A/N: Um, hi guys, I know it has been a while and sorry for that. Hope you all have had a good new year so far, so in this chapter oh boy do I have a twist for you guys. So enjoy yourself and be sure to leave a review you all know I love reading them. Also the chapter name is taken from the Green Day song Whatsername.
Hoeseeno- You don't like it don't read it, I wrestled 145lbs and yes some of the refs were like that and last time I checked high school was different for everybody. Also the story is supposed to be from Ashley's POV mostly, so of course at first everything doesn't make much sense.
No Account- I know it has been a while but here you go, glad you enjoyed the show, if you thought that was good just wait for this show.
Anonymous Noob the 2nd- Thank you for the kind words, hope you enjoy the story.
Riverat73- Happy new year to you as well, glad you are enjoying the story. Enjoy the chapter.
CB73- So much happened last chapter and once again you leave a review that has such insight and depth. The path to hell is paved with good intentions and now her parents get to deal with the aftermath as does Hayden. Oh and by the way I got you another big tub of popcorn because by the end of this chapter you will be throwing it high in the air and screaming WHAT?!" Happy New year to you as well.
Happy New year to all and be sure to leave a review, as you can see I read them all.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Mexican ;p
To my Fiancee who just got a new job, I'm so proud of you and I know you will do wonderfully.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything... Sadly.
Tuesday, December 31st 2019
It had been just over two weeks since Hayden and Ashley had gotten together, as friends and as a couple. Things have been going well between the two, a few movies or just spending time at Hayden's house. Ashley was still furious with her parents and only ever spoke to them when it was necessary. It made for a tense and awkward Christmas in the Hofferson household. Her parents knew better than to try and gain her forgiveness through gifts, so they only got her things that they knew she would want or needed. A few new shirts and pants, new laptop for college, some candy, and a few gift cards. She thanked them like she would have done anyway there just wasn't the same look in her eye when she did and everyone knew why.
She had told Hayden about the fight with her parents. Told him what they had done and why they thought they needed too. She nearly broke down again until Hayden brought her into his embrace and calmed her down. She was so incredibly happy to have Hayden back in her life.
The two of them did get each other something for Christmas as well. It sort of doubled as getting back together as friends and starting off their new relationship. Hayden got Ashley a small necklace with a heart shaped pendant on it. There were tiny diamonds and sapphires in it and it hung beautifully around Ashley's neck, and if a few tears escaped her eyes when she opened the box Hayden never said anything. For Hayden, she got him a gift card to his favorite vape shop and a necklace with a small key pendant on it. He looked confused until she explained that it was the key to her heart. It felt incredibly sappy, cheesy, a little embarrassing, and something that came right out of a Nicholas Spark book. When Hiccup kissed her though everything just melted away.
Now it was New Year's Eve and Ashley was on her way to Hayden's house. His parents were throwing a party and he had obviously invited her over. She was happy and excited to reign in the New Year with him and just wanted it to be midnight already. She was arriving early, like she had done before and pulled up into what was becoming her spot. She got out and walked up to the door and let herself in, she couldn't help but smile that she was allowed to do this now.
"Hello Ashley." Valerie greeted her sweetly.
"Hello Valerie." She greeted back.
Hayden's parents and herself had gotten on a lot better since their first meeting a month ago. She was able to get on with them nicely and the awkwardness was slowly dissipating.
"Where is Sebastian?" Ashley asked as she looked around.
"Oh, he is out getting some last-minute supplies and Hayden is up in his room." She answered as she made her way into the kitchen.
"Thanks." Ashley answered as she made her way up the stairs.
She smiled as she approached the door and was just getting ready to open it when she heard a massive sigh and the sound of a drawer being opened. Her brow furrowed in confusion and then she heard a small beep, indicating that Hayden had turned on his stereo. There was a moment of silence and then she heard the familiar sound of a high tap symbol and guitar chords float through the air. She recognized the song as Whatsername, a Green Day song that she knew due to Hayden listening to the band a lot. She tried to figure out why Hayden would listen to this song, it was quite sad and not at all fitting to reign in the New Year. With a breath, she opened the door as quietly as she could and walked in to see Hayden sitting on his bed staring a small picture.
