0.5

โ‡ขVIENNAโ‡ 

The whole rest of the week was a bit odd. But it was whatever. "What about this?" I ask Nairobi, holding an outfit up against my body.

"It's giving im slut but I'm not slutty. It's cute. And you look good in teal." Nairobi smiled pulling on her own clothes. "So... Have you talked to Ash?" "No." I sigh.

"We'll, are you going to?" "I don't know. Maybe." I respond bluntly. "Fez can tell there's something up with you too. Ash has been acting weird and you haven't been over."

"God what are you getting up at Ni?" I stress pulling my clothes on.

"That he misses you. And that you miss him. You can't tell me that you don't, I see it all over your face. V, don't do this to yourself...Do you love him?" Her words caught me so off guard my shirt slipped right from my hands. "...What?"

"Do you love Ashtray, Vienna? If you do then tell him. Because watching the two of you play this cat and mouse game hurts me because I can see how much it's hurting you. Talk to him."

"...Ok..." "Ok?" "I'll talk to him. I promise." "Good, and I'm giving a speech at your wedding." I couldn't help but laugh. "Hurry guys we have to go pick up Cassie." Maddy called out from our shared bathroom door.

It connected our rooms but I always kept my side locked. "We're almost finished!" I called back as me and Nairobi finished getting ready.










































"I'll text you when I'm ready I gotta go find Nate." Maddy spoke to me before pulling out her phone and walking away from us.

"Let's go ride some rides to get my adrenaline running first. And then I'll go talk to him." "Fine." Nairobi groaned before she dragged me to go get in line.

And the adrenaline rush it was. "Oh my god we have to do that one again." I laughed as me and Nairobi stumbled past people. "Who's the blonde with Rue?" Nairobi spoke as we looked over and saw Rue.

"I don't know? Let's go find out." I speak taking her hand as we walk up to them. Lexi was standing awkwardly behind them on her phone.

"Hey Rue Rue." I speak maneuvering past the blonde to hug Rue. "Hey V V. Ni. I- uhhhh, this is Jules." "Hey." Jules spoke. "Jules, this is V, she's Maddy's sister. And this is Nairobi."

"Hi it's nice to meet you, so your the one Rue's always talking about. You look amazing." Jules smiled at me. "Thanks. And yeah, same here." I speak, eyeing the girl up and down.

"Nice meeting you but we gotta go." I smile before pulling Nairobi away. "Bye Rue." "Bye." "I don't think she likes me." "Nah that's just V."

"I don't like her." "You legit just met her." "Still don't like her. I don't think she's good for Rue." "Come on let's ride the ferris wheel. Then you're talking to Ash."

"Fine." "See see look- Hey V." Gia spoke to me with some girl who was dressed like a toddler. "Hey G." "You look really pretty." The girl with Gia spoke. "Thanks." "What are you guys up to?" Gia asked.

"Nothing much. What about you guys?" "Where gonna go hang out with some guys. You can join us if you want." The toodler dress girl spoke. "Sounds middle school, we'll pass." Nairobi answered. "We're gonna smoke some weed."

"Sounds tempting but we'll pass. We're not big on circles. To many people kill the high. But thanks though. See you Gia." I smile before we walk away. "That was so cool. I can't believe you're friends with them."

"And this year's winner of the chili cook off is! Cal Jacobs!" "Don't they win like every year?" Nairobi rolled her eyes as a crowd cheered. "Yup." But as the cheering stopped you could still hear one person clapping.

"Is that Maddy? Bro what is she doing?" Nairobi pointed out.

"Yeah i'm not supposed to be here right now because i'm dressed like a hooker. And none of you like me. But I just wanted to say congratulations." Maddy spoke sarcastically as she approached the Jacob's.

"The balls on your sister." Nairobi spoke as we watched her. "Tell me about it."

"Maddy get out of here." Nate spoke which only cause Maddy to grow more irritated and knock over the pot of chili. "What in gods name is your problem." Nate's mom hissed. "You cunt." Maddy spat.

Only for Nate to grab her arm and drag her away. "What the fuck." I sighed. "Screw this, you're talking to Ash now." "Have you two seen Gia." Rue asked as Ni was pulling me towards the pretzel stand Fez and Ashtray were at.

I tried to pull out of her grip telling her I needed more time but she wouldn't budge. "Yeah like a minute ago. Her and some other girl invited us to smoke with them. Maybe try in the back." I responded, "Thanks." Rue spoke before taking off.

"Ni come on please don't make me do this." I groaned. "You have to."

