Chapter 21 - Getting Booted Out
I decided to keep the wait short. Enjoy!
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"You aren't busy are you?" He asked me with a small frown.
I shook my head, "No Darren, I'm not busy at all!"
"That's good. I was wondering if it was possible if we could... you know, reconnect?" He smiled shyly pushing his thumbs in the hooks of his jeans.
I folded my arms against my chest, "I don't think so. Why in the world would I want to reconnect with you!" I spat.
"Stop being so harsh on him Ash!" Mel called.
I rolled my eyes, "He hurt me!" I hissed.
"Everybody makes mistakes and that mistake was solely my fault, Ashley. I'm really sorry and I should have never let go of an amazing girl such as yourself," He admitted looking down.
I smiled a little, "You're damn right, Darren. I'm amazing. I'm going to give you a chance you mess it up once you're out of my life for good and no sorry will ever fix it," I warned him.
Darren saluted me, "I won't disappoint you!"
"You better not!"Â I requested.
Darren nodded his head and handed me his cell phone, "Put your number in. I want to phone you when I have to ask you on our first date as a reconnected couple!" He said in a happy manner.
I nodded, "Sure." I typed my phone number in and handed it to him.
"Thanks!" He said before giving me an awkward hug and leaving almost immediately after that.
"What was all that about?" Melanie asked chewing a piece of chocolate.
"Rebound time!" I grinned.
Melanie rolled her eyes, "Ashley what you're doing isn't right or by any means fair on Darren. I am aware that he broke your heart and whatever but you don't need to be a bad person and break his heart back or use the guy. He did seem really genuine!" She said quickly.
I rolled my eyes, "Sure. Whatever you can be the saint here I don't want that role." I told her and speed walked to my room and slammed the door shut.
"Stop being a coward, Ashley Hayes!" Melanie shouted outside my door.
"Go away!" I retorted.
"Very funny Ashley. Open the door or get out of my apartment!" She yelled.
"I'd rather leave!" I yelled back.
"You have an hour to pack your things and get the hell out of my house Ashley Hayes!" She yelled.
"Fine!" I screamed grabbing my suitcase and placing all my belongings in it. I threw everything in from my shoes to my clothes, hair products, bathroom products to my make up, I didn't have much anyways.
I wore grey joggers and a white tank top and pulled my hair in a bun. Grabbing my handbag I took my charger and plug before I dragged my three suitcases out behind me.
"Where are you going?" Melanie called as she walked out after me.
"I'm leaving as you asked me to," I said.
I knew she didn't mean it and that she said that in the heat of the moment but, to be honest, I was trying to find an excuse to get away from reality. To get away from Brandon and the hounding paparazzi too.
"You know I didn't mean it."
I remained silent and looked away from her not wanting to keep eye contact. I did indeed know that.
I shrugged, "I know."
"I'm sorry but I said it in the heat of the moment. I was just upset with you for treating Darren like trash and for being so uncaring and unthoughtful toward him."
"I know that was horrible for me to do. You're right about that."
"Will you stay?" She asked, "You should know that I would never kick you out of my house."
I nodded with a sad smile, "I just needed an excuse to leave. I need time away to heal from all of this. I thought Brandon was the one for me."
Melanie nodded, "Where are you going to go?"
As far away from Brandon as possible.
"My grans maybe," I said.
Melanie gave me a sad smile, "I will always be here for you. Please take your time and come back when you are healed."
I nodded and gave her one last hug before I pulled my three bags into the elevator and pressed the floor level. I was feeling completely disoriented and nauseous as I thought about the Snowflake ball. I pulled up my phone and went through my short contact list to find my granny's phone number.
I pressed the dial key and crossed my fingers.
"Ashley!" She greeted me on the other side of the phone, "How are you, my angel?"
"I'm good Gran. Listen, I was wondering if you could send someone to fetch me. I'm currently just outside my house," I told her.
"Oh honey! I'm not at home. No one is actually. I'm visiting my nephew in Canada," She said with a sigh.
"Oh, it's okay gran. I understand," I said a sad smile covering my face.
"I love you, Ashley," She told me.
"I love you too!" I told her.
I ended the call after that and waited a moment when my phone began ringing and an unknown number showed up on my screen. I contemplated answering but I ignored it and left it to ring. I sighed as I walked off the pavement and headed to find someplace to stay for a few nights in order to get my head around all that was happening.
I ignored the strange looks I was receiving and began searching for a place to stay. After walking some distance I saw a motel and decided to check-in. Pushing the glass door open I peered inside and saw an elderly lady working the computers. Thick, golden-rimmed spectacles sat on her nose as she tapped away on the keyboard.
"Good morning!" I greeted her.
"Oh!" She protested, "You startled me. How are you dear?" She asked gently.
"I'm good. I was wondering if you have rooms open. I'd like to stay here for a couple of nights," I said with a small smile.
She nodded her head, "Of course! How many nights?" She asked me.
"Can I stay a week? I'll come and add more time if I decide to stay longer," I told her.
She nodded her head, "That's great!"
The woman handed me the green credit card machine and I paid for a few nights. I grabbed my three suitcases and grabbed the keycard with my mouth and went to the elevator in the corner. I pushed the third floor button and began the slow journey upwards.
My arms were beginning to hurt as my left arm was bent at an awkward angle in order to accommodate both bags while my right one dragged the heaviest bag. I sighed in relief when I reached my room. I scanned the keycard and walked into a neat room.
It wasn't lavish or luxurious but it was enough for me. There was a queen-sized bed in the center, a wardrobe to the right, and a bathroom with a small tv and couch set to the left of the room. It also had a furnished balcony and the key to open the door was already in place waiting for me to turn the lock.
I placed all three suitcases on the side, not bothering to unpack them, and decided that a shower would do. I quickly stripped out of my clothes and took a refreshing shower, the hot water loosening the knotted muscles in my back.
When I got out and checked my phone, I realised that I had a hundred and two missed calls. My heart jumped hoping that at least Brandon had called me once. What is wrong with you, Ashley! You hate him. I scolded myself.  When I searched the log I found the same number. They - whoever they were were quite persistent at pestering me. It seemed like they had the intention to phone me.
I spent the night watching some tv. I did order room service before I slipped into a tormented sleep.
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Hey Guys!
I was going to add more drama to the end of this chapter but I decided that it already had enough...
So what did you think? I mean I was also quite shocked when Darren (her ex-boyfriend if you forgot) appeared.
Don't forget to please comment (I respond to all of them in my spare time) and vote!
I'll see you next update!
//From the future XD
A few changes were made to this chapter, so the comments might be a little confusing.