How it started™ | Ashton Irwin Fanfic

Chapter 22

*SELF HARM*

I kept my old blades in an empty toothpaste box, hidden from prying eyes in the cupboard under the sink in the bathroom. In the box were also a couple pills and Band-Aids.

I emptied the box onto the granite vanity. I hadn't seen this sight in almost three years. Maybe I shouldn't do this.

Nevertheless, I fingered a blade, picking it up and gripping the sides. I slid the blunt side up and down my arm smiling at how nice the cold metal felt. Then I turned it over.

I dented my arm three times at the side of my wrist, in between two of my old scars that were almost faded. Blood spilled out of the arms as I winced in pain but smiled. This is what Rhys wants. That's what made me go deeper.

A few cuts later, I swallowed three pills, hoping it would knock me out for the night. It did make me dizzy and I slipped into the bathtub. I fell asleep there. Hoping I wouldn't wake up.

# Ashton POV #

I walked to Cliff's house in the snow after the guys and I had finished homework. Cliff had invited me over in school and said to come over about 5pm. It was 5:15.

I approached mansion a few minutes later and pressed a button on the buzzer that would let me in.

"Hello?" A voice said. It sounded like Morgan but it could have been Simon.

"Hi, it's Ashton. Cliff said I could come over." I said shivering.

"Oh, hey Ashton. I'll let you in." There was a quick buzz on the gate and I pushed it open.

"Thanks." I said as I shut the gate and continued up the pathway, covered by the poplar and acacia trees.

I finally got to the front door and rang the ball. Morgan answered.

"Hey Ash. I think Cliff's in her room." He smiled. I grinned back and wiped my feet on the door may before entering the house, removing my boots and climbing the stairs.

I stopped at Cliff's door and knocked.

"Cass? You in here?" I opened the door ajar and peered in the room. I opened the door more and it revealed an empty room. I stepped inside.

"Cliff?" I said again. I noticed that the bathroom light was on so I figured she was she was in there. I knocked on the door with no answer again. I got worried then but told myself she was somewhere else in the house. Nevertheless, I opened the door to the bathroom. She was in here alright.

Cassandra was passed out in the bathtub bleeding from her wrists. I gasped and my eyes watered. I eyed razor blades and pills by the sink. No... She wouldn't...

"Cliff?" I shook her body. It was lifeless. I rushed out of the bathroom and ran down to the studio. Sure enough, Simon and another guy were in there.

"Mr. Cowell, come quick, Cassandra, she's.. " I yelled.

"What Ashton?!"

"C'mon!" I sprinted up to Cliff's bathroom with Simon and the over guy on my heels. They looked nauseous at the sight on Cliff.

"Cole, call 911. get an ambulance quick." Simon lifted Cliff out of the bath and lay her on her bed. He cleaned her wrists with a cloth and checked her breathing and pulse. Soon enough, there were five paramedics crowded in the bedroom lifting Cliff onto a stretcher and carrying her downstairs into an ambulance. Simon stayed with her in the ambulance. Morgan was told to stay in the house with Simon's daughters and Cole, who I found to be Cliff's eldest brother, and I crammed ourselves into his car and followed the ambulance to the hospital.