Chapter Nine

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**Ash's point of view**

"I don't like you, Asher."

I smirked as Drew hit me with a pillow again, despite my attempts to move away.

"Oh, you love me. I'm loveable, remember?"

"I'm pretty sure I was high when I said that," grumbled Drew, giving up on abusing me with a pillow. He sighed and looked at the seat next to me on the couch.

"Or maybe you were just drunk? Like that time when I had to haul your ass up to your room." I teased, earning a punch on the arm from Drew. I let out a whimper, cowering away from him. "You're goddamn heavy, you know? And Jace wasn't any help!"

"He never helps." Drew sighed. I actually had a miniature heart attack when Jace showed up at the door last night and asked me to help him with Drew. And as much as he'd probably deny it, I know he was staring at my ass. That dude's bloody obvious.

"No shit, Sherlock." I muttered in response, my mind still on Jace. I needed - wanted - to help him. I knew he was afraid, just like how I was when I realised I was gay, but I wasn't a huge fuckboy either. There was also that sad look in his eyes, that I knew was caused by his parents.

Who was I kidding, anyways? Jace was a stubborn idiot. I wanted to hate him, but I just couldn't.

"I spoke to him about you last night." Drew stated, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I pretended to be uninterested and focused my eyes on some stupid TV show that was on at the moment.

"I must be hot shit, then, aye?"

Drew punched me in the same spot he'd hit me earlier, resulting in more pain and whimpering.

"You're annoying, Ashy."

"What did you two talk about?" I questioned, changing the subject.

"I said I forgive him because he said sorry." Drew informed me lamely.

Nice to know a simple 'sorry' can work wonders. Next time I steal Drew's gummy bears, I'll be sure to say sorry - that is - if he ever catches me.

"SO IT WAS YOU WHO STOLE MY GUMMYS!! I'M GOING TO SHOOT YOU ASHER!" Drew yelled at me.

I winced and rolled my eyes.

"I really need to learn how to speak in my head." I stated before realisation hit me."Wait. Stop eavesdropping on my private conversions, Drew! You're in the wrong, not me!" I scolded, whacking him with a pillow, much like how he did to me earlier.

Drew desperately tried to fight off the pillow as the front door swung open and revealed our very tired looking mother. I attempted to jump up but Drew held me down.

"Mother! Drew's trying to kill me!" I yelled.

Mum chuckled and sighed. "Sorry I'm home late. I had to work my usual night shift, then all day today." She said, sitting down next to Drew.

"Okay, but I'm still getting murdered here."

"Andrew, get off Ashy." Mum said calmly.

I jumped up, glaring at Drew as he let me go, before pouting and turning to face Mum.

"Mother! This isn't fair, I'm not a child! Stop calling me Ashy."

"Alright, Ashy. Andrew, I'm going to bed and your father called, saying he wants to see both of you." Mum said, raising an eyebrow at both of us.

"No." I deadpanned.

"Alright." Drew said, calmly. I knew he had forgiven dad from the last time they spoke, though I could never. Seeing Drew lose his cool like that terrified me.

"You're both going." Mum said and went upstairs, without a goodbye. I didn't blame her though, she was overworked, underpaid and bloody exhausted all the time.

I turned to Drew and frowned at him. "Don't go, Drew."

"We have to, Ashy." He said with a sad smile, ruffling my hair.

"No, we don't. He's an asshole." I replied, pushing down all the memories that proved otherwise. The memories of him pushing me on the swings at the park, our endless laughter after we pranked mum or the times we hid from Drew playing hide and seek. Those times were gone. All that was left were pointless memories, and that was the worst part. People change, but memories don't and they are what haunt you until the day you die.

"I'm sorry."

"Fuck you!" I yelled and got up. I looked at Drew and left the house, ignoring Drew's calls. I ran as far as I could, while hot tears streamed down my face.

Stop crying Ash! I scolded myself as I came to a halt. The cool June air hit me hard and I started to shiver, I couldn't believe I had just run out like that, but I couldn't take it anymore. Couldn't Drew see through the lies? Couldn't he see the hurt that dad has caused the whole family, didn't he feel anything?

I wiped my eyes and looked around, trying to remember which part of town I was in. Realising I was in the south, I started walking down the main road, passing busy shoppers and their families. I felt a surge of jealousy as I gazed longingly at parents and their children looking happy. Why couldn't I have that? What have I done that was so wrong, in order to deserve this misery? I mean, stealing Drew's gummys isn't that bad... Right?

"Ash?" A voice called from behind me, causing me to jump a little. I turned around and saw Jace. This was the first time I had seen him all day, since he hadn't been in school. He gave me a concerned smile, which confused me, until I realised that my eyes were probably red from crying. I blushed and looked away, embarrassed.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Just dandy!" I said, smiling at him brightly.

"What's wrong? I know you hate me, but I'm still semi trustworthy." Jace said with a small grin.

"That's debatable."

"Stop avoiding the question, also you look cold." Jace said, shrugging off his jumper for me to wear. I smiled at him lightly and took the clothing out of his hands.

"Avoiding the question is fun. It's like hot potato!"

Jace drew his eyebrows in and chuckled. "Sure it is." He said disbelievingly. "Now what's really wrong?"

"My dad wants to see me." I admitted in defeat, knowing Jace would just push Drew for an answer anyways. Jace gave me a knowing look and pulled me out of the street into a café.

"Why?" Jace asked, as we slid into a window booth.

I shrugged. "Who knows? Can we not talk about this?"

Jace nodded his head, reluctantly. "So."

"You kissed me." I stated flatly. This was the perfect time to talk about this with Jace and it would also help me take my mind off dad. I was also in the mood to pick a fight.

"Ash." Jace warned, looking away from me.

"It's almost comical that you're too afraid to admit that you like me. You're such a fuckboy, is that why you're scared? You don't want to lose the title?" I asked, with a smirk. Jace was looking rather uncomfortable as a waitress came up to us and asked us what we would like to order. I shooed her away and continued with Jace.

"I'm straight, and as you said, I'm a fuckboy. I have sex with girls. I like girls. I'm pretty sure I was high when I kissed you." Jace said, though he didn't look like he was 100% sure on what he was saying.

I laughed at him and raised an eyebrow. "Yep, you and Drew are definitely best friends." I said.

"I know, you shithead." Jace said, throwing a napkin at me. I glared at him and picked up the salt shaker, shaking salt onto his hair. Jace scowled and attempted to get it out, then flicked me on the forehead.

"I hate you." I pouted, as Jace grabbed me in a headlock. "Ow! This is unnecessary!"

Jace continued to leave me in a headlock while pulling me out of the café, despite my whining. He shoved me against the café window, his face coming dangerously close to mine. He held my gaze for a few minutes before letting me go and flicked me on the forehead again for good measure.

"I'm not a sissy anymore." Jace muttered to himself, seemingly unaware that I could hear him. He smirked at me and walked away, leaving me more confused than ever.

Maybe that was what Jace was: a confusing ball of sadness.

Or maybe that was just me.

Edited by: LarryShipSails

Hey guys!! I'm really sorry that I haven't been editing, my phone's confiscated so I can't really edit much, I can only edit once in a while, when I'm allowed to use my phone for a while. I'm really sorry!!

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