"Thought I ran into you down on the street, then it turned out to only be a dream. I made a point to burn all of the photographs, she went away and then I took a different path. I remember the face but I can't recall the name. Now I wonder how whatsername has been."
Ashley could hear Hayden softly singing along and here him chuckle despairingly at certain parts of the lyrics. Pushing onward she took a few steps closer, seemingly unknown to Hayden and took a closer look at the photograph. She gasped when she saw that it was a picture of a girl, she was beautiful, long black hair, beautiful deep brown eyes, sun kissed skin, and a adorable half smile that showed her playful nature. It was in that moment that Ashley realized that this was Maria.
"Seemed that she disappeared without a trace, did she ever marry old what's his face. I made a point to burn all of the photographs, she went away and then I took a different path. I remember the face but I can't recall the name. Now I wonder how whatsername has been."
The guitar chords started pick up as the song broke out into the solo section and Ashley could see the memories flashing past Hayden eye's as he could recall her name, how he could recall her face, how he was recalling every memory, and how he had been wondering how she had been. She sat down next to him and could feel him tense up and try to hide to photograph, she grabbed his arm and looked him in the eye, silently telling him that it was okay. She was hurt or didn't feel jealous at all, she knew that Hayden sometimes just thought about Maria and with her name being connected to such a traumatic moment in his past it would be impossible to never think about her, not to mention being his first girlfriend ever, it was something you tend to remember.
She let go of his arm and looked down at the photo, stunning Hayden who slowly looked back down at the photo himself.
"Remember, whatever, it seems like forever ago, remember, whatever, it seems like forever ago. The regrets are useless, in my mind, she's in my head I must confess. The regrets are useless, she's in my head from so long ago."
She felt Hayden turn away and close his eyes, she could feel him trying to let go of the regrets he had when it came to Maria. She knew that he still blamed himself for what happened to her, it wasn't as bad as before but she knew that the thoughts of what he could have done still festered in his mind.
"And in the darkest night, if my memory serves me right, I'll never turn back time. Forgetting you, but not the time."
The song faded out and she saw Hayden wipe his eyes and sniffle as he collected himself. He placed the photo on the nightstand close to his bed and sat with his hands in his lap and his head hung. Ashley shuffled closer and started to rub his back, trying to soothe him.
"She is beautiful." Ashley whispered to him.
"I'm sorry." Hayden answered after a beat.
"For what?" Ashley asked.
"Still having the photo, I guess. I just couldn't bring myself to throw it away or burn it up." Hayden answered, citing the song.
"Oh Hayden, I don't expect you to. I understand why you still have it. I'm not mad, not jealous, not anything. Don't feel bad because you think about her every now and then, she was your first girlfriend and she is connected to a traumatic moment in your life, I would be surprised if you didn't think about her." Ashley responded gently as she placed a kiss on his temple.
Hayden smiled at her and turned his head to meet her gaze. He gave her a small kiss before turning back and placing the photo back into the drawer.
"You really are the greatest." He said softly.
"Don't you forget it." Ashley quipped back.
"Hayden…" Ashley started.
"I know Ashley, I know. It wasn't my fault." Hayden answered.
"Just can't help it sometimes, but I know." He finished with small smile.
Satisfied with his answer and that he would be okay for the rest of the night, she stood up and guided him back downstairs to help set up for the party. There wasn't much to do as his parents had set up most of the food and drinks, there weren't a lot of games that needed to be set up as everyone would just kind of mingle around and start up games where ever they had space.
