No Strings Attached

Chapter 2

A dream. 

Last night had been nothing more than my wistful heart screwing around with my brain. Making it seem like I actually had spoken to Ashton March. What a kind heart I had. 

I paused before I stepped into the kitchen the next morning, checking that the coast was clear. Sighing in relief, I slipped into the teenage boy-free room, standing on my tiptoes to reach a box of Lucky Charms off the top of the fridge. 

“Who even wears pigtails anymore? You look like you‘re four.” At the wicked snicker behind me, I spun around on my heels, fumbling with my bowl and milk carton. 

Cyrus was arching his brow at my sudden impairment as I shot him an apologetic smile, placing the trembling bowl, carton and box on the counter. Black hair peeking out of his beanie, Ashton buried his head in his crossed arms, groaning loudly. 

“I don’t want to go to school!” came his muffled whimper and he lifted his head to run his hand down his face. “That’s it. I’m not going. I’ll be sleeping.” 

Catching him by the collar before he could escape upstairs, Cyrus dragged his butt back to the chair. “You should be excited, A-Ashton.” I was surprised I’d actually found my voice so early in the morning, Yet again, my back was facing him as I poured milk into my cereal. “It’s your senior year. Enjoy it while it lasts.” 

As I avoided eye-contact and joined them at the table, I felt Ashton’s heavy gaze on my face. He was scowling when I peeked up through my lashes, his chin in his palm. 

“Have I ever told you how repulsive I find your optimism, kiddo?” 

In a flash, Ashton’s face met the table as Cyrus--- once again--- backhanded his best mate. From the force of the face-plant, I could’ve sworn Ashton had lost his front teeth. “Every time, man! Every time! What’d I do now?” He snarled, flipping his curled bangs out of his stormy eyes. 

“Stop being mean to my sister, prick.” He snapped, glowering at him as he got up and marched towards the fridge. 

“What? She knows I’m just messing around.” Immediately, Ashton perked up at the possibility of getting tons of free food as Cyrus dug through the fridge. “Oh, darling dearest, I’d very much love it if you’d make me some scrabbled eggs and bacon and pancakes. Oh man, don’t forget the pancakes!” 

I tried to hide my chuckle with a bite of cereal when Cyrus chucked a frozen hot-pocket at Ashton. The boy let out a girlish scream as the icy meal smacked him right dab on the neck. “Are you trying to kill me, you sociopath?” He gasped dramatically, his hand going up to stroke his thick neck. 

Cyrus snickered with a cross of his arms behind his head. “I was going for your teeth; but, well, you know my aim is such shit in the morning.” He then smiled to me warmly before pressing a kiss to my forehead, his green eyes twinkling. “Finish up, Sky, we’ll be waiting in the car.” 

“That’s not fair!” Ashton was whining as he chased after my brother. “Why does she get better treatment than me, man? Not fair!” 

A smile that could split my lip spread across my face as I placed my empty bowl in the sink, tossing the forgotten frozen pocket back in the freezer. 

They were bloody idiots.

~

“You seriously need to grow a pair, Skylar.” 

I rolled my eyes as Bruce’s lips kept smacking together, words probably coming out but I wasn’t listening anymore. I stopped after the first ten minutes of his lecture. Honestly, I could only handle so much of his nonstop rambling.