Okie dokie, let's settle in for personal story time:
Last night I uploaded the chapter (which all of you got the notification for) and then I realised there was an issue with it. So, after literally two seconds of uploading it I took it down. Whilst I was still awake, I got a handful of messages, comments and posts on my conversations board. I responded to all of these last night, so they should all have answers.
I thought, maybe they'll spread the word but nah ð
I woke up with literally 1000+ notifs of comments, messages and posts (even though I made a post on the conversation board that told everyone what was wrong) and I was like 'Bruh, I can't respond to all of these' ð
Anyway, moral of the story if there's a glitch check my conversations board or even my Twitter (shortycharlott1).
Okay, story time over, love you all here's the chapter!
Anyway, don't forget to vote! AND CHECK OUT MY NEW BOOK the first chapter has been posted and the rest will follow after 'Apartment No.4'.
So keen!
Read the authors note at the end to see when my next update will be.
Enjoy!
"Well," Said Mel, staring over my shoulder at the pregnancy test.
"Well," I agreed, staring with her.
"So..."
"Uh huh." I said, pulling my lips into a tight line.
"And you're happy? You're happy with that result?"
"Maybe, I don't know." I carefully placed the stick on the counter again and resumed my place on the loo.
"What are you going to do now?" She asked from her place on the counter.
"I don't know." I ran my hands through my hair, feeling the oncomings of a headache. "Do I tell Mason?"
"I think you should." Her mouth pressed into a thin line and uncertainty clear as day on her face.
"What do I even say?" I shook my head. It's strange really, I felt oddly calm almost to the point where I could laugh... which I started to do, earning a concerned stare from Mel which only made me laugh more.
I was giggling in hysterics with tears streaming down my face soon after, gasping for breath just to get the words I was trying to say out.
"I can't believe that happened! What the hell!" At that moment I felt like the crying with laughter emoji and when my vision became clearer every now and then I could see that Mel was deliberating whether or not to call the funny farm.
She abandoned her place on the counter to walk over to me.
"Ashley, I think you're having a break-down." She whispered as she rested her hands on my knees, squatting in front of me to see my face clearer.
Ya think!?
After a considerable amount of time I'd managed to calm myself down to silence and now with the laughter gone, I felt empty. So, so, so incredibly empty.
"I just... I can't believe that I-" I was cut off by the sound of Cameron coming through the front door.
Mel and I looked at each other, eyes wide with panic before we scrambled around, sliding and slipping on the tiles of the bathroom to hide the tests and wrappers.
"Mel?" Called Cameron, his voice muffled from the door as he opened it slowly, not poking his head in but just so he could hear us
"Yeah, what's up?" Asked Mel, pulling the door open wider and leaning against the frame with her arms crossed as she tried her hardest to steady her breathing without being obviously dishevelled.
I was standing at the sink staring at my blushing face in the mirror, pretending to be checking my face for pimples while Cameron scrutinised us.
"Nothing... do you guys want dinner? I picked up a pizza," He said, turning to walk to the kitchen but not before giving me an inquisitive gaze.
"You're the best," chirped Mel as she skipped over to him, opening the pizza box with her lips pursed.
I followed slowly, still trying to figure out how to be normal after what just happened.
Just act normal, just act normal, I repeated over and over in my mind as I came up to the counter.
"Ash you want a plate?" Asked Cam, holding a plate in my direction for me to take.
"Normal - I mean, yes, thanks."
Damnit, internal cringe.
We ate in silence while watching tv, Mel and I sharing sidelong glances the whole time while Cam seemed to have no idea what was going on.
"It's 9:30," I said, getting up and taking everyone's plates with me to the kitchen to stack the dishwasher. "I guess I should get back."
"Are you sure?" Asked Mel, jumping up from her seat to join me. "Do you want me to come?"
"I don't think that's a good idea, babe." Said Cameron, coming up behind her and rubbing her shoulders.
Their intimacy made my heart break. God I missed Mason.
"No Cam, you don't understa-" she began though I held my hand up to stop her.
"No, no it's fine. I should do this myself." I gave her a slight nod.
I excused myself to go to the loo before I left, taking my bag in with me so I could stuff the pregnancy tests in there. I didn't know either to worry or laugh at Cameron's hypothetical reaction if he were to find them.
I stuffed the box in the bottom of the bag and the stick I'd used in a pair of balled up socks so I wouldn't forget about it.
