Silence » a.i

2.3

Jeremy encouraged me to go back, especially after what I told him about what Ashton did only minutes before I went inside to find him. He said that I should stay the night if I'm really upset, but at least go back the next morning. So I did. I showered and put my clothes from the day before back on. But before I left, I looked back inside my old room. My bed and it's frame were still there, that being the only thing still in the room besides my dresser and vanity. But there was something tied around the pole of my headboard that caught my eyes. It was a piece of red fabric. I walked closer and untied it, seeing it was the bandana Ashton had given me for my birthday. I smiled to myself, remembering when he could remember me. I folded it up and tied it around my head, keeping the knot on the top before exiting my room and leaving my old house.

I walked right into the house to be greeted by silence.

"Hello?" I called as I poked my head into the kitchen.

No one was there. There was, however, a note left on the counter.

Cooper,

Calum and Mali did that spell thingy on me so I could leave with them. We have to go take care of some stuff for today. Ashton may or may not stop by but after yesterday, I think he should be fine. We'll see you soon! 

-Luke 

PS Michael's complaining about copycats again

I put the note in the trash before grabbing another apple from the mysterious bowl on the counter, and walked into the living room. I could probably just verse the computer in Mario Kart or something while I waited. But lo and behold, just as Luke had said, Ashton was sitting in the living room by himself in silence. I jumped slightly at the sight of him -- it actually surprised me he showed up when none of his friends were here. He must've seen me flinch, and he looked up.

"Hi." I greeted quietly.

He nodded.

"Um, how long have Luke and them been gone?" I stammered.

He held up two fingers.

"Hours?"

He nodded.

I nodded too, "Alright. Um, did you want something to eat or..?"

He shrugged and nodded. I led him back into the kitchen and talked to him just to fill the silence. "There's suddenly food here which is really weird because Luke can't eat. I'm assuming they went shopping but I don't know where they could've gotten the money for it because none of them actually have jobs."

As I turned to see if Ashton was actually following me, he had put his hand in his back pocket and pulled out a beat-up black leather wallet. He opened it to reveal a surprising amount of money and smiled sheepishly.

"Y-you've been paying for it?" I questioned, staring wondrously up at the boy I could've sworn wanted nothing to do with me up until yesterday.

He nodded.

"How?"

He shrugged.

I thought about how he could possibly have that much money, and then remembered his family. He must've gotten all of their money after his mom passed away. That, and the fact his dad left him meant he'd get all of their money. And I assumed he cleaned out whatever cash they were stashing inside the house before I lured him out.

"Well...thanks." I nodded.

He smiled slightly and nodded back.

"Okay," I breathed, "food. So, is there anything you really want or really don't want?"