Good Girl // a. i.

Part 17: Pizza

Ashton's pov

"Ashton put the phone down! Are you even listening to me?" Calum scolded me. I kept waiting for a buzz or ding. I waited for her name to pop up on my screen, but it never did.

"She hasn't talked to me today."

"Oh, maybe something came up?" He shrugged, not very concerned, but I was concerned. Something could have happened. What if the text messages stop? What if I never heard her voice again? I had forgiven her a long time ago. I never replied because I didn't know what to say. What would we talk about after I tell her I forgive her? It wouldn't go back to normal. It never could. She could be a completely differnt person now and there was nothing I could do about it. But before I left, she told me she would still be there when I got back. That was all I needed. So, impulsively, I "borrowed" the record company's car and shoved a complaining Michael in before me. I knew exactly where she would be.

"Shut up, I'll buy you pizza when we get there!"

"So where are we going then?!" he threw his hands up in frustration. I rolled my eyes and looked at my phone again, but it was blank.

Thankfully, the soup kitchen was serving pizza that day so when we got there, Michael smelled it and he was unstoppable. He went in before me and I lingered in the back, gathering up the courage to talk to her. I saw her handing out slices with a smile, but that smile was not genuine. I could tell. She looked tired, with dark circles under eyes.

I took a deep breathe and took one step when Steven, the owner, came up to her. I stayed back and listened in.

"Emma can I speak to you for a minute?"

She nodded and stopped working to looking up at him.

"I'm really glad you signed up to volunteer abroad. You got the last spot on the trip to Africa." Her eyes grew wide with excitment and her smile seemed a little more genuine than before.

"No way!"

"Yeah, you leave in a week, on Monday. It's going to be an amazing 3 months. I'm really happy for you." he patted her on the shoulder before leaving her. She stayed still for a few seconds, smiling to herself.

The pain in my chest got stronger and stronger as she continued to smile. She was leaving, but she was finding herself.

Emma's pov

As happy as I felt, I couldn't help but feel a little selfish. I didn't know what to do. I really wanted to go on this trip. It would make me happy. It would also mean, I wouldn't be here when Ashton came back. I wouldn't be with my dad.

I turned back to open up another box of pizza but It was gone. How can I lose an entire box of pizza? I looked around and on the floor, but it was no where. I turned around and found Michael almost done with the last slice.

"Michael?"

"Hello." He smiled putting the pizza down.

"What are you doing here?" I gasped as I ran to him. He hugged me quickly.

"I'm here for the pizza. I was shoved in a car so I honestly don't know why we are here."

"Wait we?" I asked confused. My heart suddenly stopped and my stomach did flips. Michael pointed behind me. I slowly turned around, unsure if I was ready to see him standing behind me. He had his hands akwardly in his pockets and he looked as terrified as I felt.

"Irwin?"

"You didn't call or text and I was worried. I thought something was wrong."

"I didn't think you would care." I replied honestly.

"Of course I did. Why would you think that?"

"It was easy to tell you cared from all those times you replied." I responded sarcastically.

"I forgive you. I forgve you a long time ago. I just didn't know how to go back to how things were before. I didn't think it was possible." He said taking another step towards me.

"I think we can do it." I shrugged. I loved him.

"It can't."

I felt as if my heart was slowly and painfully dying. It was all I could feel. I felt emptier and emptier.

"Why not?" I asked.

"You're leaving for Africa next week. You promised me you would be here when I got back."

"I can stay. I only signed up because you never replied. You never showed me you wanted me to be here when you returned. I'll stay." I took a step towards him. We were slowly getting closer and closer, but it didn't feel that way. I felt so far away.

"You can't stay though."

"why not?" I asked confused.

"Because I can't let you wait for me like this. I'm holding you back."

Ashton's pov

It broke my heart knowing she would stay. I wanted to let her. I wanted her to be here when I got back because now that the band was big, I didn't know hoow much time I would have left here. I couldn't do that though. I had to let her go.

"You won't be."

"Em...Just go." I didn't want argue with her and I didn't want it to seem like I didn't want her. I wanted her to stay, but I knew I wouldn't let her find herself if I did.

"Irwin..."

"Mikey let's go." I said quickly before turning around.

I would die if Ashton came back for me. Anyways, don't worry I'll try to update soon. I hope you guys like it so far. Don't hesitate to comment and vote to let me know you do. Love you guys!