He grinned and joked...

Ashton.

It seemed somehow strangely wrong and yet completely right at the same time.

That was totally schizophrenic.

Actually, all these years Ashton had always put on his matter-of-fact, strict mask and displayed a cool, aloof demeanor that prevented anyone from getting too close to him.

However, in the last few days in my presence, he lowered this rigid mask more and more often, by a tiny bit.

Usually the only people who got to see his relaxed side, the one button open on his shirt on Sunday mornings, were his two brothers.

And his best friend Jeremy.

Until recently, I didn't even know he had...