Social Casualty

*Ashton* Chapter 11

“Okay, Addy, you are going to flip out! You’re gonna love your birthday present,” I say. Addy, the other girls, Luke, Cal, and Mikey sit around the table. I make all the girls close their eyes.
“What is it?” Addy asks.
“I’m putting it in your hand right now,” I say, and lay the tickets in her open palm. Her eyes fly open, as do the other girls.
“OMG! YOU GOT ME MAGCON TICKETS! I’M GOING TO MEET THEM! OMG! I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE SHAWN!” Addy screams. The other girls freak out, when they see the four tickets. I roll my eyes, as the other guys do the same.
“I’M GONNA MEET CARTER! OMG!” Hayley screams.
“I’M GONNA MEET CAM! YAAASSS!” Reign shrieks.
“I’M GONNA MEET NASH! I’M GONNA DIE!” Amber squeals.
While the girls have their fangirl attack, we just sit watching them. We stand and walk into the living room. The girls follow, dying because of their fangirl attack. We stand and wait. They finally calm down and all tackle me in a giant hug. Okay, then.
“Calm down. They’re just tickets,” I laugh. Addy, Reign, Amber, and Haley all stare at me with wide eyes.
“They are not just tickets, Ashton!” Reign literally yells in my face.
“Why are they so famous anyway?” Luke asks.
“No!” I shout.
“No!” Mikey and Calum shout.
“Story time!” all the girls shout at the exact same time. I groan and Hayley pulls me onto the couch. Addy runs off to get her laptop. Mikey, Cal, and Luke are pulled onto the couch and the girls start.
They tell each and every one of their life stories and then show us every single one of their videos.
“Okay, this is Carter, this is Aaron, this is Taylor, this is…” Hayley says naming them. I zone her out and next thing I know, BAM! I’m asleep.

*Addy*

3 months later…

“C’mon guys! Let’s go!” I shout, as the other girls get out of the car. I can’t believe we actually got special tickets to meet them in person!
We walk towards the building and go inside. There are so many girls. We walk up to the VIP ticket counter and give them our special tickets. A group of security guards walk out to get us through the crowd faster. We thank them, and they lead us towards the front, where the boys are located, talking amongst themselves.
A security guard steps up and tells them our names. “Um, this is Adelaide, Reign, Hayley, and Amber,” he says, before stepping back.
“Hi guys!” Cam says. “This is Nash, Carter, Hayes, Jack J., Jack G., Matt, Shawn, Taylor, and Aaron!” The other guys wave and say hi.
“It’s so cool to meet you!” Hayley gushes. “Carter, I’m a big fan!” she says.
“Thanks Hayley!” Carter says. “I’m officially a big fan too!” he says. He kisses her on the cheek and gives her a hug. Hayley starts jumping up and down. I thought she was going to die.
“Can I get a picture?” she asks.
“Yeah, of course,” Carter says, smiling and nodding. He takes a selfie with her and smiles. “You guys are awesome,” he says. “Therefore, I will now follow all of you on Twitter.” At this, we all jump up and down and freak out. I see that the other guys start following us too. OMG!
I ask Shawn for a picture and to sing and he says, “Of course!” I videotape him singing. Gosh, he’s amazing. Reign and Amber ask Nash and Cam for pictures and they say yes.
“Okay, let’s get this party started!” Matt shouts in the microphone. All the girls in the crowd go crazy.

-Skip the rest-

“You guys were amazing! Hope we see you again!” Shawn yells, as we walk outside, into the pouring rain. I shield my head from the rain with my jacket as we run towards our car. We jump in and turn up the music. The song is Lips Are Movin by Meghan Trainor.

