Part 13

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A/N: Hiii. So I just want to point on that there will be some POV changes in this chapter. That's it! :) Happy readings! Vote? Comment? Love.

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[Ashton's POV]


My fingers tapped melodically against the countertop as my eyes once again turned up to look at the clock on the opposite wall. 3:38pm. I groaned inwardly getting an odd look from one of the few customers in the shop. Today just wasn't my day.

Charlie was leaving again. Really, I get it, she has this whole other life to get back to but it made me upset that we had only been able to talk a few times. This morning I was pleasantly surprised when her name flashed on the screen of my phone. All good feelings were lost when she explained to me that she was being called back to LA sooner than she had expected. Now how was I supposed to get to know her?

Charlie's flight departed at seven tonight and my shift at work wouldn't be over until a little after five. I was worried I would miss seeing her, much like three years ago. I'd be devastated if that happened again.

To say I didn't still have a crush on her would be an absolute lie. I had finally admitted it out loud to Michael a few nights ago when he had dragged me out to the bar and I had gotten a little tipsy. Alcohol and I just should not be friends. It seems as though whenever we get together I always do or say something stupid.

But Michael liked to drink, and after about a week of his idiotic banter I decided that he could actually be a good guy to have around. I guess also it was because I thought finally having a friend my own age might be good for me. Not saying that I didn't love spending time with my grandmother, it's just that she's 86 and has cancer so there really isn't much we can get up to together.

My eyes turned back up toward the clock, an audible grunt of annoyance causing the teenage girl, who had come up to pay for her items, to take a step away from the counter. I gave her an apologetic look before mumbling a 'sorry' and then began ringing up her things.

It was very obvious to me, unlike it was to Michael, that Charlie did not reciprocate any of the feelings I had toward her. And as much as I wanted it to be different, I knew that having her as a friend was just as important. So for now that's all we were going to be.


[Charlie's POV]

I check the time on my phone once again to see that it was nearly five. I sighed heavily as I stood from my sitting position on the front porch of my house finally going back inside. My feet dragged across the kitchen tiles as I took a seat at the table, sad that this would be my last home cooked meal for I don't even know how long.

When I got a call from my manager as six o'clock this morning I knew it wasn't going to be good news. She told me that because my first single was getting so much attention they had decided to book me for a show back in LA. I'd be opening for Ariana Grande. Honestly, I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn't pass it up but I still felt the slightest bit uneasy about it. So now I'd be leaving Arizona two weeks earlier than I had originally planned.

There was only one person in this town that I needed to say goodbye to and if he didn't show up soon I would miss my chance all together. I did not have a crush on him. Sure Ashton was probably the sweetest guy I've ever met and was also extremely good looking, and sure we got along really well but I lived in LA and he had important things to take care of here. So for now we would just be friends.

"Honey, would you stop?!" My mother laughed from her position on the couch next to my father.

I knew she was a little stressed about me making my flight, but she also understood how important it was for me to say goodbye to Ashton. So instead of voicing her worried opinions, she sat as quietly as she could on the couch. I on the other hand stood anxiously by the living room window, peering out every so often for any sightings of Ashton's red truck.

"Eek!" I practically jumped out of my skin as I heard a knock on the front door.

Looking out the window on last time, I craned my neck to see Ashton's pick-up parked down the street a ways. I hurried toward the front hall, wasting no time unlocking the door and pulling it open.


[Ashton's POV]

I tugged nervously at the collar of my shirt as I made my way up the steps to the Brennan household. Why I had taken so much time just sitting in my truck, I couldn't tell you. When I pulled down the street I thought for sure that I had missed her, but the two cars parked in the driveway told me otherwise.

My knuckles tapped forcefully against the wooden door. Moments later the sounds of the lock turning instantly had my heart racing. There in the doorway stood a very excited girl, who to my surprise pulled me into a hug before any words could be spoken.

"I didn't think you were going to make it in time," She said once we had separated.

"Yeah." My cheeks red from her sudden show of affection, "Neither did I."

It didn't take long for her mother to appear in the front hall, telling Charlie that she should get her things packed into the car. Before either of them could make a move, I stepped around them and grabbed the large duffle bag and small suitcase.

"I'll do it," I spoke quietly.

I threw a smile and a nod toward Mr. Brennan as he stood from the couch in the living room. Charlie followed after me and down the front steps toward her mother's car. The car made a horrendous noise to signal it was unlocked before Charlie opened the hatch of the trunk.

"Thanks." I smiled down at her as she stepped aside, allowing me access to the back of the car.

Once everything was safely in the trunk and the door was closed, I turned around to face her. Charlie was already staring at me and I felt nerves start to build once again. Shoving my hands deep in my front pockets I smiled at her sheepishly, not really knowing what to say. I also hadn't taken notice of her parents watching us from the porch.

"You're going to call me, right?" She finally broke the silence.

I stared down at her questioningly. Why would she think that I would just stop talking to her?

"Cause, you know, you're like the only one in this town that treats me like a real person." She looked away like she was embarrassed to admit it.

"We're friends now, of course I'm going to call you." The word 'friends' left a bad taste in my mouth.

"Good because I don't want to loose you," She paused, her cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink, "As a friend."

"Hun." Her mother broke us from our staring contest, "We better get going."

"Oh, okay." She finally tore her eyes from me to look over at her mother.

"Thanks so much for coming, Ashton." Her mom smiled before getting into the driver's seat.

"So I guess this is goodbye." Charlie looked up at me sadly.

But I could only smile, "For now."

She bounced happily on her toes as she wrapped her arms around my shoulders bring me down into another hug. My arms wrapped around her waist tightly, as I stood to full height bringing her up with me. An adorable squeak escaped her lips as her toes now just barely touched the ground, her arms only tightening around me in hopes of keeping her balance.

"Ash!" She laughed once her feet were firmly planted on the ground again. I could only shrug and grin down at her reddening face.

After another moment, I was helping her into the car and closing the door behind her. Charlie waved one last time through the windshield as her mom backed out of the driveway. I felt a hand on my shoulder as I turned to see Mr. Brennan standing next to me.

"Don't worry, son." He shot me a reassuring smile, "You'll get your chance."

I felt no shame as I nodded my head in agreement before turning back to see their car just disappearing around a corner.

"Yeah, maybe someday."

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