The Only Exception // a.i [book 1]

8

Ashton’s POV

I waited for as long as I could when we got back to text Makayla, and when I had she insisted we meet at the café, the one Bella works at. I begged her to meet somewhere else, but she wouldn’t budge. Sitting at a table towards the back I wait for Makayla and silently pray Bella doesn’t work today. I spot Makayla’s blonde head bob into the café. “Ash!” I stand to greet her and she pulls me into a hug.

“So you wanted to talk?” I sit down across from her.

“I miss you. I feel awful for what I did. But things are over between me and Jared.”

“What happened?” my voice is dry, uncaring.

“He wasn’t you.” I take a deep breath. I’m not over Makayla, and her words are pulling me back.

“Makayla I-“

“Before you say anything I just want you to know I love you.” I want to believe her. But then I remember what she did, and I can’t bring myself to be hurt like that again.

“No. I can’t do this again, Makayla. We’re over.” Her face falls, and for a second I feel bad. Her eyes flick over my shoulder to the door then back at me.

“I understand. One last goodbye kiss?” she offers. My stomach is uneasy at how quickly she bounced back, but one kiss won’t hurt. We stand up and I place a quick a kiss on her lips. Pulling back I notice a devilish grin on her face. Turning around I meet Bella’s shocked eyes. She darts away from us and into the back room. I glare at Makayla who is now sauntering out of the café. “Bella, it’s not what you think!” I rush to the counter when she appears behind it, tying an apron around her neck.

“I don’t care, Ashton!” her words are harsh. “You don’t owe me any sort of explanation.”

“But you seemed upset just now and I-“

“I was upset because she hurt you once before! You’re my best friend. I hate seeing you hurting, it’s the worst thing in my world.” Bella’s eyes become watery, filling me with guilt.

“She wanted to get back together, but I told her no.” my voice is small, and my eyes don’t rise to meet hers. Without another word, I shuffle out of the small café.

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            “How was your weekend, sweetie?” my mom asks as her, Harry, and me sit down for dinner that night.

            “It was good. Nice to get away. We’re band practicing a lot this week for a gig we booked!”

            “That’s great!” We eat in silence for a while until Harry breaks it.

            “Are you and Bella coming to my game tomorrow?”

            “I’ll be there, but Bella is kind of upset with me right now. But I’ll try and remind her, ok?” My mom shoots me a worried glance, “It’s nothing.” I tell her, but I can see she doesn’t believe me. Harry gives a short nod, but I can tell he’s upset. I lie awake in bed again. I pull on some clothes and go for a walk. My path takes me past Bella’s house.

            “Irwin.” Her voice causes my head to snap up. She is perched on her roof over hang, a cigarette dangling from her lips. Bella motions for me to join her. I swiftly climb the tree next to her room as I’ve done dozens of times. We sit in silence, listening to the wind move around us. “I’m sorry.”

            “No I acted like a dick, I’m sorry.” Bella lets out a small laugh. “What?”

            “This is the second time we’ve fought in like three days. This wasn’t a good idea,” she shakes her head. I don’t know how to respond. I agree it wasn’t a good idea. But I don’t want it to stop.

Bella’s POV

 

I flick the butt, watching the burning end collide with the ground and fizzle out. “So are we done?”

            “Do you want us to be?” my voice is quiet, fearing the answer.

            “No.” is Ashton’s simple response.

            “I called my dad back today,” I change the subject completely.

            “And?”

            “I told him I’d consider it. I looked at a few schools here first.”

            “Good, I’m glad you called him back. That’s a big step.” Ashton’s smile is so sincere.

            “Thanks. He also said since I would be getting a full scholarship that he’d pay for my own apartment.”

            “That’s sick! I think you should go!”

            “Ashton Fletcher Irwin! Are you trying to get rid of me?” I fake hurt, placing my hand over my heart.

            “You caught me!” he throws his arms in the air in defeat. Without warning he starts to tickle me, causing me to laugh uncontrollably.

            “Ash!” I breathe out. “We’re on a roof!” I continue to giggle as his hands reach my stomach. He finally listens; the air stiffens around us as our eyes lock. The space between us closes and our lips meet. I’m about to question the kiss when his arms grab my waist and pull me inside my room.

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Rolling over in my sleep I bump into a body, receiving a groan from them. “Bella, stop bumping into me!” Ashton whines.

            “It’s my bed!” I grumble and turn away from him, yanking the blanket with me. He yelps at the cold air against his bare skin. I chuckle as he tugs some of it back. “What are you doing today?” I lazily ask, drifting in and out of sleep.

            “Going to Harry’s football game. He wants you there as well.”

            “I know. Pick me up? Or meet you there?” I let out a yawn.

            “I can pick you up.” We lay there for a while longer, before I need to get up and get ready.

            “Time to get up!” I give his back a light shove and he topples to the floor. I stifle a laugh Ashton slips on his boxers and standing up.

            “I just love being woken up by you!” he says sarcastically. “I’ll pick you up at three,” he informs me when he’s dressed again. Once Ashton is gone I get in the shower and start my day.

We made it to the field with plenty of time before Harry’s game. Ashton rolled out a blanket and we sat on it next to his Mom.

            “Thank you so much for coming, Arabella! I know it means a lot to Harry!” Mrs. Irwin smiles at me.

            “Of course! He’s like the little brother I never had!” We all talk and laugh and watch the game. I look at the people sitting around me and have a strange sense of feeling whole. It’s been so long since I’ve felt like I have a real family. Since my dad left I thought I only needed my mom. Sitting here with Ashton and his mom and brother made me so happy. Not that I haven’t spent countless hours over at Ashton’s with his family, but this is different somehow. We are pieces from broken homes, possibly fitting together.

nawww :) who ships Bashton (hehe funny ship name) or should they stay best friends? lemme know what you think in the comments!! xo -Rachel