Disconnected (Amnesia Sequel)

5 - Stories from the past

Today was a lazy day. After Ashton went home last night, Hayes never left my side. We watched a movie until we fell asleep on the couch. Nathan never came home, not like it was the first time.

I haven't been completely honest with you. My life wasn't perfect, not in one way possible. My relationship with Caitlin is on the rocks, she doesn't talk to me like she used too. I feel like she just hates me for taking her away from her life, in L.A. but sometimes it feels like she just doesn't want to be here. She has every right to leave she's of age but yet she stays.

And as you guessed it, Nathan doesn't treat me the way I should be treated. But leaving him isn't as easy as everyone says it is. He has been my whole world for the past year, and if I leave him then what would I do? Go back to my old life? I wouldn't do that to myself.

I got knocked out of my thoughts by a loud bang coming from downstairs.

'Hayes?' I shout out.

I walk out of the room and down the hallway. As Hayes comes out of his room, holding Kayla.

'Did you hear that noise too?' He questions, as I nod.

'Hold Kayla, I'll check it out.' Hayes says while he hangs Kayla to me.

'Be careful.'

He walks downstairs and I slowly follow him. We walk down the stairs and into the dinning room, to see someone in the kitchen.

'What the hell.' I heard a familiar voice and the figure turns around.

'Nathan? Oh my god you have us a fright.' I gasped.

'Why are you still here?' He says while stumbling over his feet.

'You are clearly drunk. Let's get you to bed.' I laugh.

'I'm not drunk you bitch.' He pushes me away.

'Hayes take Kayla upstairs.' I say as I turn around  to Hayes. He obliged and went upstairs.

'Babe let me help you upstairs.' I smile as I grab his shoulder. He shoves me away and walks towards the fridge.

'Nathan let me help you.' I hug him from behind.

'Get off me!' He yells and pushes me into the counter top. I fall to the ground.

He looks me, right into my face, and walks out the front door.

'Ashleigh. We are leaving right now.'

'Hayes I'm fine.' I say as I get up from the floor.

'Not you're not.'

'Yes I..' I clench my hip.

'We're leaving this house. Let's go to Ashton's place.'

I'm too weak too argue. I follow him to the car. And get in the front seat.

'What. No. Get out of the drivers seat.' Hayes said.

'You don't have your license yet.'

'I have my learners.' He replies.

He helps me into the passenger seat, and the buckles up Kayla in her car seat. He gets in the front seat and starts driving. I can't help but look out for Nathan walking along the streets, but he is no where to be found. They weren't kidding when they said love is blind. I look out the window and stare at the night sky. There's a whole universe out there. My problem is so small compared to the real problems out there. I couldn't help but let my mind wonder.

'I love you. You know that right?'

'You don't have to tell me twice Cal. I love you too.' I smile will kissing his hand.

'Can I tell you something?'

'Of course.'

'It's really stupid but I found this old book of my mom's. And I read it. The whole thing, I can't actually believe I read the whole thing.' He laughs.

'Yes we all know you aren't really the ideal academic.'

'Yeah yeah. So I read this book, and it's about finding love. I read the book and the only thing I could think about is you, and being with you. It spoke about a person that would love so much, that it hurt them. And how uphappy it made them, but they were in love and that was all that mattered to them.'

'So you're unhappy?' I hesitantly ask.

'No no God no.' He laughs and takes my hand.

'Good. You had me worried there.'

'What I'm trying to say is that. Love is a sacrifice, our whole relationship is a sacrifice and I only understood this when I realised I wanted you to be happy even if it's going to be without me.'

'What do you mean?' I say letting go of his hands.

'Ashleigh I love you, but I can't go with you to Manhattan. There's too much for me here.' He says as I see a single tear fall from his face onto the palm of my hand.

'Are you okay?'

'Yeah I'm okay.' I smile.

'We're almost there. I already texted Ashton.'

I nod and turn around to see Kayla, sound asleep as always.

We arrive at Ashton's house. He came running out the house and hugged me. Even though I was in pain, that hug made me feel like everything will be okay. He cried as he carried me into the dinning room.

'Please don't cry.' I wipe away his tears as he kneels in front of me.

'I-I made a promise to Luke. He asked me to look after you when he wasn't here. And Calum, Calum trusted that I will protect you at all costs, and-and I haven't been doing that. That man who is suppose to love you and protect you is the one who is hurting you and breaking you down. You can't stay with him Ashleigh. I wont let you.' He crys.

'Ashton.'

'No. Don't Ashton me.'

'Okay.' I was all I could manage to say. This was the first time, in a long time that I truly felt loved and cared for.

For the next few days I stayed at Ashton's place. Cailey and Lily came home yesterday, they showed me all the amazing pictures that we're taken. It looked as if it was an amazing adventure. I wish I went with. Maybe then, none of this would've happened. They are looking after the business while I'm taking off. I haven't seen Nathan. I don't think I'll see him anytime soon, I just hope he is okay.

'Ashleigh. Can I talk to you for a second?'

'Sure. What's up.' I smile.

'So remember when I asked you to think about going to visit Luke's grave, in L.A?'

'Yeah.'

'So I booked four tickets for us. We are leaving on Friday.'

'Ashton. That's very repulsive. And very short notice.'

'Listen, Cailey and Lily will look after the magazine. Hayes is going to take off from school and Kayla. Well we can just let the daycare know.'

'Wait what? What about Caitlin?'

'I asked her. She doesn't want to come with.'

'So it's me, You, Hayes and Kayla?'

'Yes. Us four.'

'I don't think I'm ready.'

'You are ready. We need this.'

Much love xx