{Banana Smoothie} ✔️

Chapter 89

I'm still sorry~

May 8th

Asher's POV

"Hey bubba" my papa calls plopping down on the couch next to me.  "What are you doing up so early?" I ask looking around the empty room.  Atlas was waking his siblings and we were getting ready for school.

"Your Dad's coming down too" he whispers pulling me into a hug. "Are you okay?" I ask even though I think I know what this is about. The morning after my party I woke up cradled by my parents all three of us with puffy eyes.

They didn't go to work at all that week, begging me to tell them things I wanted to do. If I utter a word about anything they would get me it in seconds.  "I'm so sorry" he murmurs for the hundredth time pulling me into his chest.

I nodded in return trying not to cry. "It's fine... you already explained, you had to get stuff done- if anything I'm being selfish because you're doing it for me" I whisper and he quickly pushes me away from his chest.

"You are not selfish your parents are just idiots who need to get their lives together" he groans as my dad comes running down the stairs jumping onto the couch with us. Both were crushing me into a hug and I just gave in. I knew they were sorry. I forgave them, I just wouldn't be able to forget for a bit.

"Ash... you know we're serious when we say we will force everybody to have another picnic with us?" My dad repeated and I nod. "We could have Thomas spend the night?" He offers and I quickly shake my head. "I'm okay... you should just let me not go to school today" I joke sadly even though it was anything but a joke.

I got 'sick' after my party and hadn't gone to school since. If I stayed sick any longer I would have to be taken to the hospital and they would know I was faking. I didn't want to lose their trust. I had never done it before.

"Bubba I'm sorry just go today at least" "we can take you to the joke shop after school!" Papa adds. "Oh okay, I'd like that!" I smile getting a kiss on the head from both of them. "We will tell you- All about our newest project! Merlin we're the worst parents" their excitement soon dwindles as Papa pulls me into his chest. Dad rubs his fingers calmly over my hand.

My cousins soon started to file into the room their eyes wandering over to us.  Nobody else knew how upset I had gotten and I planned to keep it that way.  "We won't cause a scene" h they simultaneously whisper repeatedly kissing my head.  "Thank you" I whisper back. "I love you" papa nods trying to hold back his tears kissing me on the cheek this time.

Dad kisses my other cheek uttering the same words "I love you" I was shocked at those words for some reason. "I love you guys too," I tell them turning to kiss their cheeks as well. They never say I love you it had always been we love you. It was different, it was nice.

"We'll be waiting here!" They shout going up the stairs. I nod even though they can't see me and stand from the couch going over to the others. "What was that about?" Iris asks looking at me worried. "They were just asking how I was feeling" I lied... I've been doing that so much lately. I'm such a bad person.

"How's my Angel" Atlas murmurs wrapping his arms around me from behind.  "I'm okay... I missed you" I continue to keep a quiet voice turning around in his embrace.

He gives me a strange look but holds me close. "You missed me?" He asked. I nod into his chest. "Well I missed you too" he chuckles. I just wanted to be held by him. "Are you guys ready?" Atlas calls to the other getting nods and tired "yes"

I separated from Atlas to throw my backpack onto my back just to speed walk back over to him, holding his arm tightly. He leads us to a carriage getting in first before holding his hand out for me.

Setting my bag against the seat I wait for him to sit before cuddling up into his lap. Atlas wraps his arms around me protectively kissing my head. "Are you okay?" He questions me while Seren and Lyra pull themselves into the carriage. "Mhmm" I mumble trying to push myself farther into his embrace. "Okay," he smiles pulling my head into his chest.

The carriage ride was almost silent beside Lyra humming to herself kicking her feet back and forth. Seren was quiet as usual and I could feel Atlas's eyes watching me. As the carriage stopped I let the girls get out first before moving to get off of Atlas's lap.

He grasped my waist keeping me down. I looked back at him with a confused glance and he gently places his hand on my cheek. Laying his lips onto mine for a sweet and gentle kiss. I didn't hesitate to kiss back.

His hand rubbing up and down my side while I placed mine onto his cheeks. His touch was kind and warm. "I love you" he murmurs pulling away for a split second.  "I-I love you too" I stutter and he leaves another peck on my lips.

"We should probably go now" he sighs kissing my cheek next. I nod staring into his eyes.  Standing from his lap I lazily go down the steps waiting for Atlas. He comes down after grabbing my hand the carriage behind us finally able to leave.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asks once again and I nod happier than I was before. "Yeah, I just don't feel the best" I lie again. Why do I keep lying, this is so irritating? "Let's go to breakfast" I'm pulled out of my hateful thoughts by his words.

"Can I sit with you" I mumble looking towards the floor. He chuckles at my words rubbing a thumb over my pale hand. "You sure are lovey-dovey today" he smiles and I pout, leaning against him anyways. "I want to say yes, but you know that's not going to be able to happen. We get away with lots of things, but you Mr. Hufflepuff need to sit with your kind" he jokes and I giggle even though I really didn't want to.

"Fine then Mr. Slytherin" I shoot back as we enter the hall. He places a kiss on the top of my head before walking me over to my usual spot. "Come get me if you need anything I'll come to get you when you're done eating," he says his daily little thing.

"Okay, thank you" I thank him going onto my toes to kiss his cheek. His smile widens as his hand slides out of mine. I watch him walk over to his table his smile wide. Since I was sitting at the end of the table, I zoned out of the chatter and looked around the room for my family. They all seemed so happy.

A hand on my shoulder scares me and I look over to find Thomas. Taking his hand from my shoulder he sits down next to me the same smile he usually had. As if he wasn't torturing me in every which way.

"Why weren't you here last week?" He asks as I stare at the plate in front of me. "I wasn't feeling good" I answer, his hand tapping the table. "Baby look at me" he turns so no one can see his lips... well more like Atlas who was probably trying to burn holes into Thomas.

"I- I want to eat my food" I try to explain still staring at my empty plate. "Look at me" his voice was harsher, his hand going to my thigh squeezing it tightly. I flinch but nod holding back my tears. "Y-yes" I answer, turning to look into his eyes.

"Look at your beautiful face" he coos his hand rubbing up and down my leg. "C-can I go to the bathroom?" I ask trying to stand. He keeps me down shaking his head. "I have to go with you" he smiles the hand trickling up my side just to go back down.

"Oh, actually- I don't really need to go" I smile and he nods. "Do you think anybody knows about us" he smirks as if we had some huge secret. He's a psycho.  "No! I haven't said anything- I've been quiet" I tell him.

He continued to rub and caress my legs as I held back my tears. "That's good baby" he hums turning to eat some of his food. A hand on me at all times. Maybe if I stopped sitting at the end he wouldn't be able to do this. People would have to see and help. Wait... no because they would think I'm cheating and then Atlas would hate me!

What if other people started to come after me. I don't know what to do. I look to the plate in front of me and sigh. I'm not hungry anymore. I want to go home.

"Can I go class?"

"Not yet"