The Outlaw's Opposite~~Ashley Purdy

I crash down onto something hard, my head smashing off a sharp corner. I look up to see I fell out of bed and hit my forehead off my bedside table. I groan and lazily pick myself up off the floor. As I head to my bathroom, I see a bright green sticky note attached to my head board. Its simple letters brings back last night’s events, chilling me.

Call me—Ashley

And it lists off his number. I shrug gently and go to my bathroom. I almost gasp at my appearance. Booty shorts, a huge band aid across my left thigh, a leather jacket, a few hickeys going down my neck, a bruise on my cheek, bloodshot eyes, tear streaked skin, knotted hair and dark circles under my eyes. My dress is lying crumpled by the tub.

I let out a sigh and start my struggle to a manageable appearance. I hop in the shower, turning the water up as high as it goes. It scalds me, but I leave it. I aim to wash away the disgusting feel of the druggie’s skin against mine. I lather my hair with shampoo, rinse it, then conditioner. I wash my body and step out, not bothering to wrap a towel around my naked body.

A scratching fills the room. I grin, last night momentarily fading away. I open the door to reveal one of my cats—Diva. He’s a Russian blue. He’s sassy, hence the name Diva. “Hey boy!” I coo, shutting the door and grabbing my blow dryer and a hair brush. My thick hair quickly dries, despite my having to constantly stop to pet Diva. I straighten away the reddish-brown waves and brush through it one final time.

I get my makeup bag and take out foundation and concealer. I cover up the bruise and hickeys, glaring at them. I apply brown and cream eye shadow, blush, little amounts of eyeliner and lip gloss. I look down, only just realizing I’m still naked. I laugh a bit and slip on a knee length pair of jean capris and a floral sheer top with a bright, baby blue tank top underneath.

I head to my room, leaving all the stuff around my bathroom. I decide to call Ashley, wondering what he wants. “Hello?” He answers on the second ring. “Hey, um, it’s Natasha. You wanted me to call you?” I ask shyly, sitting on my bed with three of my four cats.
Rose, Charlie and Diva.

“Oh! Yeah, I was just wondering if you were alright? You cried yourself to sleep.” He says. I hear a dog bark in the background, a smile tugging on the corner of my lips. “Uh, yeah. I guess I’m ok. A little shaken up.” I reply, snuggling under the covers with Diva on my lap. A silence passes.

“Do you want to meet up for coffee?” I blurt out. I cover my mouth, not believing I just said that. He chuckles a bit. “Yeah, I’d like that. The café on 1st street? Two o’clock?” He suggests. I nod, checking my watch. In a half hour. “Okay. See you then.” I say, hanging up.
Diva licks my face.

“Hey!” I shout in surprise, pushing his head away while laughing. I pull up the camera, snapping ‘selfies’ with my cats. “Penny!” I call, clicking my tongue. The last cat of mine, a calico rushes in. She jumps up. I take some more pictures, setting one with Charlie—my youngest cat. A black kitten—and Rose—a reddish orange cat with a white belly—as my lock screen.

I get up, trying not to disturb my babies—my cats of course—and slip on plain black wedge heels. I get in my shitty ass car and drive the five minutes to the café. Ashley is already there, sitting at a table by himself with a coffee mug in his hands.

He has some makeup on although a lot less than at the bar last night. Heavy eyeliner and a bit of white powder to pale out his face. “Hi!” I greet, joining him at the table. He smiles an adorable, lopsided grin and greets me back. “Can I get you anything?” He asks politely, gesturing to the counter. “It’s fine, I can pay.” I lie. I really can’t afford anything I don’t need.
“I insist. A tea? Muffin?” He asks, standing up. I smile sweetly. “Uh, a tea please.” I say. He grins victoriously and walks to the counter. He orders it and brings it back with a handful of the little milk things and sugar packets. “Thanks.” I say, taking the mug and emptying some milk and sugar into it. I sip it uncomfortably, a heavy silence filling the air although Ashley doesn’t seem bothered by it.

“So, uh, you said you’re in a band?” I ask, suddenly remembering last night in the car. He grins, seemingly excited that I asked about it. “Yeah! Black Veil Brides. Me and the four other guys from the bar.” He explains. I gasp. “Really? My best friend loves you!” I cry. Neighboring tables stare at us. I blush.

“Would it be weird if I asked you to call her? She’d like… flip her shit!” I say with a nervous laugh, hoping he wouldn’t be upset. Gladly, he laughs and nods. “I’d love to!” He exclaims. I take out my phone and dial her number. “Hey Lindsay!” I shout into the phone. She groans. “This better be important! I have a bitching headache.” She whines. Lindsay James is my crazy best friend who loves to party.

“I have someone to say hi to you.” I mumble, trying to hide my excitement of doing this for her. She loves Ashley and CC—claiming one day she’ll marry them. Both of them. I pass the phone to Ashley. I can hear her grunt on the other line in annoyance. “Hi Lindsay. It’s Ashley Purdy!” He grins into the phone, waiting for her reaction.

He gasps and holds the phone away from his ear. I can hear her screaming. I laugh hysterically, happy I could do something nice for my friend. She always does things for me. Since I miscarried right after my fiancé died, she continuously tries to get me out of the house.

Ashley starts laughing along happily, obviously enjoying surprising one of his biggest fans. “Oh my god! Oh my fucking god!” She chants, her voice overjoyed. “I LOVE YOU!” She screams in her highest pitch. “I love you too, Lindsay!” He replies with a smile. “Ashley goddamn Purdy just said he loves me!” She squeals, obviously forgetting her hangover. “Yes I did! I love you!” He repeats. I grin back at him. “Okay, I’ve got to go, but it was nice listening to you scream.” He jokes, bidding her goodbye.

I take back my phone. “Why are you with Ashley?” She asks, still excited. “Last night, he uh, helped me and now we’re out for coffee.” I answer. “YOU ARE SO SO SO LUCKY!” Lindsay tells me. “Yes, I’m sure but I’ve got to go. Talk to you later.” I say, hanging up.

“Thanks so much Ashley.” I say gratefully. “She always tries to get me to go out.” I explain. “Why?” He asks, looking up at me. “Well, for the last two years or so, I just prefer to stay home. With my cats.” I mumble, hoping I won’t need to explain any further. I can’t even say my fiancé’s name—Lloyd—or the name we chose for our baby boy—Cory—without breaking down.

Unfortunately, luck isn’t on my side and he repeats his simple, one word question: “Why?”
I look up, tears gathering in the corners of my eyes. “I—I—um…” I stammer, avoiding eye contact. I get up quickly, spilling my tea everywhere. Ignoring Ashley’s calls and pleas, I sprint to my car in the drizzling rain and crawl into the driver’s seat. I begin to sob, starting the car.

The rain pounds down now, along with my tears. Two whole years since he died. Actually, today is the two and three month anniversary of his death. I miscarried a month and a half later. For a while I just got drunk, went out on dates, one night stands. But Lindsay got me back up; helped me through it. I haven’t went on a date since I gave up the alcohol, actually.
I start to wail, pounding my fist on the steering wheel. It just isn’t fair! Why? Why did he have to die? Even then, why did our baby have to die a fucking month later? It’s fucking cruel! Messed up! I let out an angry scream, turning onto the highway, towards Lindsay’s house.
The highways are slick. I’m driving 135 kilometers an hour. (A/N Sorry, I live in Canada.) I can’t see through my tears. The windshield wipers can’t wipe away the rain fast enough. I’m angry. Frustrated. Sad.

My car slides, my hands fall from the wheel. And I’m in the ditch.

Notes

Yay! Over 1500 words :) Hope you like <3