Part 42

Part 42
A/n: Three more chapters squad and then we are done. Hehe I cried a bit while writing this.
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I felt Ashton tap on my shoulder when I realised that we had already reached the destination. All through the journey, I couldn't stop thinking about how Edward did not tell me about his breakup with Sara. I deserved to know about it. But why was I so affected? It was silly how my insides couldn't stop fluttering from the moment I heard about it.



"Hey" Ashton quietly whispered as he tried to tug my arm. When I met his eyes I could see that he was genuinely concerned. Everything inside me wanted to tell that I had no interest in going with him inside. The thing was I couldn't hurt him not after saying that I liked him. From past thirty days, it did not seem like that.



I shook my head, biting back the thoughts in my head. Maybe I was just overthinking. He did not seem convinced at my action.


"Let's go already" I smiled walking ahead of him. His eyes followed my every movement before he decided to join me. The parking lot was crowded with cars but we managed to find a way to enter inside.



My eyes closed shut when the loud music blared from the room. Wincing at the tone I tried not to let it affect me and tucked myself closer to Ashton. He guided me inside with his arm tightly holding me.



"Where is Louis?!" I screamed on top of my voice which made Ashton scrunch his nose for a second. He didn't understand what I said for a few seconds before realisation dawned him and he pointed towards the lounge. There were a lot of people and even though it was only a quarter to seven it was dark.



I followed Ashton and we spotted a guy with a paper crown on his head. Definitely Louis. He had bleary eyes, lips pink and swollen, his fringe sticking to his forehead and a dopey smile on his face. As soon as he saw Ashton he stumbled to stand up and rushed to hug him.



"Can't believe you are here"


Ashton chuckles balancing him, "Wouldn't miss it for the world! Happy birthday, bro!"


Louis's eyes brightened at that and he patted Ashton before pulling back, a giddy look on his face. Then as if he realised that I was standing beside Ashton he gave me a smile.


"Is this the famous girlfriend?"

Ashton ducked his head shyly at that and nodded, his eyes crinkling by his side as he peeked at me. I couldn't explain the feelings I was experiencing at the moment. There was no spark nor did I feel my heart skip like I was expecting at his tone. It made me gnaw at my lips.



"Hi please feel free" Louis motioned the entire area with his hands.



"Happy birthday," I said, nervously licking my lips. There were people staring at me from the lounge. It felt like I had something on my face.


As if Louis understood my sudden change in the mood he laughed softly, "Ignore them they are just excited that Ashton finally got someone by his side. We were worried he was going to end up alone"


Ashton nudged him with his elbow, a red tint on his cheeks like was embarrassed to hear about it. My lips pressed in a tight smile, having no idea what to say.



"He's just drunk" Ashton shrugged staring at me when I was quiet for a while.



"No, I'm not"


"Yeah right" Ashton snorted


Louis huffed, "Only a little maybe"



"That's what I was talking about" Ashton grinned staring in my direction before he was met with all his friends.



It was crazy how I had never met this side of him. Even though we had been friends for a while there was no reason to meet his other friends. For some reason, he never invited me to their parties and never asked. Sometimes it was better to keep your friends apart and I believed in that. He had a lot of friends, mostly his university friends who settled in New York.




With their over-enthusiasm and loud voice, I felt like I couldn't breathe. Everything felt too much and I lost the sight of Ashton when he went to refill the drinks. That's when one of his friends approached me.





"Do you really love him?"



I was taken back by her sudden question. Not only it was so direct but also rude at the way she was glaring at me.




I licked my lips, already dreading to answer the question. It was simple and I should already know it. Clearing my throat I met her narrowed eyes, "I don't think it's any of your business"





She didn't deflate at that like I was expecting instead shrugged her shoulders, "I know but Ashton is one of my closest friends. He deserves someone who can love and cherish him the way he does"




I stared in the direction where Ashton left and caught sight of him. He had a bright smile on his face, the dim lights reflecting his features. My eyes sting when at that moment I knew.




"He truly does" I whispered, my throat suddenly dry and itchy.



The girl blinked her eyes as if she was not expecting me to agree with her. Before she could say anything else someone tugged her arm and pulled her away from me. Her eyes never stopped looking at me till she disappeared in some other room.




