.

'What made you change your mind?' I asked impressed that she decided to give up her morals.

'We need to enjoy at least one day away from all the bullshit' she said as I nodded.

'Lets go!' I smirked.

We took our stuff before taking a cab and heading towards the hotel, Nicole has reserved us a room there.

We finally made it to our room, it was huge, and the room view was absolutely dazzling.

'Wanna unpack our stuff?' She questioned me.

'Of course not, lets go have diner somewhere' I told her.

'Fine, we'll unpack tomorrow morning then' she said.

'Im so failing this year' I shook my head.

'Ask Sarah to email you everything they do by mail, and when we get back to Ohio, I'll hire you a personal tutor' she said.

'Thanks Nicole..but that's a lot' I told her.

'You're Val's sister, anything for you' she smiled.

'I ship you two' I mumbled as she playfully rolled her eyes.

'I know a nice pizza place in Brooklyn' she said changing the subject.

'Great I'm starving, what's the name of the restaurant?' I asked.

'Juliana's' she answered.

We took a cab and went there, but as soon as we got there, we saw five familiar guys going inside.

'Its them!' I hissed but Nicole instantly covered my mouth, max looked around, and I'm pretty sure he saw me and Nicole in the cab, he eyed us but then Lucas nudged him on the shoulder so he got in.

'Did he see us?' I mumbled

'If he did it would be because of you' she shook her head.

'Lets go to another restaurant' I grinned.

'Ya think' she rolled her eyes.

We got out of the cab and decided to walk in the streets of New York City. Wow, it was amazing.

'I knew it' we heard max's voice behind us, we both turned around to only see max standing there.

'Oh my god max, you can't tell them' Nicole said frowning.

'Okay' he shrugged.

'Well that was easy' I raised my eyebrows.

'But you only have two days to tell Val' he informed us.

'Yeah sure' I answered.

'So where you going?' He asked.

'We're gonna go have diner somewhere' Nicole replied.

'Ill come with you, I ditched them saying I wanted to go the hotel, because they're boring the shit out of me' he chuckled.

'Your laugh is cute' I smiled.

'I think *you're* cute' he winked at me.

'Okay, lets go' Nicole said and we started walking.

'You've always been the silent one in the gang max' I laughed.

'Yeah well, and the youngest' he grinned.

'How old are you?' I asked.

'16' Nicole answered for him.

'Wow you're my age' I laughed.

'No shit' Nicole answered coldly.

'Whats wrong with you?' I asked her.

'When Val finds out I'm gonna be into some deep shit' she sighed.

'It's okay we'll both be' I said.

'Make that three' max said laughing.

For some reason I started uncontrollably laughing, while max chuckled.

'Ah, kids' Nicole giggled.