If your lips are movin
If your lips are movin
If your lips are movin,
Then you’re lying, lying, lying, baby

If your lips are movin
If your lips are movin
If your lips are movin,
I said you’re lying, lying, lying, baby

Boy, look at me
You’re in my face
Tell me that you’re not just about this bass
You really think I could be replaced?
Nah, I come from outer space

And I’m a classy girl
Imma hold it up
You full of something,
But it ain’t love
What we got,
Is straight overdue
Go find somebody new

You can buy me diamond earrings and
Deny-ny-ny Ny-ny-ny Deny-ny-ny
But I smell her on your collar, so
Goodbye-bye-bye Bye-bye-bye

I know you’re lying
Cause your lips are movin
Tell me, do you think I’m dumb?
I might be young,
But I ain’t stupid
Talking around in circles with your tongue

I gave you bass
You gave me sweet talk
Saying, how you’re number one
But I know you’re lying
Cause your lips are movin
Baby, don’t you know I’m done?

“Ugh! Stop! I can’t take this crap anymore!” Reign shouts.
“Hey! That was my jam!” I shout back.
“Shut up! No one cares!” Hayley shouts.
“Turn it back on!” Amber shouts.
“It’s a stupid song!” Reign shouts.
“Go die in a hole!” I shout back.
“You go die in a hole!” Haley shouts.
“All of you go die, and turn the song back on while you’re at it!” Amber shouts, flipping it to a different station and different song. Yes! I love this song! It’s Photograph by Nickelback.

Look at this photograph
Every time, it ever makes me laugh
Why did our eyes get so red?
And what the hell is on Joey’s head?

And this is where I grew up
I think the present owner fixed it up
I never knew we’d ever wear it out
The second floor was mine for sneaking out

And this is where I went to school
Most of the time, I had better things to do
Criminal record says I broke in twice
I must have done it half a dozen times

I wonder if it’s too late
Should I go back and try to graduate?
Life’s better now than it was back then
If I was then, I wouldn’t let me in
Oh, oh, oh, oh, God, I-I

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have a photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It’s time to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the prison I was looking for
It’s time to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Goodbye

Remember the old arcade
Blew every dollar that we ever made
The cops hate us hanging out
They say somebody went and wrote it down

We used to listen to the radio
And sing along with every song we ever know
We said someday, we’d find out how it feels
To sing to more than just a steering wheel

Well, Kale’s the first girl I kissed
I was so nervous that I nearly missed
She’s had a couple kids since then
I haven’t seen her in God knows when
Oh, oh, oh, oh, God, I-I

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have a photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It’s time to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the prison I was looking for
It’s hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

I miss that town
I miss the faces
You can’t erase
You can’t replace it

I miss it now
I can’t believe it
A mistake
Too hard to leave it

I can relive those days
I know the one thing that would never change

Every memory of looking out the back door
I have a photo album spread out on my bedroom floor
It’s time to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Every memory of walking out the front door
I found the photo of the prison I was looking for
It’s hard to say it, time to say it
Goodbye, goodbye

Look at this photograph
Every time, it ever makes me laugh
Every time, it ever makes me

I’m crying by the end of the song. This is so true.
“This describes us perfectly!” Reign says. “Going on tour with the boys! Dropping out of school. Everything! I miss our old friends!”
“I love this song so much!” Hayley says.
“Shut up!” I yell. “Another Nickelback song is coming on!” We all quiet down and listen to If Today Was Your Last Day.

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said, each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned
Leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take, is the longest stride

If today was your last day,
And tomorrow was too late,
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?
If today was your last day

If today was your last day

Against the grange should be a way of life
What’s worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts
Cause there’s no second try

So live it like you’re never living twice
Don’t take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day,
And tomorrow was too late,
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you’re dreaming of?

Swear up and down to God above?
That you’d finally fall in love?
If today was your last day

If today was your last day,
Would you make your mark,
By mending a broken heart?

You know it’s never too late,
To shoot for the stars
But God knows who you are,
So, do whatever it takes

Cause you can’t rewind
I’m woven in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
Cause it’s your time
I’m ever on your side

If today was your last day,
And tomorrow was too late,
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you’re dreaming of?

Swear up and down to God above?
That you’d finally fall in love?
If today was your last day

“Ugh! Why are their songs so amazing?” Amber says. “The feels!” she says.
“Omg! Another one is coming on! Yes! I love this one!” Reign says.

