twenty three days. // a.i a.u [ON HOLD]

vii

day five - frankie

the fifth day was horrible. it started out alright. i woke up and ate breakfast, flicked my brother on the forehead, and said good morning to my parents before they left for work.

and then i went to ashton's.

i was greeted by lauren at the door, and she smiled widely before letting me inside. she made me promise to hang out with her later, which i did so happily before climbing the stairs to ashton's room.

"hey ash," i chirped, closing the door behind me. as i turned around, i grinned, seeing ashton facing the wall, fast asleep.

but then i sneezed, causing ashton to shoot up in bed. my eyes widened as he rubbed his sleepily, and looked at me in confusion.

"sorry!" i squeaked, covering my mouth with my hands. "i didn't mean to wake you up!"

ashton yawned, and then shrugged. "okay."

furrowing my eyebrows, i sat next to him on the bed. "are you okay?"

"yeah," he nodded. "i'm fine."

i looked at him closely, and noticed how tired he looked. "did you stay up late?"

"kinda."

i frowned, and leaned over to put my finger under his chin, tilting his face up so he was looking me in the eye. he tried to flinch away, and looked at another point beside me.

i huffed in frustration. "what the fûck, ashton? what's wrong?"

"nothing." he spat, looking directly at me.

i shrank away from him. nothing. it was the way he said the word that almost frightened me. i was concerned for him, and he spits a word at me. in this cold tone, one that was filled with bitterness.

"okay." i said quietly, nodding. "alright. i'll just go then."

ashton sighed as i stood up, walking towards his window. i unlocked the hatch, sliding it up. "frankie." ashton called. i ignored him, balancing carefully on the ledge, then jumped. i landed on my feet, and then turned around to see ashton at his window.

"frankie." he repeated.

"see you tomorrow, ashton." i said stiffly. "i guess today was a waste of time."

and as he stepped out on the ledge, preparing to jump, i quickly rushed into my room, closing and locking my door. i didn't look at ashton's crestfallen expression as i pulled my curtains shut.

i laid down in my bed, pulling a spare blanket over me. reaching over to my nightstand, i grabbed a pair of headphones and plugged them into my phone. a song flooded through the earbuds as i pressed play and turned the volume up.

my eyes closed, and i felt my breaths get heavier as i drifted off.

-

"frankie."

i groaned, rolling over onto my side and swatting the air in front of me. i heard a sigh, and someone shook my shoulders. my eyes fluttered open to see calum in front of me.

i sat up, rubbing my eyes. "what?"

"ash is here," he answered, fumbling with his hands. "but as soon as he said you locked your window, i knew you were mad. so i figured i should ask before letting him up here."

"thanks, cal." i whispered. "he's okay."

calum nodded, a sad expression on his face, and left my room. just a moment later, ashton rushed in, closing the door behind him. he stepped in front of me, cupping my cheeks with his hands.

"i'm sorry," he whispered. "i shouldn't have snapped at you, and-"

"ash," i interrupted. "it's okay. you're okay. we're okay."

ashton breathed in relief, pulling me into his arms. "i was just upset, you know, because it suddenly dawned on me that you were leaving soon. and i shouldn't have been upset, or taken it out on you. i just don't want you to leave me-"

"ashton," i repeated, "i'm not leaving you. i'm just going to college. we're gonna be okay."

"but we won't frankie!" he exclaimed, now two feet away from me. "you'll be hours away, and when i'm sleeping, you'll be in class. when you're in bed, i'll be here alone with no one!"

i furrowed my eyebrows. "that's what this is about? you're mad at me for going to college!? sorry, i thought you were happy for me!"

"i am!" he protested, throwing his arms in the air. "i'm over the moon that you get to go! but do you think i want you to leave?"

"ashton-" i cut off with a frustrated groan. "i'm not leaving you! okay, i am. and i know that being left fûcking sucks, because i said goodbye to plenty of people. but mali left too, ashton, and she comes back, and she calls. we're still family. and we talk almost on a daily basis! you and i will be okay! i'm not going to forget about you, i'm not going to leave you!"

"but what if you find someone better?" ashton whispered, frown on his face. my eyes softened, and i took a step towards him.

"ash," i began quietly, cupping his cheek. "i know that i'll be hundreds of miles away. i know that i'll meet hundreds of guys. but there's only one you. and guess who i love? i'm not going to go to new york and immediately start searching for a new boyfriend. i'll always remember you, and when i come back, i'll come back to you."

ashton was silent, staring at me, eyes flickering back and forth as if searching for the lie. but there wasn't one. he blinked, then ducked his head down to kiss me.

i immediately responded, cupping both of his cheeks and moving my mouth against his. his hands held the base of my neck, and then he suddenly pulled away to mutter. "i'm sorry."

i kissed back, briefly murmuring "i'm sorry too," in between.

ashton left a final kiss on my lips, and pulled away to look at me. "i'm sorry, frankie. i shouldn't get mad because you're going to school. i love you."

"i love you too," i smiled, staring at him for a few seconds before we both leaned in to reconnect our lips.

the kiss was heated; full of passion, desperation, and care. ashton murmured a word against my lips, one i couldn't hear, but knew what he said. i jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist. he held my legs, and i held the back of his neck.

he turned in a circle, bending down to sit on my bed. i was positioned on his lap, and when i leaned forward against him, he fell backwards.

we broke apart to laugh, and i was now straddling his waist. ashton smiled at me, "your brother's downstairs."

"i know," i hummed, "he always ruins things."

ashton chuckled, and i crawled off him. i leaned against the head of the bed, and he laid his head on my lap. i ran my fingers through his hair, gently combing out any tangles.

"i love you," i said aloud. "i tell you everyday, but i want you to know that i really mean it."

ashton grinned, "you're adorable. i love you too, and i really mean it."

---

ummm, hi?

it's been nearly two months, i'm so sorry. to be fair, i did say i would update slow, didn't i?

anyway

i'm
going
to
sounds
live
feels
live

ANS IN SOC ECITED I SJSJSKSJSBDBD

IS ANYONE ELSE GOING? cmon n fangirl with me.

idk when the next chapter will be up? i'm honestly trying my best. but i have so much school and it's frustrating.

i love you all sososo much.

-k