Through the dark (One Direction and 5SOS Fanfiction)

Chapter 20

Ashton's POV

"Hi" Grace was in the small chair beside my bed. Her hair was wet and she was wearing Pajamas. Her voice was soft and Full of sympathy. I looked over to see Candles lit on my bed side locker.

"Vanilla Scented candles" I whispered slash laughed.

"Yeah, I found them in the bathroom, I said I would light them to bring a sense of calmness after everything"

"Well, its nice. Thank you" Beside the candles was a book, she yawned and curled up in the chair.

"Are you tired ?"

"Hmmmm" she said closing her eyes and snuggling up in the chair. I felt bad. As comfortable and Kind of adorable as she looked on the chair, I felt lime she could be more comfortable.

"Grace, do you want me to carry you to your bed?"

"Don't be ridiculous , you're supposed to be resting up" she mumbled not opening g her eyes.

"Then will you at least lie beside me ? I can't sleep here knowing you're squished onto that small chair"

I was prepared for her to object but surprisingly, she got up and lay beside me. I looked over, she was lying with one arm above her head and the other placed over her stomach. She looked over and Caught me staring.

"What were you reading?" I grabbed the book of he locker. I glanced at the front cover and smiled

"Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn" I sighed and she took it from me.

" This was the first ever book I was given, I swear I've read it at least 50 times" .She ran her fingers along the worn down cover.

"Do you read a lot?"

"Yes, I have read a lot recently, as a kid I used to read by the lake instead of playing games, I was a book worm all my life , until I met Tyler. He was like a fictional character! somehow I still don't believe he existed. He loved reading too but when we were together, the last thing we wanted to do was read. I was head over heels in love! Of course Harry acted as Dad, watching mine and Tyler's every move. We were together for 4 years. He was 21 I was 19 but it worked. It was our 4th anniversary, Tyler and I decided to go out, do something fun to celebrate. But-"

She stopped and place the book on the floor beside her and turned on her side so the front part of her body was facing me. I decided to do the same.

"But before we got to our hotel we had booked for the night, Our car was hit by and 18 wheeler. The truck hit my side of the car, I don't understand why I lived?. Tyler was killed instantly, so I was told. I woke up 3 weeks later in hospital, paralyzed from the waist down."

I looked and Grace and Gave her a sympathetic look mixed with a confused look. Paralyzed?

I lay at home for months after Tyler died, doing nothing, saying nothing. But I had my thoughts. I said to myself, 'If I could get up and walk right now, I would be on the first flight to Harry. ' Funny enough , a week later I woke up got out of bed and walked to the kitchen, it was my mother screaming that woke me up,I was walking! A week later , I flew to L.A.... and well you know the rest"

A wave of guilt flushed over me. After everything we put her through she seems almost, normal. Almost like she has forgiven us for our behavior. We said nothing. But the silence wasn't awkward. Surprisingly it was quite relaxing. I found myself staring at her, and she stared back. Her Green eyes almost burned a hole through me. Her skin was Meticulous, with not one imperfection, u less you count the couple of freckles scattered over her nose and cheeks. Her eyes began to close slowly. She was exhausted, as was I . Before I knew it she was asleep and I was left alone with one thought