I couldn't stop pacing back and forth all day. I waited all day for seven o'clock to roll around. My nerves started to settle in at about four and I was panicking. What was I doing? I couldn't believe I had agreed to this and I was almost regretting it but something told me to keep going. I couldn't give up now. I checked my phone, 6:30. I headed to my car barely being able to drive, I was so distracted. At every red light I found myself tapping on the steering wheel. I finally pulled into the parking lot. As I walked into the waiting area I spotted Ashton being pulled into an office with his hands behind his back. He made quick eye contact with me and smiled a little but was quickly jerked forward by a security guard.
He was in there for about 30 minutes or more and when he came out the room he was handed a paper then finally released. I took a deep breath in and anxiously waited for him to come over to me.
"You came!" Ashton said.
"I said I would" I replied smiling nervously. I had never been scared around Ashton but now I definitely was.
"What's wrong?" Ashton asked, obviously seeing how terrified I was.
"I'm fine, can we just leave now?" I asked shaking my head as if that would clear my thoughts.
We walked in silence down the hall until we got to Ashton's cell. He stopped and starred at it for a few seconds.
"It's over" Ashton mumbled.
"What?" I questioned, confused.
"I'm finally out of this place Mel!" Ashton cheered. "See" he said while pointing to the five tally marks on his wall. My mind went blank. What was I supposed to say? Congratulation you're not in juvy anymore? I stayed silent.
"Melanie?" Ashton's voice broke my trance. "Melanie are you alright?" Ashton asked.
"Yeah I um... I" was all I could say. I wasn't sure what was wrong with me. I didn't know why I couldn't act normal around Ashton. Was I scared? Nervous?
"Melanie I know this is all probably really scary for you but I promise I won't hurt you" Ashton stated.
"I just need some air, can we just go to my car?" I asked, I couldn't stay in here any longer.
"I couldn't think of anything better" Ashton smiled.
-
We finally got to my car and I was a bit more relieved and relaxed.
"Sorry about my little episode back there" I apologized shyly.
"Don't worry about it, I get it, but right now I'm just glad that I'm free and here with you" Ashton smiled, but I noticed something different in his voice.
"Where are you from?" I blurted out.
"Australia, but you probably didn't notice before, I try to hide my accent" Ashton said shyly.
"Why?" I asked, generally curious.
"I guess I sound more intimidating and stuff without it" Ashton blushed.
"Well I like it" I smiled. We drove for a long time, I wasn't sure how long or where we were going. Ashton stopped at a secluded neighborhood.
"I know a little place for me to stay while I'm in hiding" Ashton said. We both got out of the car and headed to a small hardware store that seemed empty. We went inside and Ashton led me to the basement.
"How did you find this place" I asked, looking around the dark room.
"My dad owned this place a few years ago, I'm not sure if it's still running so I'll have to be quiet" Ashton answered.
"Will I ever get to see you?" I asked.
"Of course you will Mel" Ashton said and I flinched a little when I felt his hands on mine. "I'll let you know when nobody is around and I'll come into town sometimes." Ashton gave me a reassuring smile and squeezed my hands. Unexpectedly, I felt his lips on mine but he quickly pulled away.
"Sorry I shouldn't have done that" Ashton mumbled.
"No, it's okay" I said, pulling Ashton close and kissing him again. I don't know what had come over me, but I liked it.
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OH MY GOD
