“killer frost killed everyone, including professor stein who she was in love with because he didn’t love her back and said she had psychosis,” celeste reminded her with the raise of her brows and the slight cock of her head, a small chuckle escaping her lips. “but i guess you’re not too far off about the psychosis.” reaching into her purse, she pulled out a couple of tissues, letting them sit in her fingers as she straightened out asher’s shoes, quickly walking over to the trash and throwing them out before making her way to the couch. the small brunette let out a soft breath, looking up at him with a smile, shrugging her shoulders. “what do i say, asher? i’ve been to about eight therapists and they’ve diagnosed me with like… six different problems or the fact that my sister thinks i’m a monster can’t stand to be in the same room with me, hates my guts, or the fact that i don’t blame her? or – god, maybe, i don’t know, the fact that everyday i feel like i’m drowning because… i just – god, i just want to make everyone… i don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she murmured quietly, screwing her eyes shut tightly, shaking her head as rosy lips pressed her lips together firmly to stop the words from rushing past. it was almost as if everything she’d been holding back for months had begun to spill out and if she’d kept going, she knew it would never stop, not until she’d told him everything and even then she couldn’t imagine the look on his face. it was far too painful to even think about. the fact of the matter is, she was the strong one. she was the one who put on a smile and a brave face. she was good at lying, it’s the only thing that protecting her thus far. so, cece just did what she did best and she smiled. “what would i do without you, huh?” she whispered softly, though made sure her words were clearly mouthed, shrugging a shoulder. “i think i’d go crazier than i already am. and i promise – from now on i talk, yeah? to your face, not beside or behind it. i’d take the real you over a computer screen any day.”
asher wrinkled his nose up and made a face. trust her to over-analyse his attempt at a joke. still, he continued to run with it. “fine. you're freaking olaf,” he chuckled and nudged her shoulder. the male stood back and watched her sort his shoes. he had interrupted that routine once before and knew better than to do it again. the best thing to do was to just let celeste run with her weird but sort of adorable ticks. besides, it cleaned his hall up a little -- who could really complain about that? only when she had settled did the male approach, the bottom lip caught between his teeth as he did. he had probably just opened a can of worms, but he preferred it that way. he wasn't the best when it came to reading between the lines, so it was easier when everything was just straightforward. “a problem is something that can be worked out, you know? i know what your therapists have been saying, but they don't know you like i do -- they don't know half the stuff you've been through because, here and now, i can bet my entire year's wages on the fact that you never told them everything. and your sister -- she's family, right? you've both had crap starts in life, but if you want a relationship with her then make it happen -- don't run. i know you, celebi. i know what you're CAPABLE of, okay? she'll see it eventually. it’ll just take work. it’s up to you whether or not it’s worth it.” asher sat down beside her and placed his hand atop of hers, squeezing it lightly. the only upside of living in a different country to his best friend was that he had an excuse when it came to not dealing with this head on, but now he was here to stay, he could only try his best to make it a little better. he just... didn't know if it was possible. “you'd probably hide under your bed and refuse to move for the rest of your life,” he said, matter-of-factly, though he was only teasing. “remember that?” he nudged her shoulder again, a lopsided smirk now etched into his lips. he certainly was living up to his words of never letting her live that down. “i just want what's best for you, 'kay? i just want to help -- to be here. besides, you're like a hotshot attorney and i'm a hotshot hockey player. our lives are never gonna be boring. we should start embracing that.” asher was not usually so full of himself, but an air of confidence in their current stance in life couldn't harm the moment, could it? “do you want me to sign your shirt or something? it might be worth thousands of bucks eventually.”
