Sex & Sentiments Part Two// Ashton Irwin

Lonely & Lost

I nod.

"Indie, you're 17 years old.. you're not supposed to know exactly who you are or exactly what you want to do just yet. You're young. Time is on your side."

"I used to think that," I tell her trying to avoid her eyes, staring at my hands in my lap instead, "I used to think I had all the time in the world. I used to think I had a good grip on exactly who I was. I'm just starting to think, that maybe I have no idea."

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It was Monday. After I saw Ashton, I had switched my phone off for the rest of the weekend, and kept myself locked in my room. I wasn't sure why I was feeling so secluded. Things were changing. I knew that. I just felt like I was getting left behind.

By the time I switched my phone back on I had, had several missed calls and messages from my friends. I felt slightly guilty, but it was best for them if I kept my distance for a little while.

----

"Hey," Luke says when I arrive at my locker, "where have you been?"

"Just, dealing with stuff," I lie.

"Do you need to talk?" He asks, suddenly concerned.

"No," I tell him, giving him a reassuring smile, "no, I'm okay."

"You're coming to our gig this weekend right?"

"Of course," I tell him, taking out my books for my next class, "I wouldn't miss it."

He beams at me, before giving me a quick one armed hug.

When I made it to English, I saw Ashton waiting for me. I swayed in the door for a moment, before taking Calum's usual seat beside Emily instead.

"Hi?" Emily asks, confused, quickly glancing back to Ashton, who looks like he's just been slapped across the face.

"Hi," I say.

I see Calum enter the room, and look confused, before awkwardly moving to the back to take a seat by his band mate.

"Are you okay?" Emily whispers to me, as Witty enters the room.

"I'm fine." I tell her.

"So," Witty says, taking a seat on top of his desk, facing the rest of the class, "there have been a few rumours circulating lately. I might be slightly late to the game, but I'm here now, and as your former health teacher, there are a few things I would like to address."

For the first time I can ever remember, the whole class goes silent, and watches Witty intently. He had never looked this serious before.

"There seems to be a drug epidemic around not only this school, but the others around the district. As of this weekend, eleven students have been admitted to the hospital to have their stomachs pumped.."

My heart sinks. Emily places her hand on mine, in an effort to comfort me. It helps.

"I realise this may be uncomfortable for some of you to hear, and if any of you need to leave, you're free to."

Emily looks at me, but I shake my head. I want to stay.

"Unfortunately, it seems as though someone has passed away..."

There are a few hushed voices, and people begin looking around the room.

"Ms Neuman passed away this weekend." Witty says solemnly.

Instinctively I snap my head to her usual seat by Lana, but she's not there. Neither is Lana. It's a trick. It has to be a trick. This isn't happening. It's Paige... I hadn't known her that long, but she was still apart of my life. The good and the bad.