Silence » a.i

1.3

My house was vacant -- or that's how it seemed walking in. Both of my parents were at work while my brother was at school. There wasn't any noise coming from the house or even any sign anyone had gotten in. But with friends like Ashton's, any of them would know how to get into a house without leaving any traces.

Michael grabbed my hand and led me down the hall to the living room. Ashton stood there with his sunglasses in his back pocket. In his hands was a picture of my family and I during a family reunion the year before. I hadn't really changed at all since then come to think of it.

He didn't notice us come in at all. Instead, he put the picture back down and put his fists to his head again. "Fuck." he growled, sitting down on the couch.

Michael shooed me into the kitchen with his hands. I gave him a quizzical look but did as he asked. I moved swiftly and silently into the other room, listening closely to what he was about to say to him.

"You know," Michael began, "it doesn't really make girls want to bang you when you sneak into their house and stare at their family pictures."

"Go away, Michael." Ashton sighed.

"You know your dumb gift doesn't work on me," Michael reminded him, "Plus, why are you even talking to me? You haven't wanted to talk - unless it was something important - since Calum gave you the gift. The only person you ever spoke to was Chelsea, and that only lasted three days before she got arrested."

"Why does it matter if I talk or not anymore?" he wondered, "I'll probably just end up screwing everything with Bridgette up like I did with everything else -- like what I did with Chelsea."

What did I have to do with anything? How could he possibly screw up anything that had to do with me? I would do anything for Ashton, I thought he knew that. I thought all of them knew how much I cared about them. There was -- almost -- nothing they could do to make me leave them.

"Why the sudden sadness?" Michael inquired.

"You think this is all sudden?" Ashton raised his voice.

"You know what I meant," Michael said, "You usually try to look on the bright side of things. Why are you now giving up?"

Ashton sighed again, "The eviction thing is my fault. I was talking to myself and I said that I wanted my family to be free from the house, and the next day...the sign was on the front lawn."

"Your gift doesn't-"

"I know," Ashton interrupted harshly, "It was the universe or something. I don't know. If I just say things to no one in particular, they still come true. It got me thinking about everything else I fucked up."

"Doesn't mean it'll be the same," Michael said, "You've been doing good with Cooper -- you're being cautious and protecting, and I honestly think she really likes you and cares about you, too. Maybe even loves you. What have you done to affect how she feels? Nothing. You've said no words to her."

"Then I guess it has to stay that way, huh?" he let out a sharp laugh, "You start to like someone and you can't even say anything to them. I liked Chelsea and look where my words got her? Some gift."

"What are you doing?" Calum whispered behind me.

I jumped and spun around, "Jesus," I whispered harshly, "you almost gave me a damn heart attack!"

"Sorry," he smiled, "You know, Ashton's cooled down a lot. You could go talk to him if you want."

"But then he'd know I was listening," I pointed out, "Wait, where have you been?"

"Your brother's room." he shrugged.

I opened my mouth to ask why, but shut it. It was probably best if I didn't know. Calum walked around me and to the front door. He placed his hand on the knob and waved me over with his other. I tip-toed next to him before he opened the door and shut it loudly, causing me to jump. Then he pushed me into the living room.