Love, Stephanie

Chapter 10

Today was another average day, and it began like it always did. It started with the same routine, same schedule, and same agenda for later. Sometimes though, things don't stay the same.

I woke up in the morning at the usual time, ate the usual breakfast, wore regular, and quite usual clothes, wore usual shoes, and started my usual job.

I arrived at the cafe, listening to the bell as I pushed open the glad door. I looked around, hearing silence.

This was not usual.

I was never allowed into the kitchen, because that's where they prepared the food, and Ashton's father clearly stated he didn't want a girls hair in his "masterpieces." I smiled at the thought, but the nervousness was still dominant inside of me.

I slowly took off my jacket, hung it up, and pulled on the apron I was assigned to wear. I pushed a loose strand of hair out of my face while walking towards the open/ closed sign. I started to flip it to let the world know the little cafe was open to enjoy.

And that's when it started.

I suddenly heard a loud smack throughout the entire building, chilling me to the bone. I heard yelling and shouting, making step away from the kitchen in horror. I wanted to go into the kitchen, but I knew it was none of my business.

The smacking and yelling became louder, but after time it became quiet. I heard whispering and the door to the kitchen started to open. I stared at it, wondering what was coming out. It could be murderer, or a rapist, or a robber. Or maybe even my worst nightmares...

"Hello Cristina, how are you this morning," Ashton's father said to me in a strangely cool and collected voice. "Um... Fine," I said nervously, looking at him as if he had two heads. "Um, what was that.... noise in the kitchen," I asked slowly, making sure I was close enough to sprint out the door if something were to happen. Ashton's father blinked for a few moments, staring at me. 

"What are you talking about," he said, just as collected as before."Um... the banging, the yelling?" I said while pointing at the door. Ashton's father chuckled, while pushing my hand down slowly. "Don't worry about it Cristina," he said, giving me chills. "Now, I have to go out, I'll be back soon." He left swiftly, making me continue to stare at the door.

Do I go in?

What are you, and idiot? There could be a rapist in there! You don't want to lose your purity to a monster, right?

But what if it's majorly important?

Just shut up, go home, AND DON'T COME BACK! 

But, being myself and such, I went to the kitchen anyways. I slowly opened the door, keeping my eyes closed. I prayed to myself it wouldn't be too bad. It couldn't, right? 

I was wrong. So, so, so very wrong. 

There was Ashton, lying on the ground, clearly enjoying himself if you would call him that.

But I didn't enjoy seeing it.

He was peacefully at bliss, making barely a breath.

If only he would breath.

I could barely look at the dead body in front of me anymore as I ran outside into the cold air without my jacket. I threw off my aporn as I ran down the street, water glimmering in my eyes. I pressed forward, attempting to stay as calm as possible. Before I knew it, the tears started to stream down my face as I ontinued forward, not stopping until something would get in my way.

As soon as I saw my house in sight at a somewhat short distance, I bumped into someone, making them nearly fall into the ground. I had no idea who it was, but I didn't care at the moment. I started to cry into the strangers chest, lettting the tears fall and the sobs come out. I felt the person wrap their arms around me, trying to quiet me with reassuring shushes and a warm embrace. I felt them kiss my forward, making me cease crying. I sniffled as I slowly looked up. When I saw their face though, the cries came out again.

"Ssh, it'll be okay," Paul whispered to me as he slowly picked me up in his arms. He carried me into my home, somehow unlocking the door, carrying me up the stairs, and placing me on my bed. I sniffled softly, feeling tired and overwhelmed. Paul tucked me in caerfully and sat on the edge of the bed as the tears continued to fall, even though the sobs stopped. 

"Paul?" I whispered hoarsely, sniffling softly. "Yes love," he asked while stroking my hair. "Why did it have to be him," I asked. Paul looked confused for a moment, but clearly knew not to ask. "I don't know love, but I know it will be fine," he said gently. I sniffled again, sitting up somewhat. 

"But it won't be fine," I said as loudly as my hoarse voice would let me. "Ashton is dead. Dead! And it's all his father's fault, and it's not fair because I cared about him and- and-" the sos came out a third time as I let everything out. Paul slowly came closer and pulled me onto his lap into a hug as he kissed away the tears on my cheeks.

"I know it's hard right now but it will get better," he advised me as he wiped the last tear from my face. I looked up into his eyes, feeling lost in them. "Hey," he whipered to me. "You know what?" "What," I whispered even quieter. "I care about you," he said to me as he started to lay me back down. I only looked at him, feeling too choked up to speak. "I care about you so much, I hate to see you cry." He kissed my cheek softly, before pulling off his leather jacket and crawling in. He slowly wrapped his sturdy arms around my somewhat shaking body. 

Paul hummed a relaxing tune as my eyelids became heavier till I couldn't keep them open. I felt like I was going to fall asleep, till Paul whispered in my ear.

"I know you can't hear me, but I love you, and I don't want you crying anymore," he said, making my face redden, but luckiy he couldn't see. He played with my hair for a little as I rested my eyes. He kissed my forehead and whispered 'I love you,' for a second time. I smiled, finally opening my eyes and looking up at him. He smiled down, his eyes filled with drowsiness thatmine most likely matched.

Paul slowly leaned in, till I felt his lips on mine. 

I felt so many things in that one kiss I didn't know how to explain it. I felt warmness, almost like a feeling of home. I felt peacefulness, as almost I was on a cloud. I felt sparks throughout my body, making me tingle. But most importantly, I felt love. 

I felt true love in a kiss. Is that even possible? I wasn't sure, but I knew I loved.

As we kissed, we both knew we never wanted to pull away, but we both did, needing air in our lungs. "Wow," we both whispered at the same time. I giggled and blushed as Paul softly to himself.

"You know it's true though," he said while playing with my hair. "I love you." I smiled brightly, feeling happy. "I think I love you too," I said. Paul chuckled at my statement. "You think?" "Yeah, I do," I whispered before kissing him yet again.

After a while, I felt the heaviness in my eyelids again and I knew this time I couldn't avoid it. I yawned, making Paul smile sidely. "Tired?" he asked while kissing my forehead. I nodded, quickly falling asleep in his arms.