Colby immediately stopped kissing your neck and looked up.
Colby: It's about time you woke up.
Ash: Before I explain anything, can I have some water?
Jen: Yeah, of course.
You went to find a nurse to ask for water. It wasn't too hard. There was a nurse about 10 feet from Ash's door.
Jen: Hey, Ash Jenkins is up, can you get him some water?
Nurse: Yeah, I'll be right back ma'am.
Jen: Thank you!
You walked back into Ash's room.
Ash: I'm so glad I woke up before you two went any further. I did not want to hear that.
You chuckled bit. Then you realized, Ash just said he could hear us while he was in a coma.
Jen: Wait, Ash, you could hear us?
Ash: Yeah, I heard everything.
He turned to Colby.
Ash: Bitch.
Colby laughed.
Colby: I love my brother.
The nurse came back with the water.
Nurse: Take care!
She said, while smiling at Colby.
Colby: We will, thank you.
Colby said in a monotone voice. She walked out and smiled at Colby one last time.
Jen: I found something for you Ash.
You grabbed the letter that had Ash's name and handed it to him. He opened it very carefully. He read it and a small smile spread across his face and a tear fell down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly.
Colby: You okay Ash?
Ash: Yeah. It said Jen would be my legal guardian...
Jen: Yeah, I just need to fill out some paperwork.
Ash: It also said some stuff about Peyton...
He said, looking at the hospital bed with a solemn expression.
Jen: Hey, 'they are not you', remember.
His head whipped up and looked at you. You realized you had made a big mistake.
Ash: What did you just say Jen?!
Jen: Nothing!
You said, shaking your head rapidly.
Ash: You went in my room didn't you?
Jen: I had to.
Ash shook his head and scoffed.
Jen: I found it on your floor. Will told me to get his journal, which was hidden under your bed.
Ash: Oh I knew about Will's journal. He would write in it when I left the house. I only ever read the first page. Oh yeah, nice picture by the way.
Colby: Picture?!
You had no clue what Ash meant by that.
Jen: I'm just as confused as you are.
Ash: Oh, you haven't read it yet. Well you're in for a treat.
You and Colby looked at each other. You quickly grabbed Will's journal and turned to the first page. It was a picture of you when you were younger. Will must have found it and printed it out.
Colby walked over and looked at it.
Colby: Damn Jen! You were hot when you were younger!
Jen: Colby, stop lying to yourself. I looked like death.
Colby: Remember what I told you about lying to yourself?
Jen: I'm not lying Colby.
Colby: Yes you are. You are pretty.
Ash: Jen, I'm not giving feedback for my sake, but just know I'm on Colby's side.
Colby: See, this is why we're brothers.
You laughed at them.
Jen: Back on a serious note, Ash, I need to talk to you about something.
His face turned pale.
Ash: What is it?
You walked over to Ash and grabbed his arm. His eyes followed you very carefully. He didn't resist you grabbing his arm, he let you.
Ash: What is it Jen?
He asked, trying to not reveal that he already knows what you're doing.
You turned over his arm, sure enough, there were fresh cuts.
Jen: Why?
You asked, confused.
Ash: Why what?
He said, attempting, and failing, at playing dumb. Colby caught on to what had happened. He grabbed your free arm. He whispered quietly in your ear.
Colby: Show him your's.
You turned to face Colby.
Jen: Not right now Colbs, maybe later.
Ash: What?
Jen: It's not important right now. You're what's important right now Ash.
Ash: You found my sketchbook, didn't you?
He said, giving in.
Jen: Yeah.
Ash: Look, a couple months ago I was going through a rough patch-
Jen: What made it hard?
Ash: It was when Peyton disappeared.
You and Colby looked at each other and realized how much she meant to him. Ash started crying and he began to speak again.
Ash: You don't understand. I went through hell to get her. She was my dream girl. I tried so hard to impress her. I- I- I- I loved her. I. Loved. Her. Just to have her taken away from me.
A few moments of silence passed.
Colby: Ash, I understand. I changed my whole life for Jen.
Ash: W- What?
Colby: It all started two years ago. I had just moved here. She was dating Brennen at the time. They broke up shortly after I got there. I seen it as my chance. I told everyone to stay away from her. I turned into an asshole to get her attention. It worked... until... her best friend died... because of me. Then, I ended up dating her new best friend in hopes of getting to her. That time, it worked. Brennen happened and we met you.
Ash: Wow. Well I stuck up for Peyton. She was a cheerleader. The basketball players always treated her like crap. She hated me at first also. She thought I was a furry. (I have nothing against furries, don't come @ me.) I still have absolutely no clue why. Her personality was the best. She was like a girl version of me. One day, Will had a party at our house.
Jen: Well I missed out on a fun party.
Ash chuckled at your comment.
Ash: Peyton and the basketball players came. One cornered her. I shot him in the foot with my bow and arrow. She was impressed. We hung out. She talked about how she could throw knives. After the party, we started talking and hanging out more. One day, Will left for a couple days and I was home alone. People in my life kept turning their backs on me because it was obvious I had feelings for Peyton. All of my friends said I was going for a girl who was a terrible person. All because she was on the cheer team. She even told me she only cheered because of her friends. I felt bad and I decided to cut for the first time. I had the blade against my skin and I heard a knock at the door. That is the picture you saw.
He gestured to you.
Ash: I opened the door. It was Peyton. She kissed me. One thing led to another and I lost my virginity...
Jen: Okay, I think it's time we all get some sleep.
Ash: I actually am pretty tired even if I did just wake up.
Jen: Hey Colby, can you go to my house and get some blankets and pillows?
Colby: Yeah. I'll be back in like 20 minutes. Love you Jen.
Jen: Love you Colbs.
Colby waved at Ash and he waved back. Then, Colby left. Ash turned toward you with a urgent expression on his face.
Ash: Jen, has Will shown you the future yet?
Song:
"If I had to, I would put myself right beside you, so let me ask, would you like that? Would you like that? And I don't mind when you say this love is the last time so now I'll ask 'do you like that, do you like that?' Something's getting in the way, something's just about to break."
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