Zero Out || M.C.

Sixteen

"You what?" I nearly screamed, catching the attention from everyone surrounding us. "What do you mean your timers went off? you guys have met so many times before how could this even be possible?"

Nothing about this made any sense to me. Ashton and Lindsay had met before, right? I know they have. There's no way they hadn't.

"We were just as surprised as you are Romie." Lindsay tried to calm me down but nothing about what was happening right now was very soothing. "The rule is, your timer goes off when you and your soul mate look into each other's eyes for the first time. Ashton and I realized we had never really met. Sure we had said 'hi' a few times here an there but not one single time did we look at each other in the eyes."

Lindsay looked up at Ashton who was smiling down at her. He placed a quick kiss to her temple as she leaned into him. I mean sure they were cute but this wasn't right. Everything about this was just wrong and confusing. I didn't know what to make out of this. I had never been so confused. How could my two best friends end up being soul mates.

Of course I was happy for them, they seemed really into each other. although Lindsay was not someone I ever imagined Ashton ending up with. She partied. She smoked. She slept around as much as I did. She was just bad news for him. I loved her. I really did but I'm not sure if she was good for Ashton. They were complete opposites. Something has to be wrong here. There's no way...this can't be happening.

I felt Michael place his hand on my thigh an squeeze it a little, grabbing my attention. He gave me a look as if to say "are you ok?" I shot him back a tiny, fake smile. I knew he wasn't buying it though. I wrapped my fingers in with his, releasing my thigh from his grasp.

"How long?" I whispered, refusing to make eye contact with either of them.

I heard Ashton take a deep breath before answering. "About three months."

THREE FUCKING MONTHS? He's been with her for three months and hasn't said a word to me about it? And Lindsay, I can't believe Lindsay hadn't told me. She tells me everything.

There were so many emotions running through my veins right now. I didn't know what I was supposed to feel. I was angry they hadn't told me. I felt betrayed that Michael had known and not said anything. I was a little sad knowing Ashton was over me. As much as he and I would never happen I still liked the fact that he was there. I was happy. I was so happy that he was finally happy and found a girl. But at the same time I just felt like crying and I had no explanation for that. It's strength overpowered every other emotion and took charge. Next thing I knew I was wiping the tears falling from my eyes.

Lindsay stood up from beside Ashton and walked around to sit next to me. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me in for a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry Romie. We didn't mean to make you cry." She spoke into my hair and she tightened we grip on me.

I shook my head against her. "No. No. I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm crying." I tried apologizing for my strange behavior. "Honestly I'm really happy for you guys. It's just shocking that's all.

"We know." Ashton and Lindsay spoke in unison, smiling at each other when they realized what had happened.

"So you're ok with this then?" Ashton questioned me as Lindsay sat back down next to him.

I slowly nodded and smiled at him. "Just take care of each other. Ok?"

They both nodded their heads at me and then shared a disgustingly cute look with each other.

I couldn't handle much more of this. I was starting to feel sick.

--------------------

"How're you feeling babe?" Michael was taking his shirt off and getting ready to get into bed with me. It was still relatively early but I hadn't been feeling too well since our talk with Lindsay and Ashton earlier today.