No memory-5sos-ot4

Chapter 11

Michael stood in the kitchen doorway watching as Ashton sat at the table with the tutor, turns out Ashton was a lot more uneducated than originally thought as he actually had a fairly difficult time reading and understanding what he was reading. That being said, he was very smart and determined to learn, but, he also got frustrated pretty easily mad at himself for failing even though they told him constantly it was okay.

"I don't understand this." Ashton said looking at Harry, the tutor.

"I'm sure you'll get it soon. Just keep trying." Harry encouraged.

"I don't understand it. It makes no sense." Ashton getting very frustrated.

"Just try one more time." Harry said.

Michael watched as Ashton huffed, shoved the book away from him, and went to his room. Even though they all now shared a bed, each boy had their own room, like Calum had a nursery where he took naps when he was in little space, Luke had a calm room for whenever he got super worked up and needed to calm down, Michael had the office, and while Ashton's room was mostly just an art studio it still had a bed in it because sometimes he would take naps in there.

"Let me handle this, just watch the babies." Luke said gently stopping Michael from going after him.

Michael turned to Calum who was playing with Harry's little Louis. Luke walked down the hall, carefully opening the door to Ashton's room.

"Can you come with me? I want to show you something." Luke said holding his hand out for Ashton.

Ashton, who had plopped down on the bed, got up, took Luke's hand, and allowed to lead him down the hall. With each door they passed, Ashton got more and more curious. Eventually Luke unlocked a door and let Ashton walk before him. The room had a wall of windows that looked out across the city, large comfortable beam bags, a stereo in the corner, a little fountain that created the sound of running water, and dim lights hung all around.

"What's this?" Ashton asked.

"We call it the calm room. This is my room in the house, I come here when I'm really upset and cooking doesn't help. I come here, turn on calm music, sit on the beanbags and either look out the window or I just breathe. It steadies my mind, making it easier for me to do things." Luke said.

"Why are you showing me this?" Ashton asked.

"Because, we're going to see if you sitting in here helps you calm down and better focus on your studies without getting so frustrated. Sit on the beanbag, I'll put on some music. I'll be back in ten minutes just calm down." Luke said.

Ashton sat down on the beanbag and already felt a bit calmer just hearing the sound of the water. Soft, soothing, music began to fill the room and Ashton knew he was alone when the door shut. Ashton looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes, thinking about everything and nothing all at once. Not only did being in this room help him calm down but it also helped him remember some things, like his age and birthday.

"How are you feeling?" Luke asked walking back into the room.

"Better. Much better." Ashton said.

"Good. I'm glad it helped you calm down." Luke said.

"July seventh." Ashton said standing up.

"What?" Luke asked.

"That's my birthday. July seventh. I'm sixteen as of right now." Ashton said.

"Your birthday is coming up soon. Why don't back out to Harry and try to finish your studies okay?" Luke asked.

"Okay." Ashton said happily bouncing out of the room.

Luke quickly went to Michael who was now playing with both littles on the floor.

"Ashton's birthday is coming up, he's turning seventeen." Luke quickly whispered.

"He remembered?" Michael asked looking at Luke.

"Yeah, tonight after he goes to sleep we should plan like a party for him." Luke said.

"Well of course. And we, of course, have to buy him many gifts." Michael said.

"We have to make it absolutely perfect, all day. So no jobs." Luke said.

"No jobs." Michael agreed, before turning back into Calum who had thrown himself across Michael's lap to get his attention, giggling adorably.

"Me hungwy." Calum said blinking up and Michael and Luke.

"I hungwy too." Louis said.

"I'll go fix some lunch." Luke said.

Luke headed into the kitchen and began fixing lunch for everyone knowing that it's about time they all eat.

"Ash, darling, what do you want for lunch?" Luke asked.

"Oh, um, what are fixing Calum?" Ashton asked.

"Pizza rolls." Luke said.

"Can I have some as well?" Ashton asked.

"Of course. Do you want some water as well?" Luke said.

"Yeah. Thank you." Ashton said before turning back to his work in front of him.

After sitting in Luke's calm room, Ashton was a bit more patient with his work and tried a bit harder. He really wanted to learn but it was incredibly difficult for him but he kept trying and just pushed back his frustration until Harry and Louis left later that day.

"How are you doing on your homework, Princess?" Michael asked setting his head on top of Ashton's as he stood behind his.

"I've stared at the same question for the past ten minutes. What's that word?" Ashton asked pointing to it.

"Endurance." Michael said.

"Okay. What does it mean?" Ashton asked.

"It means, basically, to be active for a really long time." Michael said moving to the seat beside Ashton.

"Okay." Ashton said.

Michael watched as Ashton furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, still not understanding what the question was asking, which also came with knowing how to answer it. Ashton thought so hard about that one question that it made his head pound and his eyes started to hurt from staring at the white paper for so long.

"Alright. Bed time." Michael said standing up.

When Ashton didn't move, Michael picked him up and carried him to the bedroom.

"But-"

"No. It's getting late, you can try again tomorrow. For now, you need to shower and go to bed." Michael said firmly in a voice that Ashton definitely couldn't argue with.

"Fine." Ashton sighed.

"I love you." Michael said kissing the top of Ashton's head.

"I love you too." Ashton said back.