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After a long talk with both his parents, the decision was final.

Ashton would be living with the Hemmings family temporarily while his mom attended rehabilitation for her alcohol addiction.

The police had even agreed to this. Everybody knew that it would be best if Anne attended rehab and Ashton stayed with a different family where he would feel more secure. More at peace.

It was a couple days after the terrible phone call, and Ashton was in the Hemmings car, going home with the family. Luke was sat next to him, keeping his eyes on his phone that was in his hands.

He and Ashton didn't talk much. Ashton had spent most of those days he was at the hospital talking to lawyers. Mainly Luke's dad, but a couple others lawyers were there too. After talking and talking, everybody had decided that his stepdad, if that's what he needed to be called, would be charged for rape and domestic abuse.

Ashton would finally get the justice he deserved. He had suffered for too long, living under the fear of this terrible person he had to call dad.

"You get to stay in the guest room," Luke said after a while, glancing up at Ashton. "You probably won't have to go to school for a bit, you can barely walk on your own, let alone do calculus."

At this, Luke let out a small chuckle. Ashton however, didn't even crack a smile. He had noticed that Ashton had changed in these two days. He didn't smile often. His eyes would stare into an endless void when he was spoken to, and with every loud noise he jumped.

Luke was worried for the boy. He knew that though the trauma from the abuse he had endured played a big role in why he was acting the way he did, he also knew that their breakup was tearing Ashton apart from the inside.

How did he know?

It was tearing him up too. He needed to see Ashtons warm, golden eyes look up at him every morning. He needed to see them light up with happiness or excitement anytime they spend time together. He needed to hear his giggle, he needed his sweet smile that made his heart flutter.

He needed Ashton back.

But they had broken it off.

Luke stayed silent after Ashton didn't reply, instead looking at his delicate features in the way they were set. His eyes, staring into nothingness as the car sped down the highway. The once bright hazel colour turned to grey.

His lips, slightly spread as he stared. Luke couldn't keep his eyes off of the pink tint that was on them.

His nose, built so beautifully. The delicate, beautiful curve of it. The freckles littered over it.

His hands, forever laying in his lap. Whenever he was spoken to, his fingers twitched and bounced on his knee. When he was left alone, the hands that once played instruments and sports lay unmoving in his lap.

It was a sad sight, seeing the life drained from this angel that sat beside Luke. He had no idea what he could do.

After ten silent minutes, they arrived at home. Luke got out of the car, immediately rushing to the other side to help Ashton out. The poor boy could barely walk by himself.

He grabbed Ashton's arm as he exited the car, trying to keep him steady as he walked to the front door. Ashton kept his eyes on the floor, every bone in his body aching from the damage his stepdad had done to him. He was in so much pain constantly. That's why he didn't want to do anything anymore.

When they got to the door, Luke waited for his mom to run to open it. When she did, he helped Ashton to his room, which was directly across the hall from Luke's.

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