Always

Chapter 21

Chapter 21
Ashton's pov
It was now dark and we were all sitting around the fire roasting marshmallows. "Emma, it's been so long since we've gotten to talk to you! Do you know what you would like to do after high school?" I looked at Emma and she just smiled at my mom's question.
I dont know why everybody is asking this question. We are only juniors. How am I supposed to know what I want to do with the rest of my life when I'm only sixteen???

Emma didn't seem to have the same perspective as I did on the subject. She always knew what she wanted to do since we were kids. Of course things could change, an opportunity could come up changing her plans.... But still, I don't know how she knows what she would want to do for the rest of her life.

"I would still really like to be a photographer and travel." She replied to my mom's question. "thats a wonderful plan! I really hope that all works out!" My encourages kindly. "Wish Ashton had a plan." My dad sighs, almost with disappoint laced throughout his voice. I scoff and roll my eyes.

My dad is and amazing dad. But when it comes to what I want to do with my life, he wants it all figured out now. Whenever we get on this topic he seems so disappointed and angry with me.

"actually dad, I'm thinking about going to NYU and becoming a writer." I say without fully thinking through what I had just said.

Ok so... I really like to write. Its a HUGE secret that literally nobody knows about or would expect from me. Thats why I've kept it a secret. But just the idea that I could take someone to a whole different place, with some words on a page, blows me away.

I haven't even told Emma about it, only because I'm super embarrassed by it. So I'm not surprised when I look over at her and her eyes look like they could pop out of her head at any second.

My parents are pretty shocked too. "what? Thats amazing darling!" My mom says with a smile on her face. My dad on the other hand.... "you cant be serious." He states. Not questions. States. See and this is why I didn't tell anyone. I keep quiet, knowing if I say anything it'll only make my dad angrier.
" I dont understand, why out of all the things you can do with your life, you choose to be some measly writer?" Ok ow. He's never even read any of my stuff. No one has. "ya know dad, if you weren't so judgmental and selfish, you might actually know that I'm actually not half bad." I say raising my voice slightly. " if you were any good, you wouldn't have been a coward and you would've showed us your work." He spits. "whatever." I scoff and walk out of their sight.

Emma's pov
"whatever" Ashton scoffs and walks off. Out of all the time I've known this family. I've never seen Ashton and his dad like this. I could see how hurt Ash was by his dad's doubt and disappointment and it broke my heart. I had never know he wanted to be a writer. Or that he even writes. I don't doubt him though. He has a way with words and I know he will do amazing.

After about five minutes of awkward silence, I decide to get up and bring Ashton a toasted marshmallow to pep him up. "im gonna go find him." I say and go to find Ashton stand close to the water. I could only see his silhouette and the light from the moon bouncing of the water.

"you ok?" I ask. How pathetic 'you ok' what kind of sympathy is that? He doesn't look at me, he just stays with his eyes focused on the water. "you know, I've always tried to make him proud, but I always fall short of what he wants. If he could just see how much I try..." he sighs and looks up and then over at me. "Ash, you know he's proud. How could he not be? You're smart, you funny, you're kind, you're generous, you're hardworking and you of course can't forget those good looks." I finish with a slight laugh at how I just ended that.

Ashton just looks at me dead in the eyes and I feel like I'm in some kind of trance. He then lifts his hand and softly lays it on my cheek. I immediately stop breathing. From shock? Maybe. I'm just looking into his eyes and it feels like time has stopped.

He then moves his thumb back and forth in a comforting way. "you had marshmallow on your face." He says with a smirk. I blush. How could I have been so stupid. "speaking of marshmallows..." I stick out my hand and give him the one I had brought to "cheer" him up. He takes it and his hand brushes against mine causing my whole freaking arm to feel like its on fire.

"thank you." He says seriously. "for?" I ask. "saying all that stuff. It really means a lot." "of course. Why didn't you tell me about your writing though?" "well...i felt really embarrassed about it and I thought you'd think it was stupid or something." "what? Ashton. You know I would've supported you with it. Id never think something you were passionate about is stupid." "i know, I was just overthinking it. I'm really sorry." "its ok. Can I read one soon?" I ask, hoping he'd say yes. "of course you can." He says pulling me into a hug.

Word count: 960:/
Soooo short chapter. Kinda pointless but I feel like you got to know Ashton a bit better.
Hope you like it!
I've entered Wattys19 so if you could vote and comment that would be soooo amazing and I would appreciate it so much!
Thank you all!
Bay-💙