ASHTON.

Skye has been the only girl who has made me cry. I've been crying myself to sleep every night, even at home when I strike the punching bag hanging in the garage, I still cry. I punch until my knuckles bleed and I break down whispering to myself how stupid I am.

My dad runs over to me and pat me on the back, "don't blame yourself, kid. This isn't your fault."

I didn't have the energy to tell him that everything is my fault. My dad cupped my chin and made me look up, "do you love her?" I nodded and he asks again, "do you love her?"

"Yes, I do love her. I love her so much that it kills me." My voice cracks and my lower lip trembles.

"Don't make the same mistake that I did to your mom, Ashton. I didn't care for her when that was the only thing that she needed. I didn't do anything when she left, I didn't chase her. That was the biggest mistake of my life, I let go of the person I loved the most. Ashton, if you love someone, you should fight for them no matter what it takes. Fight for Skye, and I'll be proud of you."

Hearing those words from my dad was different than hearing it from someone else. If my psychiatrist said that, I wouldn't listen. I'd still go back to my old lifestyle. But this time, it's different. My dad raised me to be a fighter, not a quitter.

I wipe the dried blood from my knuckles and drove to Skye's house immediately. I know mister Nixon wouldn't be home so I took my chances and hoped that her mom or Patrick would be home.

"Ashton, what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here." Patrick whispers as he opens the door half way.

"I just want to know how she is."

"I've heard she's fine, she has a new boyfriend, which I'm sure isn't what you wanted to hear. I'm sorry, man. I-I didn't know what else to say."

Do you hear that? That's the sound of my heart breaking into a million pieces. But Skye wouldn't betray me like that, our relationship didn't even have closure.

"She's having her Christmas break right? When is she arriving?" I was being persistent with her brother now.

"You know I can't tell you that, our dad will kill you if he sees you two together again. He'll even file a restraining order if he needs to."

"Please, Patrick. I need to see her. I love her."

~~~~~~~~

SKYE.

It feels so good to be back home. I pull my luggage and turn on my phone to ask my parents where in the airport they'll pick me up. I look around and observe the fancy Christmas decorations around me. A huge tree was displayed in the middle of the waiting area, snowflakes spray painted on the windows, red and gold ornaments hanging on the ceiling.

"Skye," I suddenly hear a voice behind me.

"Ashton? You're not supposed to be here, my dad's going to see you!" I pull him to a corner but I couldn't help myself, I had to hug him. I needed to feel his warmth again.

"I missed you," I whisper. "But you're still not supposed to be here." I was stopping myself from crying, hugging him again, and possibly crashing my lips on his. It's been too long and I don't know what happened during the time I left because all I remember was that he walked away, not me. I'm supposed to be angry right now, but I'm so glad to see him too.

"Skye, I'm sorry for everything. I was wrong, I shouldn't have walked away and let you go like that. I cry myself to sleep at night just thinking about you. I never felt more broken inside. I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please, just give me one more chance. I'll make it up to you, I'll do everything just please I need you back."

I was crying now. Tears streamed down my face and Ashton was beginning to get teary-eyed too. I didn't know what to say because the last time I checked, he didn't chase after me when he should have. He lied to me, and I don't know how many more secrets he's hiding. I want to trust him again, I really do.

"Meet me tonight when the lights are all off." I tell him as I grabbed my bags and left.

I walked away as fast as I could, wiping the tears from my eyes and I suddenly bump into my dad. He was panting, like he chased someone.

"Where were you?" He asked, concern in his voice. I notice two airport guards standing behind him.

"Everything is okay now, sir? You found who you're looking for?" One guard said and my dad nodded.

"Thank you for the help, officers." Dad said.

"I was on my way out and got lost that's why I took so long, I'm sorry." I lie, looking behind me to check any trace of Ashton. No sign of him, he must have ran off when he saw my dad.

"Let's go, your mom is waiting in the car. I'm glad to have you back, Skye. We missed you." Dad says as he wraps his arms around my small torso. I missed them too, but I missed Ashton more.

\\

When we got back home, a nice dinner was being prepared by Patrick. Roast turkey, mashed potatoes and buttered vegetables laying on the dining table. Mom's fancy china plates were placed too.

"Isn't it too early for Christmas dinner?" I joke as I hugged my brother.

"Welcome back, sis." He greets, patting me on the back.

We all sat in silence as we ate, which was weird because we usually talk a lot during meals. Only small talk was brought up, such as how I was doing, is my room mate nice, how hard are my subjects, and the like. This is also what happened during the last night before I left. They knew I was bothered about Ashton and dad was the only one who wasn't really concerned because all he talked about was his experiences back in college and he gave me tips on how to survive. I didn't really listen, all I wanted to do that time was run to Ashton's house and tell him how messed up he is, but then again, he was the one who walked away.

"Skye?" I snap back to reality as I hear my mom call my name.

"Do you want dessert? We have ice cream in the freezer."

"No thanks, I'm good. I'll be in room if you need me." I say as I stand up from my chair to leave.

An hour later, I find myself just staring at my pale ceiling, counting the fairy lights hanging from corner to corner. I hear my dad open Rena's room, her door had this specific squeak that dad never fixed after she passed away. Patrick said that we turn her room into a family room where we could hang-out and play board games or something, but dad was furious and didn't want us to touch the room. He stays there every now and then to reminisce, I hear him cry sometimes too and it breaks my heart. He would play Rena's favorite CDs or light candles around the room to pray for her. It hurts to think that she was the apple of dad's eye before, but I realized that she was just like me too. All she wanted was to make my dad happy.

"Skye? Skye!" I heard a faint sound from outside my window and Ashton's tone registers in my head. The bad part was, my room was right next to Rena's, so dad will surely hear him as well. I was quick to run downstairs but my dad was quicker.

"What the hell are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to leave my daughter alone?!" He held a baseball bat in his hands, about to hit Ashton.

Ashton stumbled on his own feet as he tried to attempt to run. When my dad aimed for him, I jumped in front of Ashton and screamed, telling him to stop.

"Dad, stop! You'll kill him!!"

"Kiefer!!!!" I hear my mom shout from the doorway. Patrick ran to my dad to restrain him, pinning his arms back to get hold of the bat.

I cried on Ashton's chest and he held me tight, but then he suddenly shouted and pushed me out of the way. We looked behind us and saw that Rena's room was on fire, smoke from the windows escaping and dad swiftly ran inside.

"No! Dad!" I shouted, but he was already inside and Ashton ran after him.

The fire worsened, an explosion escaped the window and we all screamed not knowing what to do. I didn't let Patrick follow them inside because it was too dangerous. All we did was cry and pray. Two firetrucks arrived and the men ran into the house. I was crying too hard that everything that was happening was a blur.

Minutes passed and there was no sign of Ashton and my dad. I cried harder, but I attempted to run inside, only to be stopped by the firemen.

"Ashton! Dad!" I screamed in agony. "Let me go!!"

I was running out of breath and I was losing my voice, the light from the fire blinded my eyes. I suddenly heard loud coughing and it was Ashton, my dad looking weak as he pulled him free from the smoke engulfing the house. The medics quickly ran to them and I still couldn't break free from their grip. But Ashton heard my plead and pushed the medics away. He ran to me and kissed me as hard as he could, not giving a care in the world anymore.