Playlist for this Chapter:
Alicia Keys - Falling
James Bay - Bad
Bachelor Girl - Do it again

Ashton

Bottle after bottle.

Hour after hour after..fuck, how long have I been here? I stand up but stagger, bumping into random people who try to steady me.

I pull out some cash from my pocket and toss it at the bartender.

"Keep the change" I instruct him before making my way to the door. Well, trying to.

I get outside and look around for my ride, steadying myself against some car. Unfortunately, the driver got out and she looked like she was having a bad day already. Yikes.

"Why on earth are you day drinking? Look at you! You look like shit" she has the nerve to say to me.

I squint my eyes and try to register who the fuck this was. Nope, all a daze. I can't even see straight with the place spinning and my head pounding.

"Excuse me but who the fuck are you again? I me-mean I'm leaning on your car here b-but don't talk to me like you know me, okay?" I set her straight before pushing myself off her damn car and staggering over to mine.

Suddenly there was a firm grip on my arm and I was pulled back, causing me to almost lose my stepping.

"Oh no you don't, you're coming with me" the same fucking girl says to me, pulling me towards her car. This might aswell be called kidnapping because she was shoving me into her backseat. Who the fuck is this?! The last thing I hear is her slamming the door shut and getting into the driver's seat. Guess I pretty much blacked out after that.

**

Kaia

My Sunday morning was peaceful. I moved my stuff into the apartment with ease and at my own pace. Mom and Gio were out so I decided to do things on my own. She'd be shocked when she gets back, both of them would because this place looks great. It's also not so bare anymore 'cause I decided to hang some of my paintings that I 'borrowed' from the studio downstairs. Everything is perfect. If only my life was this easy, I'd move stuff around, decorate abit and life would be great. Too bad it's not and I guess that's what sucks the most.

Mom and Gio came back laughing and talking, they were making their way up to see me.

I opened the door before there was a knock, suprising both of them.

"Psychic now?" Gio says, walking past me to look around the place.

"Let's see what you've done with the place. I'm so excited" Mom squeals, moving pass me slowly.

"It looks great" Gio says, settling by the window.

"You've done a great job sweetie and it didn't take forever" Mom comments, patting me on the back.

"Funny. Anyway I'm gonna hop in the shower now, this was a workout" I announce, heading to the shower.

"I'll make us some tea" mom claps happily.

My phone buzzes on the bathroom sink while I'm stripping out of my sweaty clothes. I look at the screen and don't recognise the number. That's odd.

I swipe to answer anyway.

"Hello?" I say lowly, a little anxious since I didn't know who it was.

"Hi, is this Collins?" The voice on the other end says to me. It's a female but I don't really know who.

"Yes, um it's Kaia. I'm sorry but who is this?" I asked.

"Great, I'm gonna need you to come downtown to the station. You were listed down as an emergency contact" she tells me. By this time I'm beyond clueless.

"I'm sorry, what?! I don't know what you're talking about. I think you have the wrong person" I said to her.

"Nope, you're the one. Be here by 5pm please" she says smartly before hanging up on me.

I quickly showered and got dressed, thinking of what to tell my mother. She would freak if I told her that I was going to the police station. It wasn't even three pm so I guess I had time to have tea with her and let her be on her way back home. That way I wouldn't have to involve her. I'm not even sure about what's going on.

The three of us sat in the living room having tea and biscuits. I tried not to zone out too often or mom would notice. It's a good thing Gio was the one with all the stories because my mind was blank. All I could do was pitch in every now and then and crack a laugh at the funny bits.

After receiving a call from Ally, mom decided it was time to head back home.

"Allyson is so childish. I'll have to leave now, Kaia. I was planning on going back tomorrow but it seems your sister can't live on her own just yet" mom tells me.

"Guess you won't be getting lonely any time soon" I laughed.

"No way" mom chuckles. "I'll teach her to be independant. Just watch, next time you call her she'll be staying on her own."

"Good luck with that mother" I respond, standing up to take our mugs to the sink.

Mom follows me into the kitchen, her bag and keys in her hand.

"Kaia, I wanted to say something" she says with a smile.

"What is it?" I reply instantly, hoping she didn't notice my behavior.

"I just wanted to say" she begins, stroking my hair like she always did. "Don't be afraid to be on your own. Learn to be independant, to be successful and to achieve your goals without depending on others."

I nod without saying a word. I know exactly what she means.

"I know things are downhill right now for you and that boy but don't ever forget how brilliant you are. With or without him. It's true you are each other's rocks and I believe you will fix things in time, but don't let your separation slow down your journey of finding yourself and chasing your dreams, okay?"

By now I was tearing up and so was she. I hugged mom so tight, swaying her from side to side. I'm so fortunate to have someone to lean on, to give me advice and to guide me. I don't know what I would do without her.

"I appreciate and love you so much mom" I remind her.

"Aw, I love you too sweetie. Always" mom says, wiping away a few of her tears.

"You guys are too much, I'll be out front" Gio chips in, removing his glasses to wipe his teary eyes. It was the first time I saw Gio with another emotion other than angry. It was nice.

**

I arrived downtown at around four pm and made my way over to the station. My heart was beating a mile a minute and my head was blank. I had no idea why I was called here. I just hope it's not Dani who's in trouble.

I walked into the station and was almost immediately greeted by the last person I expected to see, and here too at a police station.

"Well, you made it" she greets me, that same smirk on her face. I know that look too well and it's not the most pleasant one too.

"Was it you that called me, Yvonne?" I asked her, already feeling irritated being this close to her. So she's kind of a cop now. How the hell did that happen? She was a rebel last time I saw her.

"Yeah, yeah, anyway come with me sweetie" she takes me down a couple of holding cells till we reached the last one occupied by an even more familiar face. I stood there shocked. I wasn't expecting another suprise so soon.

"My gosh, Ashton" I gasped. "What the hell happened to you?"