risk// 5SOS

15

Gia

"Good morning, good morning, good morning!" Luke said, "How is my favourite Gia today?"

"Okay,"

"Ready for some breakfast?"

"Yes,"

"Alright, Ashton wants mcdonalds, does that sound good?"

I nodded and twisted the buttons on my school cardigan, gulping.

I'd told dad I was okay with Ashton being here, but I actually wasn't, and I could feel my hands begin to sweat. Also, I could hear my heart beat in my ear, and that was the worst thing in the world.

Lying to dad was bad, I knew that, but he was busy with Rider and Sage. They needed him more than me, and I was a little upset and betrayed by him letting Rider sleep in his bed.

"Is there anything fun on at school today?" Ashton said.

"No, cos Rider isn't there,"

"That's a shame... hopefully you'll still have a good day,"

"Yeah, I will make bracelets at lunch with some other girls," I said quietly, looking down at my feet. My school shoes had got a bit scuffed, but I didn't mind, and neither did dad. I loved that about him- he didn't get mad about small things.

"Oh that will be nice! I wish we had time for bracelets,"

"You'll have to show us later," Luke said.

I nodded and stared out the window, looking at all of the houses and shops to try and distract myself. This was a very beautiful place to live, and I felt lucky. I'd moved around Australia a lot, so I was grateful to live here.

Ashton was drumming his fingers on the car door to the radio, and Luke was saying something to him, but I couldn't make it out over my heart beat, which was only getting fast.

Eating with other people made me anxious, and as we pulled into the mcdonalds, it dawned on me fully that it was happening.

As they both got out the car, I was glued to my seat.

"Are you coming sweetheart?"

I looked at Luke through the window and began to tear up, shaking my head.

Guilt built up in me everytime I got upset about dad's friends because I knew I upset them, and I hated upsetting people, but I was scared.

"Hey, we're gonna have a tasty breakfast," he said, opening the door, "Ash will go and find us a table,"

"I'll get a window seat,"

"Thanks, mate. We'll be there in a moment,"

He undid my seatbelt for me and then gently wiped my cheeks, being my shoulder to lean on when I let out another cry.

"Slow breaths, you are doing so well. You've done a whole car ride,"

"I can't do this,"

"I think you can, I believe in you. Being scared is okay, but it can feel amazing to face something we are scared of. Ash isn't gonna hurt you,"

"Doctors hurt people, and I don't know him,"

"If you spend time with him, you will get to know him. You're not alone, I am here to support you,"

He leant back and looked at me, then I dried my eyes and nodded, taking a deep breath. He kissed my cheek a helped me out the car, and then we walked into mcdonalds and found Ashton.

I chose what I wanted, and Ashton offered to order, so I sat in the window seat next to Luke with the colouring.

Luke was one of my best friends. He was kind, he was loving, and he was gentle. Though dad would argue with me if I said he didn't take any energy to hang around with, I found he was very relaxing and it was comfortable.

His home was very cosy, and he always helped me, but never made me feel silly for needing it.

Plus, I was grateful that he had taught me more English, because it helped with songwriting when I saw Francis, which had then helped my relationship with dad.

"Here is breakfast your highness," Ashton said, passing me my hashbrown and a breakfast muffin, "And yours, Luke,"

I giggled and he gave me a grin, sitting opposite Luke with his own meal.

"So, other than bracelet making, what else is on the agenda,"

"Playing with Rider at home,"

"Is it fun having him and Sage there?"

I nodded and looked up at Luke, unsure about having a conversation without his input. However, he was too focused on his breakfast to notice.

"Rider was already like my brother,"

"I'm glad,"

"But I'm sad that dad has to share his love, so I get less,"

"I don't think he's sharing, I think hes multiplying it," Luke chimed in, "The love keeps growing,"

"Fancy you knowing maths,"

Ashton smirked and Luke scoffed, making me giggle again. He was funny. I didn't want him to be funny. I didn't want to like Ashton, but I did.

"Gia is a maths superstar,"

"So I have heard,"

"You have heard?"

"Your dad tells us all about your achievements," he nodded, "He is always very proud of you, and that won't change,"

I felt my heart warm, and swung my legs, slowly eating my hash brown.

"What are you good at?"

"Ash is good at driving," Luke said, "He's the best out of us all,"

"Dad isn't the best?"

"Your dad is a good driver too, all of us are,"

"Okay,"

"I'm good at... playing the drums," Ashton said, wiggling his eyebrows, "And I like to think I am a good doctor,"

"How often do you hurt people?"

"I fix people!"

"When I went to hospital for the cut on my hand they hurt me,"

"I don't purposefully hurt people, I promise,"

I finished my food and pushed it away, Luke putting it on the tray again for me. Since I was the last one to finish, we put it in the bin and got back into the car, Luke turning to take me to school.

"Thank you for breakfast,"

"You're very welcome sweetheart,"

"It made me feel special,"

"You are very special," Ashton said, "And I am really excited about maybe getting to spend more time with you. You're a very strong person, Gia, thank you for giving me a chance,"

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gonna double update today
ik ik, you're welcome

ajdjdkska no but thank you for all the love!