It's officially the first week of December.
Not much had gone on in the next few weeks. Luke would come over most days, but only to hang out with Calum. Most of the time they just hung out in his room. Luke hasn't spoken to me much. He'd say hi here and there but he seemed to be content in his relationship with Sierra. It made me sad, remembering how he said that he couldn't not talk to me, how we've been friends for too long.
Yet here he was, barely speaking to me anymore.
Ashton hadn't talked to me much either since I left his house. The events that had taken place there still burned in my mind. The look on Ashton's face when he was struck by his father, emotionless. It was as if he wasn't alive, he'd felt nothing at all.
It worried me to see him like that, not because of the possibility of him being hurt, but the fact that he had no emotion towards it. It makes me sad to know that he'd probably been scarred to the point of being numb to his father's actions.
I don't know why I kept thinking about it. I had no idea why I cared so fucking much, but my mind wouldn't let the thoughts pass away.
I'd stayed back in class, in algebra. It wasn't until I heard Mr. Williams' voice that I realized I'd still been sitting in my seat. It's been five minutes since the bell has rung.
"Alice?" I hear him speak. I felt as if I was in some trance, one I couldn't seem to pull myself out of. The feeling bothered me to no end.
"Yeah?" I shouldn't have even had to ask, I probably looked crazy staying behind in class, staring at the wall for what? For reasons Mr. Williams didn't know.
"Are you alright?" I finally look up at him, grabbing my backpack and standing up.
"Yes, I'm fine." I push my things into my bag, in a hurry to leave. I felt awkward all of a sudden. My brain tugged at the thought of nicotine, coursing through my body and I began to crave a cig. I move past Mr. Williams and go to leave.
"Alice. If you ever need help with anything, know the administration is here to guide you. We're always happy to help." I look back at him and he looked at me with nothing but concern in his eyes. I give him a small smile.
"Thank you." He nods and with that I push the door aside, making my way through the hallway. There were still people wandering about the halls before the late bell rang, it hadn't yet. I take this chance to run outside. I push through the double doors and soon I'm greeted with the brisk winter air. I take a deep breath and then I hear voices, laughter. I look to my far left and see who it is.
Michael, Ashton and Crystal all stand in a circle, passing around what looked to be a joint. The first one I notice is Ashton, his hair in a mess of curls, only this time longer. He's been letting his hair grow out and it had gotten just above his ears. I wasn't sure how I felt about it but he definitely didn't look bad.
He wore a heavy leather jacket, and he looked beautiful. I watched as his face lit up at something Michael said, throwing his head back in light laughter. I missed his company, it's been weeks, and I hadn't realized it's been that long until now.
As he puts the joint between his lips he looks over at me, finally making eye contact. We just stare at each other for a moment until he nods his head toward them, signaling for me to come over. Michael and Crystal soon look and see me too. Crystal smiles wide and waves at me. I haven't seen her since the bonfire, I kind of missed her. Once I get close enough I smile.
"Hey guys." Crystal moves forward and hugs me.
"Hey! I missed you girl, where have you been?" She exclaims. Michael slightly rolls his eyes at her giddiness, to which I ignore.
