we both sit in the back of the music store letting the music flow through. the boy continues rocking out on the guitar from the other side of the store but his notes were long drowned out after the vinyl record started playing.
"do you like it?" ashton asks me.
"surprisingly, yes," i reply, smiling.
he smiles back at me. i have a sudden urge to poke his dimples. he lies his head back on the wall and closes his eyes, "elle,"
"yes?"
he doesn't reply. he opens his eyes and looks over at me, "never mind."
"okay," i say. an uncomfortable feeling settles over my stomach when i feel ashton staring at the bruise on my jaw again. i retie the scarf around my jaw hoping he'll look away.
after the song ends, ashton jumps to his feet, "let's go get our coffee now,"
