Broken

• Chapter 40 •

- CLEMENTINE -

Decline.

A pit begins forming in my stomach, I know rejecting mom and dad's calls is immature and irresponsible. I know I'm being awful and selfish. But since I'm going to be grounded when I get home anyway, I really don't care. I need fresh air, I need to get away from them. Living with them has been more annoying than I anticipated, I'm used to freedom and being alone.

"What's going on?"

I snap my head towards Ashton. Right... Ashton. Okay... I'm an idiot.

Why did I tell him to pick me up? Out of everyone, for God's sake. I could've called Adrien, you're supposed to share this type of shit with your significant other, right? Ugh, but then I would have to explain everything to him, and I can't. I can't talk to Eric, either, we're still on the outs.

It seems like Ashton is my only option at the moment.

I sigh. "I confronted them and blew up. Acted like a little bitch and told mom I hated her," I mumble in embarrassment.

He doesn't say anything, and I realize we've been driving for quite some time. What if he's going to kill me? Oh, my God. He could be a psychopath. He could be a serial killer. What the fuck was I thinking? Where is he taking me?

"It's okay, she'll forgive you. You were just mad," he tells me.

"Right. Where are you taking me?" should I be preparing my pepper-spray? I cautiously dig into my bag, relaxing when I get a grasp of it. Good, I brought it.

He nods his head towards a lighthouse in the distance. A lighthouse?

Okay, yup. I'm getting butchered tonight.

___________________

"Um, a lighthouse?" we step out of his car and my hand begins dripping with sweat from gripping the pepper spray so hard.

He nods, "Yeah. You'll find the sound of waves crashing on the shore is really peaceful. And you can't hear cars from up there," he tells me as he casually walks in.

He looks back at me when I make no move to follow him and cocks his head. His eyes dart down to my sweaty hand and he raises his eyebrow at me, letting out a snort.

"Um? Do you think I'm going to murder you or some shit?"

A blush forms on my cheeks, "Maybe."

He rolls his eyes at me and makes his way upstairs, dismissing me completely. I sigh and follow him, despite my better judgment, pepper-spray still tightly gripped by my hand.

My body calms as soon as I reach the top, the glass is so clear, no lights or disturbing sounds around. A window is slightly cracked open and a soft wind blows on me. He's so right. I can hear the soft waves crashing onto the shore, the faint smell of sea salt fills the air.

I close my eyes and breathe in, relaxing my muscles. The feeling is surreal, almost dream-like. I must've stayed this way for a while, my eyes flutter open and catch Ashton staring at me in amusement. I blush in embarrassment and set the pepper spray down.

"You good?" he folds his arms across his chest and cocks an eyebrow.

"Yeah..." suddenly, all I want to do is pour my heart out. So I do.

The words come out like vomit, non-stop and unfiltered. I tell him that I'm upset at my mother for not being around. For making me live away from them all these years, for hiding me. For pretending like everything was okay. Personal shit you keep for marriage or a therapist. Ashton remains quiet throughout.

"We were good when we were younger, real close. Then shit happened and she hasn't been the same since. It's like she's been using her job as a distraction and it's become her entire life now," I blurt, and kind of regret. I need to be careful about not saying too much.

"Anyway. I grew close to my dad, Brandon. He's practically my best friend. And I just... I don't know, I feel like I'm not important to her anymore, like I'm not really her daughter. That we're just strangers living in the same house," I tell him truthfully.

I glance up at him and am surprised to find that it felt good letting it out. Even if it is to Ashton. An overwhelming sense of relief floods through me. Ever since Eric, I haven't spoken to anyone about anything, and my heart has been bursting. I suppose I needed to let it out.

Ashton looks at me with empathetic eyes and nods, "I understand. But from what you've told me, your mom loves you, doesn't she?"

I'm surprised that he's not being a complete dick. I clear my throat and shrug, "Yeah, she does." I think back to all the sacrifices she has made for me, for all of us. Of course, she loves me. She just hasn't been showing it for a couple years, but I know she does.

He shrugs. "Just seems to me like she's been busy, cut her some slack. Whatever shit she's been through must've been intense though," he ponders.

I feel as though I've been punched in the heart. Yeah, intense is definitely one word I'd use for everything that has happened. I look away from him and stare off into the ocean.

My throat begins tightening as memories rush through my brain, tears threaten to leave my eyes. I blink them back into my eyes. I refuse to cry right now, in front of someone.

I spaz and jerk back when arms wrap around me. My eyebrows knit together when I realize what's happening. He's... Hugging me.

My body grows rigid in shock, I wasn't expecting this in a million years. Ashton is a hugger, ladies, and gentlemen.

I hadn't realized how much I needed something as trivial and simple as a hug. Tears escape my eyes and my body begins trembling. Please God no. Make it stop. Kill me now. Just do it.

"Shh... It's okay. Everything's going to be fine," Ashton tells me while still holding me tightly in the warmth of his arms.

I remain crying in his arms like a pathetic baby for a few moments, then it hits me. How intently he had listened to me when I told him about Evangeline, Byrnes and my mother. He didn't seem surprised at all.

Then again, that was his face. He never shows any kind of emotion, he's an expert at the poker face.

I pull back, a frown on my face. "You knew who I was all along, didn't you?" it finally clicks.

He shrugs, "I had a feeling, yeah."

"That's why you chose this research paper topic," I really am slow.

He studies me for a moment and a small smile forms on his face, "There aren't many girls with the name Clementine who look exactly like Evangeline Starling. Plus... No one's last name is Noodlemort."

I snort at this, and he grins. Soon enough, we're laughing our asses off.

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"Thanks for the ride."

We're pulled up at my house, I climb out and I sigh deeply when I realize I'm about to be in so much trouble.

"Sure."

He's about to drive away when I call out after him, "Ashton!"

He glances at me through the open window. "Thank you... For tonight... Really," I mumble awkwardly.

Ashton remains quiet for a while, eyes set on mine. His lips twitch, as though fighting a smile. It transforms him from someone menacing to someone you wish you knew. The smile of Ashton Ashford is the smile of a conqueror. He nods once and drives off into the night.

Who knew. Ashton Ashford and Clementine Charmant, the most unlikely of almost-friends.