Long Way Home

Chapter 20

"Oiy! Someone's in a rush." Niall laughs, catching my waist before i fall. I blush, and looking down, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Oh, well you know the Irwins. Always hyper." I lamely joke, giving him a forced smile.

Niall laughs quietly. "Always."

I nod, and quickly run away, mentally scolding myself for how awkward I just was.

I grab a slice of pizza and some water, and sit down on the patio next to Michael and Louis.

"You and Niall were getting it on." Louis teased. "Until Hazza broke it up, thank god he did."

"What?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at Louis. "Why 'thank god he did'?

Louis shrugged. "Now that Ashton's gone, we feel like we have to protect you, you're like a little sister to us. And we all know how Ashton felt about you with boys."

I rolled my eyes and swallowed the piece of pizza I was chewing. I hated how he made it seem like Ashton was dead.

I knew he wasn't,

He couldn't be.

"Yeah," I said standing up abruptly, causing everyone to look at me. My chair squeaks as I push it back. "Well thanks, but since Ashton's gone for so long, I think I can handle myself."

I push past Luke, who pleads for me to stop so we can talk,

and I head inside, far, far away,

from the boys who will never be like my brother.

*

"Don't stare at people Avery, it's not polite." ashton scolds, grabbing my hand and pulling me away from the crappy stand.

I open my mouth to protest, how I am 10, not 5, and I can handle myself. Ashton sends me and a glare and shakes his head as if he knows what I am about to say.

"You are 10, not 16, not 13, so no, you cannot handle yourself as of right now."

I felt myself starting to get frustrated with Ashton as he pulled me to Harry and our mother. (She is taking the place of Lauren, sorry!)

"Whatever." I mumble, pulling my hand out of his grip. "Your not my mom." He was always telling me what to do nowadays, and it bothered me.

I brushed by him, slowly stalking over to our mom and younger brother.

"Don't change who you are Avery," Ashton whispered as he sadly watched me. The boy was only twelve and a half and spoke better than I would at 15. "Never pretend to be someone your not."

I rolled my eyes before turning back to Ashton and giving him a lopsided smile. "I won't, okay? Now stop being dramatic and come 'ere."

He walked over to me and gave me a quick squeeze before pulling back and looking me in the eyes. "Promise me?"

"Promise. Will you always be here for me?"

"Promise Aves! Why wouldn't I be?"

I smile up at him, and wonder what life would be like without Ashton, without my rock.

*

Oh, well I know now.

Ashton was a liar, he left me. He hurt me more than any other boy could, and he didn't fulfill the responsibilities an older brother should.

I let out a yell before slamming my fist into the wall, tears filling my eyes as I stated out the window,

Wondering what the hell was wrong with me.