Train - A.Irwin

the letter

→Ashton

When Ashton brought Elaina to Benson's Grocery, she explained to him that she had never worked as a cashier before. She must have caught on well, because Benson snatched her right up, and Elaina started work the very next day.

Elaina decided to use some of her money to immediately move out. Ashton tried to convince her that she shouldn't waste her money, but Elaina was extremely stubborn and declined his offer multiple times.

About three weeks ago, she had rejected. About three weeks ago, she had almost completely acted like he had fallen off of the face of the earth.

Ashton tried to busy himself with other things; his job at the video store, his friend Calum and Michael who shared an apartment on the opposite side of Sydney, Luke, anything. But something always reminded him of Elaina.

So, Ashton decided to try again. Maybe this time he could be nice to her, without pushing her over the edge. He started with something simple by inviting her for dinner with Luke. She declined by texting him back almost immediately, claiming she was working late.

He tried calling her, just to hear her say his name. She would never answer.

After several futile attempts, he thought that maybe he should give it up.

A letter was delivered to Ashton Tuesday morning with no return address. Assuming that his mother sent it to him, trying to surprise him about something, he brought it into the living room with him, sat down, and ripped it open to find chicken-scratch that was far from his mother's loopy, cursive handwriting.

Dear Ashton,

I don't know if you remember me. I don't know if you were even old enough to remember anything about me when I left.

I recently accquired your address and thought that maybe you would give me a second chance if I explained the situation.

21 years ago, on July 25th, I married your mother. 20 years ago, I realized I didn't actually fall in love with your mother, I was blinded by the concept of her loving me to realize that I didn't love her back, I just loved being, well, loved.

Carla, the woman I left with, opened my eyes, Ashton. She showed me what real love was. And I knew that I truly loved her.

The thought of telling this to Anne Marie killed me. It tore me into shreds. So I couldn't tell her. I was a baby and didn't pull on the big pants to tell her that I no longer loved her.

Sometimes, Ashton, people need to swallow their pride and do the thing that they dread most.

I know I probably shouldn't have written this letter, that it will only make you angry. But I miss you, Ashton. I never got a chance to tell you good bye, but I miss you.

His dad hadn't tried to contact Ashton or his mum since he left, so the realization of the situation didn't hit Ashton until the closing of the letter.

Love,
Dad

The paper, stained yellow with tears, crinkled as Ashton balled it in his fist. Hot tears brimmed his eyes before plummeting down his cheeks.

Ashton got into his car and pulled out of the lot. He knew one thing in his blurry subconscious, and that's exactly why he showed up at Elaina's, a blubbering, freezing mess, with his heart in his hands and bloody knuckles from forceful contact to a brick wall that he couldn't recall ever punching.

oh my god it's coming guys the kiss is coming spoiler sorry hhahahaha

ok ok i konw what you're thinking this book is cliche and boring ik ik trust me ik but it's not going to get any less cliche or boring so if you don't like it leave hahaha sorry no ily all thank you for reading babes

FROTC: i'm rereading a bunch of stories so Easy A → hemmings by @wonderlex it's been finished for a little bit and  i started reading it when there was only like two chapters and its been forever but whatevs hahha anyway its based off of the movie (emma stone is hilarious so watch the movie children) and yeah go read it you know you want to

ugh i have science homework shoot me

goodnight