My Heart Chose You // h.s. a.i.

Chapter 12

"What?" I shake my head over and over, taking a step back from the both of them. My eyes flash between the two silent boys, looking for answers.

"Please tell me this isn't true." I choke out.

"Quincy--" Ashton starts.

"I saw it with my own two eyes." Harry interjects.

I shake my head again. My brain seems to freeze, unable to process anything.

"You didn't see shit." Ashton spits.

"I walked in on you! You wouldn't have stopped if it hadn't been for me-- don't even try to deny it."

"I--I can't believe this." I whisper.

Harry continues to speak and all I can do is stare at Ashton. He meets my gaze with pleading eyes. A series of emotions run through me: disbelief, shock, repulsion, confusion and then finally, anger.

My eyes narrow in accusation. He takes a step towards me and I match it with another step backwards. "Please, just let me explain--"

My eyebrows furrow. "Explain what?" I demand. "Harry claims to have seen you-- what am I just supposed to believe that he'd make something like this up?"

He shakes his head. "No, just listen to my side of the story--"

"No."

"Quincy, please."

"You're a rapist, Ashton." I scowl at him in disgust. "No wonder Harry hates you!"

Ashton freezes, staring at me as if I'd slapped him across the face. Hurt fills his eyes and he looks down at the ground. I start to feel slightly guilty but immediately block out the emotion. He doesn't deserve my pity.

And to think I was actually considering going out with this guy...

"I should go." He finally says.

Harry speaks up. "Yeah, you should."

He looks as if he's about to say something else and I shake my head. "Goodbye Ashton."

He nods and runs a hand through his hair. Then he turns, walking slowly to his car. Moments later the engine is started and he pulls away, leaving us.

A thought occurs to me after he's gone and I cover my mouth in shock. I glance at Gemma and shake my head, realizing that I'd had her in the same car as her sexual assaulter. Some friend I am.

"What is it?" Harry asks softly.

My eyes start to get watery and I stare down at the ground. "I feel so terrible. I didn't know... She was in the same car as him. I--"

Harry shakes his head. "It's my fault, I should've told you. I just wanted to wait till the right time; I didn't want to break the news like that."

I put my face in my hands. "I just can't believe all of this. I feel so awful." I say again.

Harry reaches out and gently pulls on my wrists. I lower my hands and he gives me a small smile. "It's a lot to take in-- I know. I'm just grateful the two of you are safe."

I nod and he turns to Gemma with a sigh. "I gotta get her inside."

He leans down and throws one of her arms around his shoulders, then he picks her up from beneath her legs as if she were a small child. She sighs in her sleep and cuddles into his chest. She looks so young and innocent this way. It kills me to think that she'd gone through something so traumatic.

Harry walks into the house and disappears down a hallway. When he comes back several minutes later, his shirt is in his hand and he's wearing nothing but his boxers. I avert my eyes immediately as my face erupts into a flaming red.