I said my goodbyes, earning a tight hug from Cameron and a wanting glance from Mel.
The drive back to my apartment was strangely peaceful and I was once again filled with that odd calm.
It wasn't until I pulled into the driveway and climbed the stairs that I felt the anxiety weight down in my belly and deep in my heart.
I unlocked the door with my keys slowly, unsure of what I was going to say when I saw him.
When I closed the door behind me I found Mason on the floor in the space between the lounge and the kitchen.
He startled me at first before I realised he was doing push-ups, his music too loud in his headphones.
"Mason," I called, but he didn't hear me, continuing pressing up and down on the floor with the muscles in his back and arms flexing and relaxing.
"Mason," I called again, a little louder this time but still no response from him. I looked around, frustrated and saw his phone resting on the side board next to the doorway where we put our mail.
I turned the music off and he huffed in frustration, getting to his feet.
He turned around but stood stunned when he saw me.
He was breathing heavily and there was a sheen of sweat across his face and chest making his skin gleam.
I stood there awkwardly, trying to not let any emotion show on my face.
Already I could feel the pull towards him. It hurt, I was physically burning to be near him. I wanted to be wrapped in his strong arms and for him to hold me tight against him, for his lips to cover mine. But I needed to hold my ground.
After who knows how long, he pulled his earphones out, switching the Bluetooth off and putting them in the back pocket of his tracksuit pants, moving slowly as though he was afraid he'd scare me off.
"I wasn't sure when you'd come back." His voice was quiet and calculated, though he wasn't wearing his stoic expression that was so often associated with. Instead, his face was soft and careful of what he was showing, though, not emotionless.
"Here I am." I answered, lifting my arms from my sides as if to show that I was actually physical here.
"Can I..." he cleared his throat, "can I touch you?" I've never seen the man so uncertain, to be fair, I was uncertain too.
I hesitated my response. Truthfully, with him so close I could literally feel the ache of my heart, begging me to be reunited with it's other half.
I simply nodded and was shocked at how quickly I was wrapped up in his arms.
"I wasn't sure you would come back." He choked on a sob and I felt my heart splinter and crumble to pieces. "I'm so, so sorry sweetheart. I'm so sorry I can't even put into words." He pulled me in tighter and I responded in the same way, pressing my face into his shoulder as though we could morph into one.
We stood like this, enjoying the fact that we could finally put the pieces of our hearts together after what felt like a lifetime.
"I messed up, I know I did. I understand now, I was so wrong I shouldn't have gone to her flat." He stressed, grasping my face in his large hands, staring into my eyes with so much vigour I nearly needed to look away, but he held me captive.
"I don't have a problem with you seeing your 'exes', just-"
"Not when I should be here with you in difficult times. I know, I know baby, I'm so sorry." He shocked me by pressing his mouth to mine in eagerness.
I hesitated at first but soon reacted slowly, pulling away before it became too hard to stop.
"God , I've never felt so lonely, so broken hearted. It nearly killed me." He rested his forehead against mine, my face still in his hands.
"Mason," I started, unsure of how to continue.
"Yes, my love?"
"I have something to tell you," I took a deep breath, preparing myself.
"Whatever it is, it can wait. I just want to be with you. Just you and me for now. Please." He sobbed into my shoulder and I could feel hot tears drenching my shoulder. It was like my heart was healing then breaking over and over again.
I couldn't deny him, I was feeling the exact same. I wanted to talk about it, talk about what happened with the whole Mia incident. Though, I'm not sure that either of us could do it.
Perhaps we could move on rather than pick at heeling wounds.
I hated arguing and I knew that I couldn't drag on making him feel guilty forever, it would kill me to see him like this for much longer.
Although, the news I had now I wasn't sure how much longer I could hold onto now. If I didn't tell him soon he'd be furious I kept it from him just like I was with the Mia thing.
Though, right now, we just needed to let our hearts mend.
Funny, how painful it is to be away from the one you love. It's like you lose a part of yourself in the process of losing them.
Never again.
I made a promise to myself right then and there that we would never be apart.
Never again.
Next update will be on Friday (AETD) in the afternoon so stay by your phones!
I know I haven't give the answer yet, but don't worry you'll find out soon enough! ð
PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO UPDATE STRAIGHT AFTER THIS IS POSTED I'M MOVING AS FAST AS I CAN AND WE'RE LUCKY I EVEN HAVE THE TIME TO POST AT ALL!