Laconic » a.i

0.1

//cooper//

Two months. Two whole months since we heard that Ashton and Mali went missing. Two months since I had a panic attack in the middle of dinner with my parents and the boys had to drag them across the street while Michael attempted to calm me down. Two months of dreams that Ashton was dead or being tortured. Two months.

We waited so long because I had to put up an act for my parents. I had to finish high school like nothing was wrong. I had to continue smiling every day like a boy I cared deeply about wasn't possibly in the most danger he could possibly be in. I had to act like everything was completely normal.

I normally would've been upset that my parents decided to move three hours away, but this made leaving to find Ashton even easier. I wouldn't have to explain why my house was going to be vacant for who knows how long. Who even knew if I'd be coming back anyway? But their moving meant a family would move into the newly vacant house. So the Hoods were forced to work pretty damn hard on perfecting their potion to free someone from a house just so Jeremy wouldn't be stuck there.

The night Calum told us, Mikey, Luke, and I went to find out what was going on. Jeremy had to go back to his house with Calum to watch my parents until they woke up from that powder -- which I found out was sleeping powder that also erased memory. Mrs. Hood showed us the sticky note saying Ashton had left and probably wouldn't be coming back. There were no clues as to where he went. And it also didn't mention anything about taking Mali with him, so there were so many different possibilities that ran through my head.

I was relieved when graduation had finally come along. Michael and Calum -- Luke was up for whatever -- promised we'd pack up the next day and try to track down Ashton and Mali. I just had to get through graduation and that night. I didn't know if I'd be able to sleep at all.

"Jeffery Collins," the principal announced into the microphone. The boy in front of me walked on with a bright smile plastered on his face. I'd have to do the same. "Bridgette Cooper."

I heard my family and my friends -- all two of them -- cheering loudly even though no one else would hear Luke or Michael. I forced a smile to my face as I shook the hand of the principal and took my diploma with the other hand. My exit probably looked rushed, but it wasn't like I'd see any of these people ever again anyway.

I spent a few moments with my family -- my parents that drove up to see me and Jeremy, along with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. I was relieved when we were able to pile into my car and go back to Luke's place -- no matter how long I lived there, I would still call it Luke's house.

"Congrats again, Cooper," Luke smiled, kissing my cheek. "You too, Jeremy, but I'm not kissing you."

I nodded in response, giving a half-smile. To be honest, I hardly even talked to anyone anymore. I'd talk to Jeremy, mostly. I don't know, I guess I just didn't have much motivation anymore. It was funny in a way because it was like I'd turned into Ashton.

I was trying so hard not to let this Ashton thing take over my life, but the passed two months, it was all I could think about. Now that I knew I was leaving tomorrow to find him, I was starting to feel a little better. I was still freaking out, but it wasn't as bad as before.

"Where's my kiss?" Calum asked. "I graduated too."

Luke made a kissy face at him but Calum quickly leaned away.

"Time for your graduation present!" Calum shouted over his shoulder as he ran into the living room and down the hall.

"Can't we do this tomorrow, Hood?" Michael asked loudly as he walked with me to the living room. "She should sleep!"

I could hear Calum rushing down the stairs. He rounded the corner with a box in his hands, "But I already got the box."

"She won't sleep if you give it to her now." Michael sighed.

"But now I'm curious." I whined quietly, leaning my head on Mikey's shoulder as I was actually feeling kind of tired.

I knew ghosts didn't necessarily have to sleep and didn't really ever feel tired -- sleep was more of a thing to pass time -- but I had been feeling drained these last few months.

"Bummer," he shrugged, "you're going to sleep. You have to get up early tomorrow."

"But Michael." I groaned loudly, holding out the "i".

"Cooper, you're never this stubborn." Luke mused, squinting at me. I could tell he was trying to pick apart my thoughts.

I covered my eyes.

"Well, if you're going to be like that..." Michael trailed off. I was lifted in the air, causing a squeal to escape my lips. "Goodnight, guys," he called over his shoulder. "Tell Jeremy we went to bed."

"Don't drop the precious cargo!" Luke called as Michael carried me up the stairs.

He opened the door and kicked it shut after walking through, setting me down on the bed. "Just get ready for bed, Cooper." he laughed, chucking some clothes at me.

He turned so I could change. As I changed into the cotton shorts he'd thrown at me, he hummed some tune he was making up to himself quietly. I tugged on the shirt he gave me and crawled into bed. He got in next to me, keeping the lamp on the nightstand on. We faced each other so we could talk since I wasn't incredibly tired.

"I'm proud of you for graduating." he told me with a smile.

"I'm glad I'm finally out," I sighed. "School is terrible. Especially when you know you don't need it."

"I know," he said sympathetically, "and with you stressing about Irwin, I just- You're a strong girl, Cooper."

"Strong enough to stay up for the present Calum has?"

"You should really sleep." he chuckled.

"But I'm not even tired anymore." I complained.

"Cooper," he sighed. "I'm really trying here. We have to find Irwin."

I let out a long breath, "Right."

I fell asleep to the sound of his humming and light singing, just like most nights.

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** hello it's future editing me again and JESUS CHRIST Michael and Cooper (I'm calling her that from now on I've always liked that name more anyway) were really horrible as a couple I'm glad I took it out. Thank me later