You Make The Pain Fade Away

Chapter Thirty-Three

John's POV

New York.

There's something about this city that urges me to abscond back to where I lived.

The buildings, the traffic, the subways, the loud noise pollution, and everything about it.

Ashley had this huge smile on her face. She, on the other hand, was glad to be here. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be here too, with her.

It was taking ages to get to her parents’ house. I looked around, trying to see if I could catch a sight of a tree at least.

Nothing.

Only cars and people.

Well, I'm going to have to get used to it, since I am planning to live here. Colombia University is my designated school for football. I'm still vaguely surprised that I'm able to afford such college as that. Luckily with my Varsity football scholarship, I'm able to pay off the rest with the money I've been saving for years and the check my mother had unknowingly given to me. This time I'm ready for anything. When I had first graduated from school, I wanted to go to college. I use to think college was my escape. But then I had realized I couldn't leave when my mother was in bad state of depression. I couldn't leave when my mother couldn't handle the store by herself, she couldn't handle the kids, and she wasn't capable taking care of herself. My mother is no longer my priority, yet I still dearly care. I'm in a foreign city, which is completely different from the one I'm accustomed to. Fortunately, I have Ashley, and that's all that matters.

"We're here," Ashley announced with a small smile. Her eyes seem distant, though, and she avoided my gaze. The chauffeur opened the door for her and she stepped out, I trailing behind. Her chauffeur quickly went to help her get her stuff down from the trunk. I was a little aggravated, with that. I am not disabled; I definitely don't need help with my shit. After getting down our luggage, we entered the building. Another guy leaped forward to help Ashley.

"Ms. Hart?" the guy stammered, grabbing ahold of her luggage. 

"Hey Jason," she smiled. "Did you miss me?"

The guy seemed to be lost for words and I hated how he was staring at her as if she was naked. I cleared my throat and stupid Jason blinked a few times, his eyes flickering to my blunt gaze.

"Indeed," he said, "Hello."

I nodded, but he tore his eyes away from me. He walked us to the elevator, helping with Ashley's luggage. The elevator ride seemed to take forever. Everything was luxurious, even the elevator appeared fancy.

"You're awfully quiet. What's on your mind?" Ashley asked as the elevator doors burst open. Jason stepped out, ignoring us.

"Aye, I got it from here. Thanks," I told Jason, so he'd leave us alone. He nodded and walked off.

"John?" Ashley said. "What's wrong?"

"I'm tired," I said. That wasn't a lie. I've decided that I hate airplanes and people. I couldn't sleep on the plane, because of this over-weight man who was breathing like if he had been running for an hour. I tried falling asleep on the way to Ashley's house, but I couldn't because of the lack of peacefulness. Everything is chaotic.

She dropped her stuff on the floor and placed her hands around my neck. My heart skipped a couple of beats. I let go of the things I had and I automatically wrapped my arms around her waist, tugging her closer. I rested my head on her shoulder and I closed my eyes. I took several deep breaths of her scent, soaking up that vanilla perfume.

I'm glad I'm starting off fresh here... with her. I'm going to have to claim her as mine, so nobody else gazes at her like that one fucker Jason, or any other guy. I can't lose her. I can't imagine myself without her. I've fallen hard for this girl. I really have and it's an amazing how it conquers your heart.