Make believe

Chapter 24

Ashton hesitantly took a step forward, then backwards again, his shoes scuffing against the chipped wood of the porch. The light of the day had since been sucked away and replaced by a grey, windy darkness of a night. His dark eyes wandered the hallways, falling on the family pictures which lined the walls. He rubbed the back of his neck, awkwardly.

"I-I uh, just need to ask Laraine something." He glanced between me and my mother, probably noticing the tension from the previous fight just moments before. "I'm not planning on staying."

"Nonsense! Come in! Come in! You're welcome." She sang as she walked from the door, her tone drenched heavy with bitter sarcasm. Ashton didn't seem to notice, or if he did, decided to look over it. My head still ached from the argument of earlier and I rubbed my temples, attempting to sooth myself. He closed the door behind him and shoved his hands in his pockets, walking towards me. I stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, an eyebrow perked with curiosity.

"What's up?"

He stood tall in front of me, his hair slightly messed up from the harsh winds of the late evening. His long fingers reached in to his pocket, and when they retracted, they held a small, dainty silver necklace that caught the light as it swayed.

"This was left at the apartment a few days ago, Luke just found it this morning. We figured it was yours?"

I recognized the shimmering qualities of the metal and the graceful curves of its charms, but not to be mine. "Actually, that's Aubree's. That clasp has been broken for ages." I rolled my eyes. "Thanks so much for bringing it by. I'll take it to her tomorrow." I held out my hand and felt the cold of the metal flat against my palm. I brought the chain to the pocket of my jeans and pushed it far down, making sure it wouldn't fall out.

"Laraine, come in here." My mothers voice rang through the hallways, creating a sort of echo which bounced off the walls. I gave Ashton a warning look and gestured for him to stay a moment as I cautiously ventured to the kitchen.

"Yes?" Ashton stood in the safety of the hall, listening. Her voice softened when she saw Ashton's absence.

"You made the boy leave? So soon?"

"I-"

"He could've stayed a little while longer...I'm sorry I came off so harsh and short-tempered earlier. It's just..."

She took a deep breath and took her hair down from its bun, letting it cascade to her shoulders and frame her face. She ran her painted fingers through her hair then made eye-contact with me.

"It's just this whole 'Guyana' thing that's gotten me so on edge. I don't know what we'll do for six months with out your father. And you? Hanging out with that new group of friends of yours? I just..."

I was suddenly extremely aware of Ashton just a step away from me, silently listening, probably uncomfortably. I silently wished my mother wouldn't say anything offending or rude about the boys whom she'd never met before. Well, other than Ashton, but that in the hallway was barley an introduction.

"I just don't know how comfortable I am with you running off everyday with a group of teenage boys whom Iv never met before..."

I began to protest, when suddenly, I saw her point. I understood. I didn't exactly agree-they were amazingly nice and I was completely fine, and safe, hanging out with them, but all the same, I saw her point. She was a mother and I was her daughter, and somewhere underneath all the eye rolls and hypocritical comments of teenagers, she cared.

"Okay." I answered simply.

She seemed taken aback by my lack of argument. "I understand, but mom, honestly, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I-" pausing, I thought of Luke. "I'm not even attracted to any of them. No romantic relationships will come of them."

She stated silent for a moment, then said, "your father will be relieved to hear that." A small smile broke across her face and I smiled back. I suddenly remembered Ashton just a foot away, and wondered what my mother would say if she'd found out he'd heard that whole conversation. It was silly; he could've just walked in to the kitchen with me, but instead, unknowingly misled my mother into thinking he was already gone.

I bid my mother goodnight and stepped out into the hallway. I didn't exactly know what to expect from Ashton; I didn't know how he'd react to my mothers attitude towards him and the boys, but I definitely didn't expect him to he smiling. Smiling widely. His dark eyes gleamed in the dim light of the hallway and those dimples protruded from his cheeks as he grinned widely.

"What?" I whispered.

He shook his head, laughing breathily. "Your parents are so protective of you."

I rolled my eyes.

"I mean SO protective of you. They act like we're a gang of thugs." I suppressed a laugh at the thought of the boys dressed as thugs. They couldn't be hardcore even if they tried.

"That would be a sight to see." He commented smugly. I rolled my eyes once again and shook my head.

"Okay."

He smiled. "You'd love to see me all pimped out."

I made a face, which caused him to burst into laughter. I leaped forward to place my hand over his mouth, silencing his laugh.

"Keep quiet." I hushed. Above my hand, his eyes gleamed with laughter. He took my hand away from his mouth and spoke softly.

"Oh, you'd love to see my tan, beautiful skin laced with dark art coming together to make a brilliant masterpiece." I rolled my eyes. "And my hair spiked up like Luke's...maybe colored even?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you done?" I asked. He paused.

"I guess."

I listened for warning signs of my mother, but found none. I glanced up the stairwell and knew that once I climbed them, I'd be in for a night full of reading, loneliness and quite possibly, nightmares.

"Wanna come up an hang out?"

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Sorry for the extremely short update! It seems like every other chapter, I'm saying that I'll try to update more often and I never do, SORRY!

Oh and thanks so much for the 2000 reads, that's alot! Considering my books average at best... But I'm happy so thanks:)