Fading | discontinued

Chapter 11

"Why will I regret it?" I ask, my heart raising.

Michael just smiles and elbows Luke in the side.

"Because," Luke starts. "He will let you down, you may think he's innocent, but he's a god damn murder-"

I stand up. "How dare you throw that in his face!" My voice in a whisper shout, aware that we are still in a library. I glance to the entrance every so often, hoping Ashton will come back, but I think he is gone. "Do you know how bad he feels about, him." I say referring to Calum.

Michael laughs, his head tips back and the both turn around.

"Oh, we aren't talking about Calum," Michael chuckles.

My breath hitches and my blood runs cold.

"W-what do you mean?" My voice wobbles.

They keep walking towards the exit.

"Wait!" I shout.

"Shhh," someone hisses.

I stand alone, my heart pounding in my chest. What did he mean? Not Calum. Who-who else?

I begin to walk out of the library, scanning the isle and isle of books. I reach the entrance and exit to the car park. My eyes skim over the variety of cars parked, but alas, I don't spot Ashton's. I guess I'm catching the bus home.

I start to walk to the bus stop which is just on the edge of the parking lot, and I hear voices. Voices coming from around the back of the library.

I peek around the corner to see who is there. Michael and Luke lean against the brick wall, smoking.

Michael brigs the cigarette to his pink lips and sucks hard, he exhales a large cloud of smoke.

"You think she bought it?" Luke asks throwing his cigarette bud on the floor and stamping on it.

"Of course she did," Michael smirks "did you see how terrified she looked?" Michael laughs as he puts out his cigarette on the wall.

What? What did I 'buy'?

"Who even is she?" Luke asks pushing himself off the wall.

"Well, I heard she treats him for his depression." Michaels forehead creases. "But I think she gave him a room, you know, because we kicked him out? Yeah, he was on the streets." Michael slightly laughs, a pity laugh.

"She doesn't know what she's getting into," Luke says as he blows air out of his lips.

"C'mon, let's head back," Michael sighs.

I quickly turn on my heel and scurry towards the bus stop.

What's happened in the past half hour has really fried my brain so I try to collect my thoughts.

Okay so, Luke and Michael told me that, apparently, Ashton is a murder. And then I over heard them talking about me 'buying it'. Does that mean they were just joking about before. But why would they say something like that, other than to keep me away from him.

Then Luke's word spark to my mind.

"She doesn't know what she's getting into,"

I sigh, as I pay the bus driver, my heart still beating at an unsteady pace.

I wonder where Ashton is. I hope he's standing outside the apartment, he doesn't have a key yet, I wanted to give him one, but I think he's planning on leaving soon.

I'm exhausted. So fucking exhausted.

I lean my head on the bus window, the glass is cool on my temple.

Ashton is such a freaking mystery, and every time I uncover a little more from his past, I feel myself falling a little bit more for him.

I'm falling for him.

There's no doubt in my mind that I like him. I like him in that way. It's obvious. I bite down on my lip, I wish I didn't. I bet he doesn't feel the same way. He's so complex, he's so broken and his past is full of grief, but since I've met him I've seen him be so sweet and caring, and so vulnerable.

The bus pulls up to my stop.

"Thanks," I mumble as I step out onto the street.

I can see Ashton's car in the distance, it's parked just outside my building. I feel something inside of me relax, and the tension in my shoulders seems to melt away.

My walk breaks into a jog as I get closer to his car.

His head is rested on the steering wheel and I'm sure he doesn't see me.

I lightly tap the window and his head quickly lifts.

He opens the car door and steps out.

"I'm so so sorry for leaving you, I don't know what I was thinking, it's just-" his voice cracks as he drops his head, he stares at the floor.

"Hey, it's okay," I laugh. "I understand, they bring back bad memories."

Ashton gives me a weak smile before bringing me into an embrace, he wraps his arms around my waist, my head rests on his chest.

"C'mon," I say leading his into my building, he grabs my hand as we walk through the lobby.

"Carter?" I turn around, Ashton still grasping my hand. It's Jack. He looks back and forth between me and Ashton and clears his throat.

"Are we still going out today?" He asks. Ashton drops my hand and starts to walk off up stairs.

"Uh yeah!" I say anxiously as I move a piece of hair out of my face.

"Okay cool, I'll see you at 8," he smiles, running a hand through his dark locks.

I turn and run up the stairs, hoping to catch up with Ashton.

I pant as I reach my floor. Ashton stands with his back pressed against my door, his head pointed to the ceiling.

"You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend," Ashton says sternly, his words cold.

"He-he's not my boyfriend," I stutter, fiddling with my thumbs.

"It sure seems that way," he breathes, his eyes fixed upwards.

"Why do you even care?" I ask, I want to hear the answer.

He sighs. "I really don't know,"

I walk up to my door and take out my key, he pushes his weight off and we step inside.

I close the door behind me and as I do he pushes me against it. My breath hitches as he pins me down. My eyes fix onto his.

"Maybe," he inhales, "maybe I care because of this," he says, before pushing his lips onto mine.

-

EKK OMG, I REACHED 500 READS! Thank you all so much for reading, and voting and commenting it means so much to me! It really makes my day with all the support I get! I love you all so, so, so much!!-Caiti