Fuck my life. "Hey y'all." Fezco spoke as we stood outside the pretzel stand. "Hey Fez." Nairobi smiled. "V, it's been a minute. Where you been stranger?" "Just tryna figure my shit out. You know."

"I get that. You two looking for something?" "I- um. Is Ash around?" "Yeah. Yo Ash." You've got this V. Just gotta let your guard down for like five seconds.

Everything's gonna be fine.

"What?" "...Hey..." I speak looking up at him. "...Hey..." "Look um...Can we talk?" "I guess...In the back." "Can I have a pretzel?" Ni asked Fez as I walked around the back. Ash was already waiting outside for me.

"What's up?" "Don't come at me with the nonchalant bull shit Ash. You've been good?" "I've been better." Ash spoke folding his arms leaning back on the truck.

"...Did you miss me?"ย 

He didn't respond, all he did was was shrug as he looked into my eyes. He's lying. And he knows that I know he is. He just doesn't want to say it first. "I missed you."

"Why the change of heart?" "Because what you did was stupid, but I shouldn't let stupid things have that much power over my feelings." "I said I was sorry." "Actions speak louder than words Ash and you know that."

"I broke up with her." Ash spat out. "But you did what you did because you knew it would piss me off." "Why."

"What do you mean why! You're so full of shit. I'm not doing this with you. Fuck you." I scoff brushing past him but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back pinning me against the truck. "Tell me why Vienna."

"Tell you why? That's all I've ever done." I stress becoming so frustrated that my eyes water.

"I've told you over and over that I have feelings for you. That I want you. And you take me as a joke. And i'm still mad at you because being around you drives me nuts, but not being around you drives me even crazier. And if anyone should be asking why it should be me." I spoke as a few tears slipped from my eyes.

"Then ask me. Ask me why." Ash spoke, bringing his body closer to mine. "...Why?...Why do you push me away?"






























"...Because...I'm scared if you get to close I'll end up hurting you...And then I'll lose you...And I can't handle the thought of losing you. I haven't been able to think straight these past few weeks without you. I've been off my game. You keep me fucking sane Vienna. You're all the best parts of me. If you asked me to Id ride and if I needed to I'd die."

Ash spoke resting hi forehead against mine. My eyes were closed as I took in everything he said.












































"Look at me, Vienna." Opening my eyes I looking into his eyes and I could see this is the most vulnerable he's ever been.

"You and me..." Ash started tucking hair behind my ear. "If we do this... There's no turning back...You're in my system like and drug...You're it for me..."

"You're it for me." I whisper. And at that Ash crashed his lips onto mine. And god did it feel refreshing. Ash pressed his body against mine and I slipped my hands around his neck to pull him closer.

His tongue slid across my bottom lip asking for entrance which I gave him. Our tongues fought for dominance as our hands were all over each other.

But our moment was broken by my phone going off. Pulling away from him I fumble to answer it. "Yeah...Okay i'm on my way. Yeah... I said i'm coming Maddy don't worry about it... No her brothers are here...Ok I'll meet you at the car..."

Hanging up Ash's eyes were all over me. "I have to go. Maddy's ready to leave." I breathe fixing my skirt then moving to my hair. "What?"

"...Y-you uh... You look beautiful." "Going soft on me now Ash." I smile before kissing him one more time.

"I really have to go before Maddy kills me. But text me when you guys finish and when you get home. I'll call you." I say before turning around to leave. "Vienna." "Yeah." "...I'm sorry..."

"I know. But we can talk about all the things you can do to make up for it later. I really gotta go. I'll see you later. Hey Ni, I gotta. Text me when you get in the house." I speak taking off. "I- wa- Vienna I want all the details I hope you know that!"



































"I'm exhausted." I groan walking into the house. Maddy hadn't said a thing the entire ride. The house was dark and I was half asleep walking up the steps following behind Maddy into our bathroom.

Turning on the lights I see Maddy crying. And Purple bruise around her neck. "Maddy...Fuck..."

"I love him." She cried. "Maddy this isn't love. Okay. This is manipulation. God, why are you so stubborn... Do you need anything?" "Can you sleep in my room tonight?" "Of course." I smile weakly.

Maddy won't see Nate for the piece of shit he is until he betrays her. And he knows better than to do that. So they've been stuck in this endless cycle. As physically strong as Nate is, it's nothing compared to Maddy's mental strength.

Going back to my room I change my clothes and text Ash i'll call him tomorrow. Putting my phone on the charger I step into Maddy's room and crawl into her bed.

I held her as she cried.

Even the strongest people aren't always ok.

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