Hot Chocolate

Date

We talked about weird things and got to know each other a bit. It was like we had been friends for years. It was so easy to talk to her. We were laughing about the dumbest shit.

I sit back and think, this girl has to be mine.

We were playing 20 questions and laughing our asses off. "Craziest ex story?" I ask her.

"hmm," she puts her finger to her chin looking up. "Well this one is very serious, I don't know if I should say..."

I grab her arm rubbing my hand up and down it, trying to comfort her. "Its ok I won't tell a soul." I say referring the others in the waiting room.

"Well I'll tell you just promise you won't?" I nod "so I was with this boy, Ben, and we were in love. We started to date sophomore year and up until last year, when I finally had the strength to stop it. It was abusive, physically, mentally he also did other things that I don't want to talk about." I was taken back by her confession but kept my mouth shut knowing she wasn't finished.

"The abuse started around senior year, he would apologize but continued. I was scared to leave him. He threatened me weekly so I wouldn't. Threatened my friends and sisters. And said it would be my fault if anything happened to the people I love. I was petrified, I feared him and in the beginning I was to blind to leave him. He finally left bruises where they were visible and my sister's took me to the police. He got locked up. I still have trauma from it and get triggered by things like a random guy slapping my ass." She said with tears streaming down her face. I wipe them away with my thumb while my hand rests on her cheek.

"You were strong enough to power through it. Don't think you're weak, you tried to protect your family that's smart, I think anyone that would be in that situation would most likely do the same. It's just sad it wasn't sooner. I'm sorry for the pain you went through." I say looking in her eyes searching for an emotion.

She starts balling her eyes out and I grab her, wrapping my arms around her tiny body. She shakes in my arms. She quiets down and takes deep breathes to steady her breathing. "It's going to be ok, you're safe from him. No ones going to hurt you as long as I'm around." I say trying to sooth her.

We chill for a bit and Ariana comes in, "Your getting discharged early and coming home tonight." Ari says holding Ashton's hand.

"You do have to take some pills if you ever feel like stressed or scared, okay?" Ariana said looking at Ashton seriously.

"Yes mother." She said back jokingly but in a serious tone.

I'm guessing they have had problems with her taking pills in the past. Ariana gives her clothes to her and she goes into the bathroom to change. I can hear her faintly singing, I look at Ariana with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, we can all sing Miles" she answers my question before I open my mouth.

I laugh at her response. Ashton comes out with the gown in her arms. She sets it on the bed and gets her phone from Ariana.

"Let's go" they walk hand in hand to the waiting room and nearly everyone is passed out or slowly drifting to sleep. I hit the wall, the booming noise echoed through the small room, making everyone jolt awake.

"What the fuck asshole!" Nixon said clearly pissed.

I move showing Ashton behind me.

"Oh shit, okay ha let's go. Are we going back to your place?" He asked me

I look at Angie and Ariana wondering what the plans were.

"I guess your place, the snacks and games are still there." Angie said

"I cant stay, I have work tomorrow." Grant says helping up Eleanor out of the chair.

"That's fine, you guys can leave whenever you want." I say

"Yeah me too I have work at the 'sunrise' tomorrow, it's an early shift." Angie said putting her arm around Ashton as we walk to get to the car.

"We only brought one car so someone has to sit on a lap." Eleanor says getting in the back handing me the keys.

They all get situated and I drive off with the radio low. They talk amongst themselves and I focus on the road only talking when asked a question. Sometimes I feel like the mom of the group and I'm a dude.

We get home and I have to help Ashton up to the loft. She leans her head on my shoulder. Grant and Angie leave as soon as we get there and Ashton and Ariana are staying here, they're spending the night.

We get to the elevator and I whisper in Ashton's ear.

"I think you own me a date, after that scare you gave me, it's only fair." I chuckle

"Fine, it's only fair." She rolls her eyes

We get to the loft and I take Bear to go pee before bed. I come back and the girls are in Eleanor's room giggling. I shake my head smiling. I pick up Bear and open the door. "Goodnight girls"

"Goodnight Miles" they laugh

I lay in bed for hours unable to sleep, then there was a knock on my door.

Note: oh shit who is it to bad you have to wait you can probably guess who it is though