Teacher | Ashton Irwin

Forty Nine

It was all going well until Ashton's band came up. My dad was totally fascinated but my mom looked disgusted. I can see why; but she has never heard how good they are!

"Please tell me this silly 'band' thing is just a phase so that you can get a real job," my mom retorted.

The fire in Ashton's eyes went out. You know, the sparkle he gets when he talks about something he's passionate about. His face fell completely. It was heartbreaking to see him get shot down like that. I said, "You know what? You have treated Ashton like something you find on the bottom of your shoe. I'm not having this. You just totally shot him down when he was talking about the thing he loves most-"

My mom cut me off, "So he loves his music more than you?"

I felt the tears brimming in my eyes and the lump in my throat expand. He has never told me that he loves me. He might do and say loving things but he's never actually said the words.

I stood up and whispered, "Mom, can I talk to you outside?"

She stood up and followed me outside in silence. Once we got into the warm air I said, "What are you trying to do? Huh? Are you trying to make me believe that Ashton loves his music more than me?"

"Well does he?" She asked. She softly spoke, "Rachel, when was the last time you told him that you love him?"

"We've never told each other," I mumbled, "We've never found the perfect time."

She sighed, "Does he love you?"

"Of course he likes me," I said.

"Sweetie, you're avoiding the question. Does he truly love you?" She asked.

I whispered, "I'm not that hungry anyway." I walked in to the restaurant, my mom guiltily following. It took everything for me not to fall to my knees crying. I smiled at Ashton and whispered, "We're leaving."

He saw through my smile and stood up and whispered, "What? What's wrong?"

I ignored him and turned to my family, "See you soon." I walked off. Ashton stood there, looking lost as to what was happening. He apologised to my family before running after me.

I got into his car. He got in and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Just drive us home," i whispered.

He started the engine and pulled out of the car park. I could hold it in any longer. I let the hot tears fall down my face. He said, "Rachel, just tell me whats wrong."

"You don't love me," I whispered through the tears.

He said, "What? What are you talking about Rachel? Of course i do."

"Then why don't you say it?" I whispered.

"I do," he softly spoke, laying his hand on my bare thigh, "When you don't want to eat, I tell you to eat. I always pay for the cheque, even though I'm the one who's shorter on cash. I always ask how you are. When we have our fights, I never let you walk away; I learnt my lesson from our first fight. Darling, I may not say the exact words, but I say it by saying little things. Plus, saying it is one thing but showing it is better. Actions speak louder than words."

"You're right," I smiled, "It's my mom. She puts all these things into my head and it just bugs me."

"I know," he sighed.

*
We were cuddling in bed. My arms around his neck and his around my waist. My head was nuzzled into the crook of his neck as his chin rested on the top of my head. I whispered, "goodnight Ash."

"Goodnight princess," he breathed, "I love you."

The smile that was plastered onto my face was bright. Hearing him say that melted my heart. It was passed warming my heart, it melted it. I kissed his bare chest and whispered, "I love you too."