Life in Color ✔️

40~ Tired

My birthday is in one month.

I repeat those words as I get ready for school, triple checking my phone to make sure I have the date right. One month till adulthood.

What does that mean for me? What does that mean for us? I still haven't told the kids about getting custody. I'm terrified something will happen to ruin this one little seed of goodness sprouting in our lives.

Last night I spent hours making a list of things we need to do to ensure the house is up to code. It's a long one and even then it won't be the prettiest house in the world. My stress scared away what little sleep I got, waking me up at 4:30 this morning. So to distract myself from impending adulthood I spent two hours getting ready.

Naturally.

Sage can tell I'm stressed as he drives to school but he doesn't say anything besides asking how much I slept. My lack of a response is answer enough.

I'm walking through the hallway to my locker alone, Sage leaving me to go print an essay out for class. Ashton bombards me as I'm closing my locker door.

"Good morning!" He says, spinning me around in a circle with one arm, a huge smile on his face as he hands me an iced coffee. I haven't seen him this excited in a long time.

"What has you in such a good mood?" I question, taking a sip. I'm going to need coffee to survive today.

He shrugs, "What's there not to be happy about. I'm alive. I'm with you. I brought doughnuts." He shakes a bag in his hand for emphasis. I raise an eyebrow at him, ignoring the fluttering of my stomach. "Alright." He admits, looking around the hallway before continuing. "How do you feel about driving three hours?"

I sip on my drink, "It depends on what for."

If it were for something important the drive would be nothing.

"What if it was to see me?" He asks sheepishly.

I choke on my drink. Does that mean he accepted the offer? He shakes his head, a few strands of hair falling in his face.

"Oh my god!" I cry, giving him a hug.

He wraps his arms around me, lifting me off the ground. "That's amazing."

A daunting thought appears in my mind as I remember Courtney's words. Would I be holding him back? Keeping him chained to me for weekend visits when ever I could break away while a whole new life slips away from him.

Someone clears their throat behind us. Ashton sets me down, keeping an arm around my waist. His hand resting on a small patch of skin I have exposed.

Gabe, Zev, James, and Stella smirk at us. "We can come back if you two need a moment, although I don't recommend the hallway as the best place for-" Ashton chucks the bag of doughnuts at Gabe to shut him up.

"I was telling Scarlett-" Ashton starts, glaring at them.

Sage and Ella walk up, "What were you telling Scarlett?" My brother cuts him off.

Ashton takes a deep breath, clearly annoyed. "I accepted the offer to play at Alabama."

"Holy shit!" The four guys say together, looks of shock on all their faces.

Sage engulfs Ashton in a hug, pushing me off to the side. Oh the bromance. "Congratulations Brother!"

"Dude, I'm honored to even know you." Zev says, shaking his hand.

"That's wild, I'm an Auburn fan but I think I could stomach Alabama if it means watching you." Gabe teases, slapping him on the back.

"We could be roommates!" James yells, pushing everyone out of the way, even Stella, to hug him. I forgot James was committed to their baseball team. The look of pure joy on Ashton's face makes me feel better.