“Trash…how?” I ask hesitantly, worried about the answer but curious nonetheless. “Pretty standard trash, but that doesn’t make him any less trashy - he cheated on you. I think.”

I raise an eyebrow at her, feeling my heart rate start to quicken. “You think? You can’t accuse someone of that on a whim, Alicia. Maybe you just misunderstood?” She frowns at me.

“Ashie, my source is reliable. And I know you like to see the good in everyone, but standing up for a walking piece of garbage is not a good look on you.” I open and close my mouth. Can’t deny her that.

“So, who’s this source? Megan?” I lean forward a little. “What? No. You. You’re the one who told me he cheated.” I inhale sharply. “Man, that sucks.” Alicia twiddles her thumbs. “What is it? Is that not the end?”

I frown “oh don’t tell me I forgave him or some other bullshit!” Her gaze leaps up to mine “oh fuck no, we raised you better than that. You dumped him right there and then.” She bites her lip, then continues.

“This…happened right before the accident, actually.” I sit up very straight. “Huh?” Alicia swallows, shaking her head and closing her eyes. “You called me. You said you found out that maggot was cheating, so you dumped his ass and called me right away.”

She exhales shakily, meeting my gaze. “Asher, I was on the phone with you when you were hit by the car.” The tears begin cascading down her cheeks and she clings onto me. “Hey hey, Allie, I’m ok. I’m fine, yeah? Everything turned out ok.”

I can feel my own cheeks dampen as Alicia continues on. “I…it was my fault. I—I distracted you, and you didn’t see the car.” She pulls away, trying to gauge my reaction.

“Ash I’m so sorry, this happened because of me!” I grab her hand “no! I probably didn’t look! You-“ I wipe my eyes with my sleeve. “Allie you did nothing wrong!” We cry on each other for I don’t even know how long - long enough to get it all out.

“Asher?” Laurence calls from the hallway. “Shit.” I glance back at Alicia. “In my room!” I call back.

“How shitty do I look right now?”

Alicia smiles “on a scale of 1-10, 1 being shit shit, and 10 being hot shit, I’d say a solid 2.” I can always count on Alicia for honesty,

I grit my teeth “just perfect.” Alicia smirks, standing up from my bed. I scowl. “Don’t look so cocky; you’re a fat 3 yourself.” She bounds over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“I win,” she breathes down my neck as I roll my reddened eyes. “Congratulations, someone give this woman a sticker.” My door opens, and I watch Laurence’s reaction to me and my sister in real time.

It’s like watching a spin wheel containing every emotion. His expressions lands on amusement.

“Wow, who cut some onions?” Laurence chuckles, smiling at me. There goes his fucking mole again. “Ha ha very funny” I say as I pull away from Alicia.

“Alicia, meet Laurence, my roommate” I say when she gives me a look. “Laurence, this is one of my sisters, Alicia.” Laurence extends his hand to Alicia, which she takes and shakes vigorously.

“Jesus Christ, Allie, are you trying to take the man’s hand off??” This woman is known for her…painful? handshakes. She grins toothily at us both. “Just checking him out, don’t mind me.”

Laurence raises an eyebrow. “Do I pass whatever test this is?” She releases his hand, placing hers on her hips. “Of course, how can I not when you’re a hottie” she grins at me again and I feel the heat shoot to my ears.

“Anyway, anyone fancy some tea?” I ask, hurrying past Alicia and Laurence to reach the kitchen. They’re already happily chatting away, which was fairly expected. They’re both charming and sociable.

Unlike a certain black-haired, green-eyed amnesiac.

“So, Laurence, have you ever played the violin for Asher?” Alicia joins us at the table, taking the seat to my left. Laurence shifts in his chair “no, I never practice at home - don’t want to disturb anyone with my shitty screeching.”

I snort. “Honey I’m sure there’s nothing you’re shitty at.” Laurence smirks at me. “I’m sure we could find something…” we stare at each other “sounds like a fun challenge”, I retort.

Alicia cackles, snapping us out of our reverie. “Oh my actual God, Ashie, is this how you guys flirt?? Please no this is atrocious!”

I blush harder than from whatever ‘moment’ Laurence and I just had. Laurence sits back “I dunno, it’s pretty cute. Like he has an idea of what he wants to actually say but then chickens out before the words reach his lips.”

I laugh. “I can’t tell if I feel comforted or called out”