Page 96 of Broken Beauty
“Ash, it's what's best for her. You really want to ruin Ariella's future?”
Forty-Five
Ariella
Present
Bridgette is coming in late today for reasons I don't know.
She told me it was because she went to a party and drank too much but I know it's something more. She has been keeping things from me.
I know it.
When I woke up yesterday morning, I didn't find Ash in bed. His side of the bed was cold when I woke up. I looked at my phone and saw no messages from him.
I didn't text him until last night and I still haven't gotten a text from him.
I know I said that I loved him last night.
I was feeling so overwhelmed and I needed to tell him. It just came out and I saw the hesitance in his eyes. He didn't say it back and that's okay, I just wish I didn't feel this way. I feel ignored and dumped which is stupid because Ash and I aren't really together. We never were.
I just thought our relationship was growing into something more.
When my father saw the frown on my face the morning he left, he seemed very happy, despite my mood. He was acting normal and tried to talk to me about Ash but I didn't want to talk to my father about him. All my father would do is judge me for being with someone he doesn't approve of.
I take my seat in the back of the class where I normally sit. I avoid Liam's eyes on purpose when I pass by him.
As more people start to come inside the classroom, I keep my eyes on the door, waiting patiently for Ash to walk in.
My heart is beating so fast and I can't help but feel nervous. I don't know why I feel so scared. I have talked to him many times before. This time is no different.
All I did was say that I loved him.
But he didn't say it back.
I can't help but feel giddy when I see him walk inside the room.
Today, Ash is wearing light blue jeans, and a gray hoodie with the hood up. As always, he looks good, even when he looks mad or pissed.
Ash always manages to look good. I don't know how he has this ability to make my heart beat fast and make me want to hold him in my arms forever.
He is so beautiful that it sometimes hurts to look at him.
Ash's eyes find mine and I can't help but give him a small smile. Ash turns his head and chooses to sit down at the end of the row, far away from me.
The distance doesn't seem that far but to me it feels like he is miles away.
I pull out my phone and bring up our messages.
He still hasn't messaged me back. I have only texted him twice since I found out he left me alone in bed.
I stare at the messages and think of texting him. I look at Ash and see him staring at Liam who is talking about some assignment we have.
He looks so destroyed and I can't help but wonder what is going through his head. I wish I could see his hands but he has them tucked inside his pockets.
It feels like it's been hours when Liam says that we are free to leave.
Ash stands up and heads towards the door. I pack my things up quickly before running after him. I catch Liam's eye as I run out the door and catching up with Ash. I grab Ash's arm and bring his hands to me so that I can take a close look at them.
