Long Way Home

Chapter 15

"Out!" The worker screamed. "Out of my restaurant!"

I laughed, pulling Calum up, grabbing Michael who was holding onto Luke and yanking them out the door.

"Guys...that was the 2nd breakfast place today!" I groaned. "Stop throwing food!"

"I'm punk rock" Michael stated, narrowing his eyes and trying to look punk. "I do what I want."

"Yeah yeah. Say what you want." I roll my eyes.

"No your not." Calum spat. "Let's just go to the freaking buffet at the hotel."

"Someone is on their man period!"

"Like you have any room to talk."

"At least I apologized to him before he left!"

"I did!" Calum's eyes suddenly filled with tears. "You know that!"

Apologize? What were they talking about?

"What do you mean-" I begun to say.

"Nothing!" They yelped.

Sighing, I shoved my hands into my pockets, walking faster then them.

"Good job. Now you've made all the Irwin's angry."

"Stop it Michael." Luke breathed. "Just stop."

It was silent after that, and I could feel my pulse racing, my eyes wet as I began to run.

"Avery!" Luke shouted. "Avery wait!"

"What?" I sighed, slightly slowing my pace down.

"You know, they weren't trying to be mean..." He explained. "We're all tired and now they're buying you flowers."

I blushed, slowing to a walking pace. "they really don't have to..."

Luke smiled. "I told them too. Because I thought they should..."

I rolled my eyes. "Now you sound like-" I cut myself off swallowing hard and looking away, wiping furiously at my eyes.

"It's okay to cry." Luke said, patting my shoulder.

I made a weird strangled sound in the back of my throat,

A memory of Ashton come rushing back.

*

"Ashton?" I whispered, pounding on the bathroom door.

"Go away!" Ashton cried. "Leave me alone."

"Ash." I whimpered. "Don't do this to me again.."

"I'm sorry."

"You promised if I didn't you wouldn't...you promised!" I cried, pounding on the door with both hands in desperation now. "Let me in! This isn't fair."

The door suddenly slightly swung open, and I was pulled in.

Ashton looked at me with red eyes. "I have my practice soon...this is my last time I promise and please don't tell." He wailed.

He sounded so broken, just as I felt.

Tears ran down his cheeks, and now I was crying.

As he saw me looking at him, he blushed and wiped away his tears.

I gave him a fake, weak smile. "As a wise brother once told me..."

"It's okay to cry." We both whispered.

*

"Avery?" Luke whispered, "what's wrong?"

I leaned my head on his shoulder, suddenly stopping.

I close my eyes, letting the warm breeze brush over my skin.

"I just miss him so much."

"Me too."