Thick and Thin [l. hemmings]

nineteen

"I'm sorry that I'm not fucking good enough!"

"That's not what I'm saying! Fuck! Come here." He groans, walking over to me, grabbing my wrists and pulling me over to his bed.

I let out a whine in protest as he pulls me, not wanting to be near him.

Ashton sits, pulling me to sit next to him. He takes a couple deep breaths as he tries to calm down before he starts to speak, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Kels. But also, I'm not. Michael doesn't deserve to be treated like he's not your boyfriend. He is. Act like it."

"I'm scared. And we have this same fight all the time. This is exhausting, and I just wish it was easier."

"I don't mean to fight with you. I just need you to realize these things. Telling Michael about Kiana and Calum doesn't mean he'll find out about Luke. Those two things are barely related at this point. Start being more honest."

Sniffling, I frown, leaning my head on his shoulder.

He sighs, "I'm not gonna change my mind because you're crying, Kels."

"I know," I sniffle again, trying not to cry, "I'm not crying."

"Just think about what I'm saying, okay? I'm gonna unpack. You can stay in here if you'd like." He tells me before he stands up, going back to his unpacking.

"I... I'll talk to you later." I reply, getting up and making my way to my own room.

Once I get back to my room, I shut the door before curling up in bed. I bring my sheets over my head before pulling my phone out, just staring at my messages with Michael.

I get where Ashton is coming from, for the most part. But I need him to understand my side. I know it's been a while since Luke and I have been apart. I know it should be okay to tell Michael about Kiana and Calum. But I can't bring myself to do it. Just telling him about Kiana's wedding was a lot.

Sighing, I turn my phone off, tossing it to the side and doing my best to force myself to sleep.

-

"Kels? Are you up?" Ashton quietly calls, knocking at my door.

"Come in." I mumble, as Ashton is already stepping into my room.

"I know you're probably mad at me or whatever, but Kyle is back early. He brought pizza with him and wants to know if you'll come eat with us."

"Maybe. I don't know. I'm comfy."

"Come say hi to him!" He smiles, but I turn away.

I'm really not that mad at Ashton. I was comfy. But I also didn't want to go out there and greet Kyle and have to be all excited and talk about our Christmases.

"Okay, well, we'll be downstairs. You should join." Ashton tells me, before he walks out and closes my door behind him.

Sighing, I sit up, trying to force myself to wake up. I know I should go downstairs. It just sucks Ashton and I haven't been getting along well.

Eventually I'm able to get out of bed, and slowly trek back downstairs.

"Hey, Kels!" Kyle smiles, waving at me as I enter the kitchen.

I giggle, "Hey, Kyle."

"How've you been?"

"I'm good. Yeah." I tell him, doing my best to smile. "How was your Christmas?"

"It was great. Didn't do much, but it was nice. I just needed to leave the family early. It was getting to be too much." He laughs, grabbing another slice of pizza from the box on the counter.

"I get that. I had to leave the second I could." Ashton replies.

"I assume you were with Michael the whole time?" Kyle asks, turning to face me.

I nod, "I mean, mostly, yeah, I guess."

Talking about Michael wasn't what I really wanted to do right now, but I get Kyle is just trying to be nice.

"You good?" He questions, looking more concerned.

I quickly glance at Ashton, sighing as I think about the fight and my conversation with Michael, "Yeah. I'm good. Things get tough sometimes."

"That sucks, I'm sorry. I'd offer to help, but I know you've probably already talked to Ashton." He laughs, shaking his head at us before he decided to leave Ashton and I in the kitchen.

I sigh, grabbing a slice of pizza and grabbing a plate so I can bring it upstairs to eat in my bed while watching Netflix.

"Kels, come on, don't be mad at me." Ashton begs, following me out of the kitchen.

"I'm not mad. I'm just gonna go get homework done. I'm so tired, it's fine." I tell him, weakly smiling at him.

He looks at me as if he doesn't believe a word I'm saying, but let's me head upstairs without another word.

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I hope y'all liked it. Seattle is a few chapters away. just wait! it'll be too much! I love my writing being overdramatic!