Relentless

Chapter 15

Jay

After my first day of school, I think it's a good idea to relax and read.

I lay on my bed with my earbuds in, listening to broadway, and reading. I start to hum along with it when I feel someone tap my shoulder. I look to my left and see Ash smiling. I rip my earbuds out and jump up from my bed.

"How did you get in here?" I ask.

"The window." He says. I look behind him to see my window open. "You really should put a lock on it or something."

I chuckle and sit back down on the bed, gesturing him to sit next to me. He sits down and looks at my novel.

"Is this good?"

"Good? It's amazing!" I say, smiling at him. I look up and see him looking at me, wide-eyed. "What?"

"You seem like a totally different person."

"Why is that?"

"Well, for one you haven't cursed at me."

"The day's still young."

"Two, you are actually smiling at me and three earlier today you were talking about singing and now I find you in your room, reading and listening to... What is that?"

"It's a song."

"Runaway With Me?" He says, reciting the title.

"You're such a snoop you know that?" I say, taking my phone from his hand.

"So Brooke tells me you're in her chorus class."

"She is so obnoxious! She thinks she can sing but meanwhile she sounds like she has a severe nasal problem that should be checked out by a doctor. I've heard so many people who can show her up! She would feel like..." I cover my mouth and look at Ashton who is staring at me. "I'm sorry, I should just be quiet."

"Could you show her up?" He asks. I hesitate to answer and hear him chuckle. "Or are you just all talk?"

"I am not all talk. I can show you." I say. I search through my phone and find the video of a twelve-year-old me singing Reflection from Mulan. When the intro starts, I hear him start to laugh. And then comes my voice.

I sound so little it's almost cute. I hear Ashton gasp when I do a crescendo and I glance at him to see him already staring at me. I feel all of the memories of my father coming back to me, including the promise I made him. I look away from Ashton and bit my lower lip, trying to stop myself from crying. When the music gets intense, along with my voice, I feel Ashton come closer to me and put his hand on my thigh. I tremble under the contact but I don't want him to take his hand away.

I slowly glance at him and see him looking into my eyes. I feel his hand on my cheek and start to get nervous about what he's going to do next. He moves in closer and closer, close enough for me to smell his amazing cologne. Finally I feel him on my lips.

I look at him to see his eyes closed and feel his lips move in sync with mine. I let myself relax under his touch and close my eyes. I hear the music end, but I am ecstatic that the kiss is continuing. He feels warm and comforting, like I'm safe in his arms. He pulls away slowly, but I keep my eyes closed.

"I'm sorry." He says. I open my eyes to see him get up at walk to the window.

"Wait, Ashton!" I say, standing up. But by the time I'm up and fully aware of what happened, he's gone. I take out my phone and call him, but he doesn't answer. Finally after my fourth call, I've lost all sense of sanity and leave him a ranting voicemail, telling him things I shouldn't through my sobs.