Laconic » a.i

0.2

//ashton//

I just wanted Bridgette to be happy and I felt like I was stopping her from that. I guess it took her choosing Michael over me to realize I was a huge asshole and it was my fault. If I was still somewhere in there when I suffered my episodes, maybe there was a way to control it. I probably just wasn't trying hard enough.

I woke up the morning of Bridgette's dinner with her parents and walked around town. I didn't have anywhere particular I wanted to go, but I couldn't stay there. I didn't know if it bothered her to see me around, but it bothered me to see her and Mikey together. Yes, I wanted her to be happy, but that didn't mean I had to stick around to see it. Besides, my episodes were showing up again and if I stuck around any longer, I'd probably end up killing everyone on Westfield Drive.

I had to admit, I wasn't 100% sure her and Michael were a thing, but that kiss tore me up. I didn't even want to bring it up because I didn't want to merely think about it. It just hurt too much. I did notice the two of them had gotten closer while her and I were just drifting even farther apart.

My feet ended up dragging me up the driveway to the Hoods around evening time. I didn't go in, just stood outside and looked at the house. Then Mrs. Hood opened the door and looked at me looking at her house.

"What are you doing, Ashton?" she quizzed. "Come inside, honey."

I just went inside. I didn't feel like protesting with her because then she'd just ask what I was doing outside and why I wasn't at Luke's or something. So I followed Calum's mom into the kitchen where she set me down some shepherd's pie. There was a newly emptied plate at the chair next to mine.

"Is Calum here?" I wondered as she took the empty plate away.

"He's been at Luke's house all day, actually," she sighed. "Mali-Koa's been staying with us. I'm sorry again for what she did to you and the group. I'm trying to get her better, I really am."

"It's okay, Joy," I told her with a polite smile as I took my glasses off and set them on the table by the orange juice she gave me. "It's not your fault."

She left down the hallway, appearing back minutes later with her purse, "I have to run to the store quickly. Mali shouldn't bother you."

After she left, I turned back to my food. I felt like I should've asked if she could help me get better too, but I knew she wouldn't. She's already told me there's no fixing me. But there has to be a way. Calum can't because he's not even very powerful yet. But would I dare ask Mali?

She's my only hope.

I cleared my plate before dropping it into the sink. I walked quietly down the hallway and up the flight of stairs to the bedroom that the Hoods had abandoned for years. I knew they were keeping Mali locked away up there -- Calum had told me. I knocked on the door without a second thought and heard no reply. I unlocked the door and walked in anyway.

She was sitting on the floor, her dark hair making a curtain around her face. There were five books scattered all around her, and I recognized them as spell books. She didn't look up as I entered, probably thinking I was Cal or her mom.

"Hi." I said softly.

Her head snapped up and confusion painted her face, "Ashton?"

"I need your help." I stated. I might as well just get to the point.

Her eyebrows lifted as a smirk pulled on the corner of her mouth, "Tell me about it."

"Mali," I sighed. I saw something flicker on her face when I said her name, "I'm serious."

She glanced back down at the books before looking back at me, "My mom's already tried so much to fix you. Even I have. There's nothing."

"Your mom managed to fix the freedom spell," I reminded her, "so fixing me can't be impossible."

She stared at the floor in front of her with pursed lips. Then she stood, her long, tan legs being shown off by a black pair of denim shorts. She walked over to me slowly, looking like she was in the middle of thinking. But once she reached me, she grabbed my face between her hand.

"You'll do as I say, got it?" she demanded. "No matter what. Or I'll send you straight to Bridgette, and you'll be worse than when you left."

I didn't know how I could get any worse, but I agreed to Mali-Koa's terms either way. She began packing essential things that she grabbed from her room and stuffing them into a black backpack. Then she went down the hall and down the stairs, grabbing things from the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and even Calum's room. Then she went back to the kitchen and grabbed a sticky note from the pad on the fridge.

"Write a note saying you're leaving," she instructed. "Don't say it's with me, but just say you're leaving."

I nodded and grabbed a pen from the counter.

Everyone,

I can't stay in Westfield Drive anymore. I have to sort things out. I'm sorry

-Ashton xx

Mali took the note, reading it over, before sticking it on the table and dragging me out of the house and into her car. She started it up and took me to God knows where.