Close As Strangers

1.5

Only 6 more days until Friday. I had enough money to go. My plan? I was basically planning on just telling my mom that I was staying at Jazzy's for the weekend. The boys had a concert that Saturday. I would leave on Friday night, and be back on Sunday. I didn't have tickets, but I am pretty sure Luke's management knows me by now. Do they like me? No. But they were not holding me back from seeing my boyfriend.

But what if Luke didn't want to see me? Every time I tried to call he'd never answer. And of course he never calls me. I know he's busy with touring, but not even a text once in a blue moon? Ashton texted me every now and then. Asking about Mom and Dad. It was a little weird that they were back together, but I was glad they talked everything out.

I went to my room, packing, and unpacking my bag over and over again, hiding it under my bed. Was I really going to do this? Was I really about to lie to my mom and tell her I was going to my best friend's house, but in reality I'm going to New York?

"Arden?" My mom asked knocking on my door frame. I turned aound fast, my mom's eyes widened. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing Mom. Just looking at what I'm going to wear for my birthday." I lied.

"Oh yeah, your birthday!" My mom said excitedly, clapping her hands. "Your father and I wanted to take you on a surprise this Friday night!"

"This Friday?" I whined.

"Yes, this Friday." I looked at her with sadness. "You will love it, I promise."

"Thanks mom." I smiled through my pain. Why this Friday? Why not next Friday? Or any Friday after that. My birthday wasn't for another 2 weeks, the day after I graduate.

"You okay sweetheart?" She asked, walking over to me. She put her hand on my head, stroking my hair.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied. "I just miss Luke. This is my first birthday he's missing in 4 years."

"I'm sorry." She said quietly. "Don't worry, your surprise on Friday will make you not miss him." She said, getting off of her knees and walking out of my room.

Fuck. What am I going to do? Should I tell my mom I'm actually going to New York? Or do I just wait 61 more days to see Luke? I didn't want to do that. That's too much, not being able to see Luke sucked ass and I didn't want that anymore. I didn't like this heart ache that I felt everyday. Not being able to see him was the worst feeling. A feeling, I don't think is healthy. But I didn't want to break up with him. He was my person. And I can't even imagine a world without him.

I called up Ashton, waiting as the phone rang.

"Hello?" Ash asked.

"Hey Ash." I sighed, looking around my room.

"What's up? You sound upset."

"Just a little." I admitted. "I planned on coming to New York, don't tell anybody."

"We can't wait to see you!" Ashton screamed before I got to finish.

"But." I said sternly. "Mom and Dad are taking me somewhere and now I can't."

"Oh. Kid sister I'm sorry."

"Yeah, but I've been upset about Luke too."

"Why? Did he do something?"

"No, nothing bad." Little did Ashton know that one of his best friends got his sister pregnant. "It's just we haven't talked in a while, and-" I stopped myself choking on my last words.

"And what?" Ash asked, waiting for my response.

"And." I began, sighing. "I feel like he and I are talking on this broken line. I haven't seen his face in ages, and it feels like we're as close as-." I cringed as I said those words.

Ash gasped, suddenly sounding excited.

"That's it!" He yelled. "Gotta go, bye Arden!"

I looked down at my phone as the red button flashed. What the hell?

-

Sorry for such a short chapter... I think there's only like 3-5 chapters left :(