Time flew by and soon enough it was eight o'clock and people were starting to show up. Some of Hayden's wrestling friends, with Freddy leading the charge. Heather, Rebecca, and her brother Trevor who was finally back. He had been sick with Mono and was finally on the up and up. He did have a thermos with him that he was clutching at and chuckling to himself about it.
"Trevor, while I'm glad to see that you are better but I have to ask, what the hell is in that thermos." Ashley asked.
"Oh, don't you worry about it my dear, just a little homemade concoction that is guaranteed to make this party a rousing success." Trevor answered animatedly.
"Your definition of success is everybody throwing their guts up and black out drunk." Heather answered back.
"Exactly." Trevor responded as he walked off and made a b-line for the punch bowl.
"Should we stop him?" Hayden asked.
"If we do he will just pull out something much worse from the car. Let him have his fun but warn everybody about that bowl." Heather responded.
"Oh, come on, don't be a buzz kill, I want to see what will happen when people drink it." Rebecca whined.
"Of course, you do." Ashley responded.
"I think we might be too late. Looks like Freddy and some of the others have already drained the bowl and Trevor is now making more." Hayden pointed out.
Everyone looked over and saw the horrific sight of what Hayden stated playing out. They all turned away and walked in the opposite the direction with the exception of Rebecca.
"See ya chumps, I'm going to have some fun." She said as she took off in her brother direction.
"I don't want even want to know." Hayden replied as he led them to the kitchen.
He poured them all a drink and started to chat about how their holiday went and what classes they would have in the coming semester. They played a few games of beer pong, and boom cup, ate some food and joked around with everyone. People were constantly giving Hayden and Ashley a hard time to give each other a kiss since they were the new couple. They both rolled their eyes but smiled and gave each other small kisses to the drunken cheers of everyone in the party. They laughed it off and continued on with their night.
The night went on, until about 1030 when the doorbell rang and brought the party to halt. Everyone who had been invited knew to just walk right in so whoever was at the door was someone they didn't know. Raising an eyebrow Hiccup walked up to the door and looked through the small peep hole.
"NO WAY!" He screamed happily as he flung the door open.
Standing in the door way was a tall tan skinned boy, with dark hair and glasses. Everyone watched as Hiccup and this boy embraced and pulled apart as they smiled at one another.
"Bro, what are you doing here?" Hayden asked excitedly.
"Well I was in the neighborhood, knew your address from our texts, moved here, gonna start going to school here, you know just the usual." He said casually.
"WHAT?! You moved here, holy shit dude that is awesome!" Hayden exclaimed.
Everyone watched on curiously as the two interacted, wanting to know who the mysterious boy was Ashley summoned up her courage and took the plunge to go ask her boyfriend who this boy was.
"You going to introduce us or are we just going to watch you two play grab ass all night." Ashley teased.
"Oh, right where are my manners. Everybody this is my brother Tristan." Hayden introduced, to the shock of everybody.
"Brother?!" Everybody shouted.
"You never told me you had a brother." Ashley stated in shock.
"Well calling him my best friend would be an insult. He's my brother though, in everything but blood." Hayden explained.
Everyone let out a massive 'oh' and went back to their own business as the two friends continued to catch up.
"I had no idea if I would ever see you again man. How the hell are you?" Hayden asked.
"Been good, been good. Moved here over Christmas and just getting my bearings is all. Oh, and I have one more surprise for you." Tristan responded.
Hayden raised an eyebrow as he watched his brother wave for someone to come over. The person who stepped from out of the shadows caused Hayden's eyes to widen, his heartrate to increase, drop his drink, turn pale, and stumble backwards.
"M-M-M-M-Maria." Hayden gasped out
The girl smiled and nodded to Hayden in response.
"Hello Hayden." Maria smiled.
A/N: OH shit. That's right she is back, how oh how will this play out. Also for those of you wondering yes Tristan in this story is Toothless and the gifts that Hayden and Ashley exchanged are something that my Fiancee and I actually gave each other. Next chapter we get to see how Hayden handles seeing Maria for the first time in years.