Momentary Bliss | Dark A.I|

Chapter 5

The days flowed into weeks, and weeks into months. Ashton and I slowly started to become closer and closer. Even though it took him a little time, I could finally say with confidence I had trusted him. Ashton was a busy man, his band really was popular (at first I thought he was making it up, but no, he actually was a popular musician) but somehow someway he always carved out time for me. 

I had yet to meet the other members of his band, though sometimes if I stayed up late enough I could hear them talking downstairs. They talked about all kinds of things from band business, to everyday issues, even sometimes a little gossip was thrown in. Micheal was the loudest he was what woke me up most nights, his excited voice cutting through the quiet nights. It was peaceful and happy, life before had been so unpredictable and crazy, but now I felt stable.

 Every weekend Ashton took me out for ice cream, it was a nice way to destress after a long week. I had started school almost right away so the weekends were one of the only bits of free time that we had to spend together. This Saturday was no different. 

We made our way into the local parlor, he was telling me another one of his teen stories and which had me giggling all the way through the door. We both ordered our usuals. His, a plain chocolate double scoop and me, a full hot fudge sundae with all the fixins of course. We made our way to the booth. We had chosen one near the back, plenty of space and not as many patrons. 

" So squirt'' he began popping a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth "how are you adjusting to school?". I thought about it for a moment. In all honesty school had been good, I was making friends and learning so many cool things. Things Auntie had never taught me. 

"It's good Mrs.Sanders is teaching us about flowers and we got to watch a cool Bill Nye video. He's funny, I wish Mrs.Sanders was that funny." I looked up at him over my sundae "I've also made a new friend". He smiled gently at me " New friend, come on kid spill the beans what's their name...". 

This is what I liked about Ashton, he was always so calm. Calm yet invested like what I was saying was the most interesting thing in the world. "Connor" I began "Their name is Connor, he's eleven. At first I thought they were mean but really they're just shy. They showed me their iPod, it was pretty awesome." 

I think I liked Connor. You know, like liked Connor but I didn't wanna tell Ashton yet just in case things didn't work out. "Connor?" he said skeptically, "Connor... that's a weird name for a girl." I giggled looking over at him with a smile "no silly Connors a boy." 

His cheeks began to turn a slight pink "oh a boy, you're friends with a boy." I could tell he was getting nervous when he was nervous he started talking fast "no yeah that fine, boys are cool I mean not the cootie part but still cool. Yeah that's fine totally fine." He rambled at the speed of light " fine fine fine totally fine." This was another thing I liked about Ashton, he was easy to read. I always knew what he was thinking and at times like this it was a lot of fun. 

"Connor" he began, seemingly a little less surprised "does this Connor have a last name?". "Connor Moore" I said this time my cheeks heating up a bit "I introduced him to Katie, you remember Katie right? She's the girl I worked on my project with." Katie was another friend of mine. We had clicked right away. We were both the new kids this year, and even though it's a bit cliche, it's really what sealed our friendship. It was nice to have someone going through some of the same struggles as I was. 

" Oh yeah Katie," Ashton said, taking another bite of his desert "Nice girl, very responsible, good influence." I nodded finishing up the final scoop of my sundae. "It's nice ya know having friends. Actually the three of us were thinking about maybe going to the mall next week?" Ashton stood up clearing the table of our empty ice cream cups. 

"Well see" he said offering me his free hand "well talk about it more next week, after your math test. You know the one that you're supposed to be studying for." I groaned, throwing my head back in annoyance. "Yeah yeah I remember" I said throwing my arms in the air "Stupid math, stupid tests, stupid 5th grade." 

Kicking the ground in front of me we walked out of the shop, making sure we waved to the nice woman at the counter. "Yes Sage I know but we all have to go through fifth grade." he said with a small chuckle. We hopped into his car and started our short drive home, while we were in the shop it had begun to get dark. Giving him a small yawn I finally gave up in the argument. 

Sure fifth grade sucked but it was honestly better than before. Besides I had Katie and now Connor which made it all the more bearable. Finally we were home and after stuffing my face with ice cream and dealing with Ashton all day I was beat. So I quickly said goodnight shuffling upstairs to brush my teeth and change into my pjs before climbing into bed. Before I knew it I was out.

I was running, my feet pounding into the hard ground below me. I knew I had to get home and I knew I had to do it fast. Something was wrong, very wrong. Finally I was at the apartment building. Throwing the door open, I bolted to the stairs. I took them two at a time going up at what had to be record breaking speed. I heard the people before I saw them, the yelling, the crying sounds that I don't think I could ever forget. 

"Daddy" I yelled into the hallway. The once deserted hallway was now crawling with life. "Daddy" I shrieked again, my voice breaking. Finally I saw them, the door wide open, paramedics crowding the door frame. I saw my aunt too off to the side, arms crossed with a blank look on her face. 

Then time stopped, no matter how fast I ran it seemed like I would never reach them. There was my dad strapped down on the gurney. At first I didn't know what to do, my brain stopped. The only sound I could hear was the buzzing light above my head. But then I saw him struggling, fighting against the straps that held him down. His body lurching forward in a desperate attempt to free himself. 

My body leapt into action running towards him "Let him go" I screamed running towards the paramedics. He finally noticed me reaching out his hand towards me. "It's gonna be alright baby" He spoke his voice soft, a sharp contrast to the fire in his eyes. 

"It's all gonna be ok." I grabbed onto his hand fearing that if I let go I wouldn't be able to feel the warmth again. "Daddy please" I begged, the tears finally falling. The hurt finally bubbling up in my chest. " I love you baby." he said, squeezing my hand tightly "so so much." 

Then everything erupted into chaos, our little bubble had popped. My aunt grabbed my shoulders pulling me back, our hands desperately trying to cling together. With one final tug from my aunt our hands disconnected and the fate that I was trying so hard to stop had been sealed. The paramedics began wheeling him away, but his voice traveled down the hall as he left. 

His sobs resonating off the cracked walls. Hearing his cries triggered something in me and I began to sob as well. The tears fell rapidly until all that I could taste was the salt. I could still hear him as they descended down the stairs, it almost seemed like the farther he got the louder he screamed. Until finally my aunt pulled me inside slamming the door. My cries finally silenced by the thick slab of wood.

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So how are we feeling so far? Do we like Sage? Do we like Ashton? Please let us know your feedback! This is the first book that we've written so if you have suggestions please tell us! I know its a little slow right now but chapter 6 is about to be wild! Thanks for all the reads so far <3