A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 90- Making a clean break is like ending a mediocre movie—don't wait for a twist ending that won't come, just walk away.

I give a sort of horrified half smile to Ashton then slowly shuffle out of the kitchen towards my room. I know it's wrong to listen in, but I refuse to be the only person in the house that doesn't hear this conversation. There's no way it ISN'T about me after all and I don't like being spoken about behind my back, it's straight up unfair. I make a big deal out of closing my bedroom door loudly, but I don't actually close it. I shut it then let it bounce back just a little so that it opens again just the smallest bit. Enough that someone walking past would probably think I MEANT to close it and just screwed up. Then I lean as close to the gap as I can and strain my ears to listen.

"What did you wish to say to me?" Ashton asks, his voice even and calm. That's impressive actually, I think I'd be quaking in my boots if I were him right now.

"I'm glad you're leaving." My dad answers bluntly and I flinch. Ouch. Harsh dad. This time when Ashton answers his voice is pained.

"You... Do you truly object to me that much? I am aware that you are not overly fond of me. But I did not think that you hated me, not really." Ashton is definitely suffering and I'm about two seconds from blowing my cover and bursting in to rescue him and yell at my dad for being a jerk. The guy is ALREADY leaving. Is it really necessary to tear him down like this too? He just lost his own father, getting harsh words from someone else's HAS to hurt just that little bit more right now. I hold my breath and wait to see what dad says next. He's not a cruel person, but he is protective of me. My dad lets out a deep sigh and I can hear him moving around in the kitchen. It makes it harder to catch his next words.

"I don't hate you. From what I have seen you are respectful and kind to my daughter and as much as I would love to hate you for getting close to her, all I can think is that it shows good taste and judgement on your part. But regardless of what I think about you personally, I can't approve of your interest and it needs to end." Dad says firmly. There is a long silence and I think Ashton isn't going to answer, but he does. "Why?" He answers with a single word.

"Because you can't be what my daughter needs, and I refuse to let you break her heart." Dad answers bluntly. What the hell? What exactly is it that he thinks I need? Why does he think it's up to him?

"What is it that you believe she needs?" Ashton says, his voice is almost a monotone. He is not enjoying this conversation.

"She will never admit it, Kat would wait around for you and make herself miserable rather than tell you this herself. But Kat needs someone to be there for her, not just sometimes but all the time. Kat needs someone who can stay. I don't think that's something that you can promise her." Dad says gruffly. Ashton's silence speaks louder than any response he could give. I'm doing my best to hold back tears. I want to rage and scream and say that he's being unfair... But is he really? My dad is right. I don't think I could stand being left behind, but if Ashton asked me to wait for him... It probably would be better to just make a clean break now and then never see him again. If Ashton was just my friend then this wouldn't be a big deal. I would be happy to see him when he comes to visit and I'd miss him when he was gone, but I'd be fine. But he's not just my friend. I don't know what he is to me exactly, or what I am to him, but friend is not the right word. Despite the fact that I know my dad is probably right, I keep waiting for Ashton to argue back, to tell him he's wrong, to insist that he can make things work between us and that he's not just leaving me behind. But... he doesn't. He doesn't say a single word. I feel like something has broken inside me and this is the end of whatever it was that Ashton and I were building.

"Let me know when you plan to return and collect the criminals, and don't forget to pay my daughter for her time. She's gone above and beyond and I won't see her be taken advantage of." My dads footsteps walk down the hall and I hear his own bedroom door close. I shouldn't have listened in on that conversation. I was sad before, but now I'm sad, hurt and angry. I don't even know for sure who I'm angry at. Ashton maybe, for not fighting to keep me? Or my dad for putting him on the spot like that and saying those things... Or maybe I'm just mad at myself for letting my feelings go so far in the first place. I knew they were a bad idea from day one and I knew I would be miserable when he left. I should never have allowed myself to like him, and I should never have even for a second, allowed myself to hope.

I wait around for another ten minutes. Like, I literally stare at my phone and wait watching the numbers change until it reaches the ten minute mark. Then I force myself to paste on a smile and exit my room. Ashton and Fin are both in the living room, they're sorting through Fin's things and working out what he's going to take with him. Apparently the answer is almost everything. I pull out an old suitcase that I used to use on school camps and things as a kid and donate it to the guys to help with their packing. There's a false sense of cheer in the room. We're all smiling and acting like nothing is wrong, but I don't think a single one of us is actually happy. Lucy turns up just as the guys finish moving our furniture back to its regular places. She lets herself in like she so often does and with the kind of attitude like she belongs here. She drops the food on the table and it looks like there is WAY too much of it.

"I figured it was my turn to shout everyone a meal and this is going to be my last chance." Her face falls a little at that last statement. The food should taste good, but I don't have much of an appetite, just a headache and an impending sense of dread. We all eat slowly and when we finish dinner, we hover awkwardly as the sun goes down. No one wants to admit that it's time to go. I take a deep breath and force myself to face the truth.

"Well, we should load your stuff into the car. I'll drive you back to the park." I say with false cheer. Ashton opens his mouth as if to object, but he closes it again a moment later and grabs his bags. I fight the urge to cry. I refuse to cry. I am going to drop them off, say goodbye and let them leave. I will not cry or throw a tantrum. I won't make this any harder than it's going to already be, for any of us.

The drive down to the park is quick, almost unbearably quick. Why do we have to live so close by? I remember last time I drove down this road, my tyre burst and I flew off the road. Is it wrong that I kind of wish that would happen now? But no, we get there with zero issue and it's only a few minutes later that we are standing in the same spot that I first met Ashton and it's time to say goodbye. I start with Fin because it's easier, although I'm pretty sure I'll miss him too. "Bye Fin, I really enjoyed having the chance to get to know you. Thanks for all your help with everything." I tell him sincerely. He gives me a deep nod and in a rare show of emotion and affection, he smiles sadly and pats my shoulder gently. "I appreciate the care and hospitality you have shown to me. If there is ever anything I can do for you in the future, I would be honoured to assist you." He answers seriously, his eyes move over my shoulder to where Lucy is waiting, her back ramrod straight.

"Go on." I encourage him. Then I take a deep breath and turn my attention to Ashton.