Ashton came back with my drink in his hand. I smiled accepting the cocktail when I felt him staring at me. Licking my lips I met his eyes, "Is there something on my face?"




He shook his head, "I was just looking at you"



I opened and closed my mouth like a fish, not knowing how to respond to that. Usually, I had some witty comment to say and keep him quiet but I was lost. There were too many things in my mind and I couldn't say anything instead gave him a weak smile.


The party was a huge hit and we were able to sneak off early because Aiden was going to be back soon. Ashton wad disappointed at that but he did not complain.




The car stopped and he held my arm before I could get out of the car. The realisation that we both were alone made me curl my toes. It scared me that I couldn't hide my feelings anymore and he would probably read my face.




"I love you"




Those three words hung in the air and I was motionless. My eyes widened comically and I tried to breathe. His face was turned towards me, breathing ragged as he waited for my response. It felt like I couldn't move my body or my lips, my hands were cold.




"Ashton I..." I opened and closed mouth, taking a deep breath when I heard him chuckle. The sound was so bitter and hollow that I felt shivers down my spine.




"I shouldn't have said that... I knew it was... I don't know why I said that-"



"Ashton please" I whispered, tears stinging my eyes at the pain on his face.



He shook his head, "Please don't. I knew what I was doing. I had an idea that this wouldn't work out. Who was I fooling?"



"Please-"



"The moment you said that he was back I should have known that everything was over. I was just stupid to believe that... I knew this would happen like I had an idea I was going to make a fool of myself by confessing but I couldn't hold back anymore. Not when I know that I am never going to get an opportunity like this again." A tear trailed down his eyes but he wiped, chuckling softly.




"It was always him, wasn't it?"



Tears slid down my eyes, "I'm sorry"



He shook his head, "It's not entirely your fault. I let myself on this path knowing that it was risky and doomed to fail but I still had that hope. How naive!"




I felt like reaching out but it was my fault, the reason he was so devastated and broken was all because of me.



"I'm really sorry...I didn't mean it to happen. Not again trust me"



He sighed, "It still did"



I stayed quiet at that. It did even after I tried to stay away from Edward and hate him for everything he did to me I couldn't.



"It's fine. Everything's fine. I'll be fine" He assured me, his voice high pitched and airy. I knew that he was just trying to make me feel less guilty. Even after everything I did to him he was still trying to protect me.




"Ashton-"



"Go Aria" He gently said unlocking the door.



"Huh?"


He took a deep sharp breath before smiling in my direction, "You must be tired. It's alright we can go back to being friends again"



"Really?" I asked, unable to control the surprise in my tone.



"You can't get rid of me that easily"



I hummed softly and stepped out of the car. There was nothing I could say which would make him feel better. From the time I have known him, he was always the kind of person who would heal on his own and pretend everything is fine.




"Aria?"



I stilled at his voice and turned to look over my shoulder.



"Tell him, yeah?"



"I will" I whispered quietly before walking inside the building. As soon I unlocked the door of my apartment the realisation of what happened dawned on me and I couldn't stop crying.


"Why didn't you tell me about Sara earlier?" I questioned Edward as he sat in front of me.




My question stunned him and he looked lost at words. It was actually making me nervous to even talk about everything. What if he did not feel the same towards me? I was scared of ruining it and making things awkward.





"Because I wanted to pretend that it did not happen"




"Why?" I raised my eyebrow




He sighed, "I did not want to acknowledge that I was single because I would automatically think about you. You had Ashton and you are happy so I didn't want to ruin that"





"And why now?"




"Huh?"




"Why did you reveal to me earlier?"




He licked his lips, suddenly nervous at my question but leaned towards me. I sat up straight, my heart beating rapidly.




"When you asked earlier I couldn't hide it anymore. I'm tired of pretending that everything you do doesn't affect me. I'm tired of running away from the truth"





"The truth?" I asked, my voice echoing around the room. He blinked his eyes and took a sharp breath.





"The truth is I love you. I have been in love with you the moment you walked out of that door all those years ago. I don't want to hide it anymore. I love you, Aria Alexander"