Oh, I know the feeling
Of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge
And there ain’t no healing
You’ve gotten yourself with the jagged edge

I’m telling you
That, it’s never that bad
Take it by the sons and the way of right
But laid out on the floor,
And you’re not sure,
You can take this anymore

So just give it one more try,
With the lullaby,
Turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now,
I’m reaching out
To let you know that you’re not alone

And you can tell,
I’m scared as hell
Cause I can’t get you on the telephone

So, just close your eyes
Well, honey here comes a lullaby
There ain’t no lullaby

Please, never take you
Out of the time you sent into the light
Cause I have faith in you
That you’re gonna make it through another night

Stop thinking about the easy way out
There’s no need to go and burn the candle out
Because you’re not done
You’re far too young
And the best is yet to come

So give it one more try,
With the lullaby
Turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now,
I’m reaching out
To let you know that you’re not alone

And you can tell,
I’m scared as hell
Cause I can’t get you on the telephone

So, just close your eyes
Well, honey here comes a lullaby
There ain’t no lullaby

Everybody’s seeing the bottom
Everybody’s being forgotten
Well, everybody’s tired of being alone

Yeah, everybody’s being abandoned
And left a little empty-handed
So if you’re out there, barely hanging on

Just give it one more try,
With the lullaby
Turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now,
I’m reaching out
To let you know that you’re not alone

And you can tell,
I’m scared as hell
Cause I can’t get you on the telephone

So, just close your eyes
Well, honey here comes a lullaby
There ain’t no lullaby
Well, honey here comes a lullaby
There ain’t no lullaby

*Hayley*

As the song ends, I’m wailing. I can’t stop thinking of Ashton, when he cut himself and was on his way to the hospital.

-Flashback-

Why won’t he answer his phone? Ashton, answer the phone. I’m scared as hell. I walk into his house and find him with a blade on the floor. I’m reaching out, Ashton. Here comes a lullaby. You’ll be okay. I have faith in you. You’ll make it through another night. Stop thinking about the easy way out.
You’re far too young. You aren’t done. Give it one more try, Ashton. For me. I dial 911. You’re not alone, Ash. You aren’t alone in this. I know it’s hard but you can do it. You’ll do it. Just breath, baby. I know you’ve been forgotten, abandoned, left empty-handed, and tired of being alone. I know you’re barely hanging on, but you can do this. I have faith.
I love you. The sirens come closer and closer. The police come. I love you, Ash. They pull him away and Addy runs to me.
Are you okay, she asks. I feel like my ears are underwater. I can’t hear right. I’m not okay. Ashton’s barely hear. It’s going to be okay, Ash. He isn’t sure if he can take this anymore, but I know he can. I love you.

-End of Flashback-

“Hayley, calm down,” Addy says. “It’s okay. He’s okay now,” she says, through her tears. She was crying too. It’s okay. I understand. We all end up crying and we pull over.
“I’m sorry, guys,” I say. “Sorry for breaking down.”
“It’s fine, Hayley,” Reign says. “I would’ve done the same. Just…don’t worry. He’s alright now.” I nod and smile. She turns around and flips the radio back on to When We Stand Together by Nickelback.
“It’s like a Nickelback marathon!” Amber says, laughing. We all laugh and silently listen to Nickelback.
When we arrive at the band house, I run to Ashton to make sure he’s okay.
“Baby, I’m fine,” he says, laughing.
“I know. I just had to make sure. I had a flashback,” I say. His smile turns to a frown. He knows what she is talking about.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “But I’m fine. That was the past.”
“I know,” I say. I wrap my arms around his waist and just stand there, hugging him.
“I love you, Hayley,” he says.
“I love you too,” I say. He picks me up, bridal-style and carries me to the couch. He lays down with me beside him. I wrap my arms around his waist again and hold him tight. I fall asleep to him singing Lullaby by Nickelback, the song that made me cry.

Notes

I know I said I would update! Sorry!!!! This is like 9 pages so hope you enjoy it! I love you all!
-Emily x

Addy's outfit to meet Magcon: http://www.polyvore.com/meeting_magcon/set?id=151833045