Chapter 1.

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Ash was sure someone was following her. She kept spinning on her heel, expecting more and more to see something jump out at her, but nothing happened. Her wary eyes scanned the area behind her once more, but nothing came to sight. 

Finally, Ash convinced herself it was nothing and turned back around to trudge further on the snowy sidewalk, her guitar case bumping against her legs. Ash winced as she saw her breath rise up in puffs of cold mist. It had grown colder tonight. Shivering, she blew into her hands and rubbed them together, hoping to gain some warmth. Ash didn't know why she was so cold all of a sudden, she should be used to the cold by now. Having come to the same place ever night for practically years, Ash had expected to be immune to anything and everything. 

Especially since life hasn't been as easy as it was before.  

Ash sighed to herself, pushing all thoughts of the past to the back of her head. Slowly, she took her guitar from it's case, and propped it up against the building she stood next to. She opened the case wider and dragged it in front of her, making sure that no leftover change was left inside of it. 

Finally content, Ash reached for her guitar and started to play. Immediately, a familiar tune came to mind and she smiled triumphantly. 

"Scratchin' at the surface now," She sang, closing her eyes. "And I'm tryin' hard, to work it out. And so much has gone misunderstood, and this mystery only leads to doubt."

"And I didn't understand, when you reached out to take my hand," Ash's eyes snapped open as she heard change being carelessly tossed into her case. "And if you have somethin' to say, you better say it now!

" 'Cause this is wait you've waited for! Your chance to even up the score! And as these shadows fall, on me now I will somehow. Yeah! And I'm pickin' up a message Lord, and I'm closer then I've ever been before!" She sang, strumming the guitar harder and tapping along with her foot. A memory came to mind, one of when she was very little. Her mother tossing her into the air, giggling and smiling. Ash struggled to hold back the tears and kept going.

"So if you have somethin' to say! Say it to me now, say it to me now, now." She croaked finally, letting her hand fall down to her side. Biting her lip, Ash looked up at the empty road and watched as snow gently fell onto it.  

As Ash reached up to play another song, a voice called from behind her, making her head snap up in surprise.

"Hello sweetheart, remember me?"  

His deep scratchy voice seemed to bellow over the silence of the night. Her breath hitching in her throat, Ash spun around to see him. It was the boy she had seen before. Swept brown hair, sweet chocolate brown eyes, even in just the streetlight Ash knew it was him. 

Ash watched him carefully, her shoulders shaking as he drew closer to her. She stood frozen, unable to move as she forced herself to back up against the wall. 

 "W-Wait," She croaked finally as the boy drew so close, she could see the mist of his breath. He drew his hands out of his pockets and held them into the air, an innocent smile curling on his lips. 

"I won't hurt you, I promise," Liam said, glancing around him for a moment before turning back to Ash. "Can I ask your name, love?" He asked gently, putting his hands back into his pockets. Ash swallowed thickly, pressing herself flatter against the wall. 

"Ash," She said slowly, her bright green eyes twinkling as Liam smiled at her. "Ash Jameson."

"You have a beautiful name, Ash." Liam grinned, liking the feeling of the words rolling off his tongue. "I'm Liam, nice to meet you, love." He said, thrusting his hand towards her. Ash stared at his hand, slowly reaching out to touch it lightly. 

"Pleasure," She giggled. Suddenly, Ash's teeth started to chatter, and she smiled at the sound of it. Her cheeks turned a pinkish tint as Liam chuckled to himself. 

"Your teeth are chattering!" Liam stated, a sweet smile growing on his lips, crinkling his eyes at the corners. Ash snickered and nodded her head slowly. When she didn't reply, Liam gave her another small smile before it faded from his face completely. "You're good. Real good." 

"T-Thank you," She whispered.  

Liam nodded in her direction before dropping another twenty pounds into the case. Ash dragged her eyes down to stare at it for a moment, trying to stop herself from shaking.

 A long awkward silence filled the air, as the two just stared at each other, waiting to see what the other would do first. Finally Liam broke the silence, stepping forward slightly.

"Please come with me, you're hurt so badly, look at you!" Liam gushed, staring at her. God, she was beautiful. He couldn't stop staring at those startling, nervous green eyes. Her curly red hair, she was so perfect, Liam barely had the words to describe her. But as the words spurted from his mouth, he couldn't help but feel a sense of regret as Ash shook her head rapidly. 

"No," She gasped, fear suddenly washing over her. Liam reached out to stop her from running but she flinched away from his touch.  After all, she barely knew him. But curiousty got the best of her. "...Why?"

"You're lonely and cold, and I don't even know who you are but you're just here by yourself, and god-" Liam sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. A small smile played at the edge of Ash's lips, her eyes shining brightly as she watched Liam's antics. This was over her.

"Please, can we just go somewhere? Because I don't know about you, but I'm pretty freaking cold," Liam pleaded, chuckling a bit.  

"I like cold, I'm used to it," Ash stated, not moving. But almost as if on cue, a cold blast of air hit her, sending small snowflakes into her eyelashes and eyebrows. Ash knew what she had just said was a terrible lie, but she couldn't help herself. Lying was a way of protecting herself, it had almost become natural to her.

"Please?" Liam sighed desperately.  He was not going to be giving up anytime soon.

She shook her head, letting her red hair fall in front of her shoulders, not daring to budge. Finally, Liam walked up to her and grabbed her shoulders, making her wince immediately. His eyes softened. 

"Are you hurt?" He gasped, staring at the bruises that ran up her arms. 

"No," She replied straight away, biting her lip to prevent from hissing as Liam brushed his fingers over her skin. 

"You're so small," Liam whispered, his eyes scanning over her frail body. Ash stood still, her shoulders shaking. What does this strange man want to do with her? What if he was secretly a serial killer? Chills ran up Ash's spine as she thought about it. "You're so small and skinny, and oh my god- you are hurt!" Liam shouted as her coat slipped from her shoulders, revealing bruises, cuts and scratches decorating her neck and arms. Liam's hands shook as he gently brought the coat back over her shoulder.

"Right, come on," Liam said, grabbing Ash's hand and leading her away from the spot.

"W-Wait!" She croaked, slipping away from him a moment. Liam stared back at her, his arm still outstretched. Ash's frightened eyes darted from him and down to her guitar over and over again. Slowly, she put her guitar in her case and took Liam's hand, careful not to show him she was trembling. 

"Come on, get in love, it's alright now." Liam whispered as he slowly sat Ash down in the car, rubbing his fingers over the palms of her hands. "Don't worry, alright?" Ash nodded slowly and let Liam slam the car door shut after he placed the guitar case next to her.

She pressed her forehead against the cool glass, wondering if this was such a good idea after all.

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