? |DREAMS TO REALITY| ? [SCHOOLBUSGRAVEYARD X READER]

CHAPTER 39 - Opening Up

A memory flashed in his mind - the moment Ashlyn hit her head on the ceiling of the house, blood seeping from the wound. He could still vividly recall that moment.

Ashlyn wasn't sure if he was talking to Y/N or her, but her confusion cleared up when he started walking towards her. His hand reached out and gently touched the back of her head as Y/N turned to face him. His touch made her feel a bit flustered, but strangely comforted.

"...I'm sorry. I didn't think me getting hurt meant you both would too." he said.

FLASHBACK - [IN THE PHANTOM DIMENSION]

Y/N thought she was going to slide off the roof, but then a strong grip on the girl's wrist saved her. She grunted as she felt herself being held in this position. Glancing up, she could see Ashlyn struggling, sweat beading on her face as she looked at her with a sad expression

Y/N thought, 'Ashlyn?' Her vision was a bit blurry as she squinted.

Ashlyn held onto Y/N's arm and pulled her along, with Y/N also helping herself up. Aiden then brought the two girls close and hugged Y/N tightly. He held them on each side of his shoulder as Y/N rested her head on his shoulder, feeling exhausted and shocked. She could feel his grip on her back, the fabric scrunching up as he clenched it, his hands trembling.

Aiden's mind raced as he saw the two girls in danger. When he saw Y/N almost meet her end, he froze, unable to speak. Even with his injury, he felt his whole world shatter. There was a ringing in his ears, his body trembling, heart racing.

He felt like he was blanking out, but still conscious. In that moment of crisis, he didn't know what to do. He feared losing control, unsure of what would happen. But seeing her alive made him grateful. He didn't want to entertain negative thoughts, just relieved that she was alive, that they were alive.

"...I'm sorry." he whispered in a shaky voice, almost on the verge of tears. His voice trembled with fear as he was scared to see them almost get killed.

"Aiden, I agree with you, but now is not the right time-" Ashlyn said, cutting herself off as she felt Aiden tremble.

'Ugh... Why does he have to make me feel this way, stupid idiot...' Y/N wanted to push him away, but he held her tight. Suddenly, she heard him mumble something.

"Y/N, please don't push me away... please."

Even though Y/N didn't want to say anything out loud, she was scared for her life. Literally, her life was almost over if not for them. She wanted to cry, really she did, but she forced herself not to. This embrace made her feel safe, she felt secure with them around, and she wanted to continue feeling safe. Eventually, she decided to stop thinking and just hold him too.

"Thank you..."

FLASHBACK END

As she looked back at the blonde man, she could see the hurt in his eyes. The pain he must have felt when he almost lost his friends.

Wait- friends?

Did she even consider him, or any of them, her friends?

She asked herself that same question again, and to this day she is still unsure. But after spending so much time with them, she had a change of heart. Maybe it was her denial that was holding her back, making her believe she didn't need friends. However, as she recalled those shared memories with the group, she realized something. Those cherished memories were hard to admit, but she felt a spark.

"Um... Yeah. It's fine." Y/N slowly pulled her hand away as he released his grip.

"AH-, am I too close?" He noticed this and quickly moved his hand away from Ashlyn's head, bringing it back towards his own head. "To be honest I'm still confused about the boundary thing. I've never tried to get close with someone like you."