Te Odio

9~Moving Along

Scared of moving on, but you're already gone

Ashton looked in his bathroom mirror and sighed. He just can’t get this damn tie straight. He lifted his hands up to try and straighten it but soon gave up.

“Ash, you nearly done in there? I need to get some Panadol.” Calum called from outside the bathroom.

“Yeah,” Ashton called, internally cringing at how his voice cracked and wavered.

Calum slowly opened the door, walking in with a matching black tuxedo as Ashton.

“You look great,” Calum commented.

“So do you,” Ashton replied.

Calum smiled and straightened Ashton’s tie before fluffing up his hair gently. Ashton smiled gently in return and kissed Calum softly.

“You’re going to do great today.” Calum smiled, referring to the eulogy Ashton had to give at Michael’s funeral.

“Thanks,” Ashton whispered.

“You got your script?”

Ashton patted his chest pocket and smiled gently.

Calum kissed the top of Ashton’s head before reaching up into the cupboard and grabbing some Panadol and a small packet of tissues which he slipped into his pocket.

“Ready to go?” Anne asked, poking her head in the door.

Ashton nodded and stepped out of the bathroom, Calum following close behind.

Before long, they had all arrived at the church. Karen and Daryl quickly hobbled over to hug the Hood and Irwin family. Joy, David and Mali had all met them there.

A group of unknown people wandered up to Karen, muttering ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ and whatnot.

Ashton tried his best to keep a straight back and hold back his tears but Calum could tell he was struggling. Maybe when the funeral began, he’d cry and be able to relax a little. No one would blame him or be mad. After all, it was natural and the incident only happened weeks prior and Ashton had seen it all happen.

“Please take your seats, the memorial will begin shortly.” A voice spoke over the speakers.

Ashton subtly wiped a tear from his eye as he took a seat in the front, next to Michael’s parents. Calum took a seat next to him whilst his parents sat behind. He gently took Ashton’s hand in his and rubbed it slowly.

The beginning of the ceremony seemed to drag on and on. Ashton couldn’t even hear half of what the Priest was saying, since he hadn’t stopped crying since the funeral started. It had finally sunk in that he was really gone. He’d never hear his voice or his laugh again. He’d never feel his warm embrace again. He’d never hear him play guitar again. He’d never feel his thumbs wipe away his tears again. He’d never be with him again.

“And now we have a close friend of Michael Clifford to read a eulogy. Ashton Irwin, please take the stand.”

Ashton shakily stood up, wiping his eyes before wiping his hands on his pants. He walked up to the stand, gently running his hand along the casket, smiling sadly. He stood behind the stand and adjusted his microphone before taking out his script and unfolding it.

“Hi everyone,” Ashton said, clearing his throat, “I’m Ashton and I was Michael’s boyfriend for seven months. Michael was, and will still remain in our hearts one of the greatest men I’ve ever met.”

Ashton looked over at Calum, who was smiling sadly, yet reassuringly.

“We got off to a shaky start as we didn’t like each other for the first years of schooling but when he saved me from drowning, I fell in love. Not only with him, but his skill of making pizza.”