Forever

Chapter Five

The principle looks me straight in the eye, before dismissing me.

I walk out, and into the hallway, and I see Ashton standing on the side, a cut down his left brow. I must look pretty worried, because as I approached him, his facial expression softened from a deep angry scowl, to that of a half hearted smile.

"Hey" I say so quietly, but he hears. He seems to hear everything.

"Hey" he replies. He runs his hands through his hair, out of habit I must guess, and I can't help but think he looks good at this very moment. I brush the thought away, and start picking at the skin around my nails.

"I'm sorry about Luke. You shouldn't have stood up for me,"I say. His response is too kind "I don't mind getting into a fight for a lady that deserves to be treated right." He smiles at me.

But before I could change the subject, he asks the question I was waiting for.

"What was up with that though? Were you two a couple or-"

"No. Nothing like that. It was worse actually."I interrupt, and I'm caught off guard when he suddenly takes my hands in his, warming them, and I pull them away. I mentally curse at the loss of heat, and Ashton looks slightly hurt, but brushes it off.

"So what happened?" He asks, sympathy in his eyes. And suddenly I want to spill all my deepest, darkest secrets with him. But I know I can't just do that.

"Nothing. Its fine" I try to smile, but it fails deeply.

He looks concerned, and without a second thought, I start walking towards the school exit, but he grabs my wrist, turns me around, and unexpectedly gives me a bear hug. I stiffen, but he doesn't let go, and his arms are wrapped tightly around my waist. I don't even try to pull away, instead I relax a little, and give him a light hug in return. He is still holding me moments later,when he finally let's go.

That small amount of time he hugged me, filled me with enough warmth to make me last another year, and he looks down at me, takes my hand in his, and squeezes reasurringly.

"I'm here. Okay?" He gives me a smile, let's go of my hand, and walks away, out the door, without waiting for my answer.

Its as if he wasn't even giving me a choice to say whether he is here or not.

And I didnt like it. But I liked it.

He seemed so positive, kind and caring. Thinking back, the way he had struck Luke with his fist, completely shattering his nose, was almost insane to watch. Ashton didn't look like the type to try and get into fights, but rather to stand up for someone who deserved it.

And I respected him for that.

I felt a certain longing in my chest. A longing that would come and go after my parents died, and after what happened. And suddenly I realize what that longing is.

I run towards and out the door, my small frame trying to catch up with ashton. A tear slips, and I see Ashton walking the road that led to our area, and I called out his name.

He turns around, a frown settling over his face, and I finally reach him, standing before him, tears staining my cheeks.

The longing I felt, is to tell someone. To tell someone how I felt. I couldn't talk to Hannah, because the idea upsets her and she ends up crying for me, which makes me regret talking about it.

But I had to tell someone. And I trusted Ashton. In this short time, I know I trust way too easily, but I need to right now.

He looks down at me, saying "Rose, what's wrong? Why are you crying??" He looks me into the eyes, rubbing his thumb over a tear that escaped my eyelid, but it was no use, because more spilled out.

I took in a strangled breath, and i whispered as he pulled me into yet another embrace,

"i-i-...h-he raped me"

And as soon as the words leave my lips, my knees give out from underneath me, and sobs rack through my body, mercilessly.

**hey guyyyyyssss.... Duun, dun dunnnnnnnn. I don't even know why I'm writing these at the end of each chapter, oh well.

Thanks to those who voted, you are stars, and I just wanted to know, do you guys want ashton to have a lip ring? Or not? Comment your vote. I just don't know which would be better.

Love youzzzzzzzz babes**