Broken

• Chapter 139 •

I nod, "Seriously, Ashton. You've got the same GPA I do, you're the highest ranking in school. You're so smart. I can't watch you throw away all your potential and work at a fucking car shop. You deserve to go to university and get a proper education, okay?"

He pinches the bridge of his nose, "I get that, Clementine. I do. Of course, I want to, but I can't. What will I do with the twins? I have to think of their future."

"Tony owns a car shop, and they pay well. You can get a part-time job there, I'm planning to as well," I shake my head, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it... But for now, at least apply. It's not too late, Columbia's still accepting applications for some majors—"

He frowns, "Columbia?"

"Yeah—"

He bursts into laughter, "You want me to apply for a scholarship at an Ivy League school? Don't be ridiculous."

I frown at him, "Ashton... Your chances of getting in are the same as mine."

He rolls his eyes, "Yeah, okay. I mean I was considering the whole university thing, but Columbia? Don't be stupid."

I fold my arms across my chest and stare at him, letting out a bitter laugh and shaking my head. I sit up to leave. He sighs and rolls his eyes, "Come on, Clementine! I'm a fucking teenage dad to kids who aren't mine! I don't have a clean record, I—"

"What?"

His eyes widen, he almost chokes on his words, "Nothing."

I shake my head, "No, you said you don't have a clean record—"

"They won't accept me, Clem. I'm a fucked up kid raising two children and scrapping to get by, the hell makes you think they'd accept me?"

I shake my head and walk up to him, placing my hands on either side of his face and tilting his face down to meet my eyes.

"Because... You're amazing. You're extremely smart, responsible, good... If anything, the shit you've been through would only boost your chances of getting in. Write a personal statement telling them about your life, and how you've become the man you are. And fuck, if they don't accept you then... They're damn fools. Because I'm proud of the man you've become, and everyone else with a working brain cell would be, too."

Ashton's eyes bore into mine, a smile tugs at the corner of his lips. He presses our foreheads together, "... Okay."

___________________

Ashton and I spent the rest of the day working on his college applications. He ended up applying to Columbia, NYU, and Pace University. I want him to go to Columbia, he really likes NYU, and Pace is the safe school. After an exhausting and stressful day of me getting him to write his personal statement, I flop down onto his bed in defeat. Relief floods through me as the pressure from my back releases. My eyes feel heavy as I check my phone for the time.

1:02 am.

"Dude, we have to sleep," I groan as I prop onto my elbows, glancing towards Ashton who's finishing up and submitting his applications.

"Give me a minute."

I stand to 'borrow' one of his sweaters. He glances back, hands on the keyboard.

"Ah, well if it isn't you being a total girl and stealing my sweater. Why do girls do that by the way?" 

I shrug, "Shut up, I'm not stealing it. Just borrowing..."

Pft, he's never seeing this sweater again.

He shakes his head and sighs to himself, turning back to his laptop once more. I jump into his bed and sigh in defeat, my eyes begin closing. I tell myself I'll wait up for him, but as fate would have it, my ass is too tired to.

- ASHTON -

I crack my neck, annoyed at the soreness. I stretch back and crack my back in the process. My phone buzzes, so I check my notifications before looking at the time.

1:34 am.

I rub my eyes in fatigue, elbows on my knees and glance towards Clementine. I smirk when I find that she has completely passed out. My mind flutters around the entire university idea. Will I actually get in? Will I get a scholarship? What if I don't? I look towards her and my stomach knots up nervously.

She's planning a future with me...

For once, I actually allow the thought that she isn't eventually going to leave me in my head. Guilt prods at my ribs, I know I have to be honest about what I can... Before anything becomes too intense. I'm not sure how she'll react. Is she going to freak out completely? Leave me? I would if I were in her shoes. I obviously can't tell her about Derek, but I'll tell her everything else. I have to.

I let out a sigh and stand, feeling a little dizzy. I walk towards my closet and change into my pajamas before plopping down beside Clementine. I pull up the bedspread to my neck and face Clementine, reaching out to stroke her cheek. She's drooling and snoring. But it's cute. I smile and kiss her forehead before drifting off to sleep.