Protect me

Asher

I wake up to the bright golden glow of the rising sun coming out of my large apartment window. I sit up and stretch. I couldn't help but smile from the beautiful lighting. I felt so grateful to live in such a nice home after everything I'd been through.

I get up and walk towards the bathroom attached to my large master bedroom, and get into my shower.
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Asher's hairstyle and outfit👇🏼

I finish styling my black fluffy hair. My friends often make fun of my emo appearance. I've learned to just ignore it. I'm finally happy with myself, and that's all that matters.

I walked outside my bedroom and crossed the hallway to one of the guest rooms in my apartment. I have 3 guest rooms in my home. I almost always have at least one being used at all times.

My home is a bit strange. My house isn't just my house, it's basically my whole school's house.

You see, my childhood was not the best. I was abused by my family, physically and emotionally, and sometimes I would be kicked out on the streets as a punishment. It's a horrible terrifying experience being on the streets, having no one to care for you.

When I was 16 I knew I had to get out of my abusive household. I worked multiple jobs, and stayed up countless nights, trying to earn money. I also was studying all the time, and building a business. That business has become very successful, and I've been able to buy the apartment of my dreams. A two-story, 5 bedroom, two offices, 3 bathroom, open floor plan apartment.

After about one week in my dream apartment, I felt, unhappy. I felt selfish. I kept thinking about the kids I would see at school. I would wonder if these kids had abusive parents or if they always had a safe place to go home to.

I had a plan, and as crazy as it sounded, I was going to get it done.

After two months I was able to get everything set up. During those two months, I was transforming my house into a safe space. A safe space for anyone who didn't have one. I turned 3 of the bedrooms into guest rooms, full of heat blankets, sound machines, essential oils, stuffed animals, and anything that could make a person feel safe. I turned one of the offices into a playroom. There was stuff like legos, iPads, play dough, and stuff for any age that can be fun and relaxing.

I also had taken multiple classes online, and at school, to learn about human physiology. So I can know how to properly talk to people who have been through trauma, people with anxiety, depression, or anything like that.

I also put stuff in my house for littles. I had the highchairs that were strapped onto the kitchen chairs, playpens, baby gates, portable cribs, changing tables, and mats. I also had smaller things, like pacifiers, teethers, sippy cups, bottles, bibs, pull-ups, diapers, and lots more. Even though it's pretty rare I ever get a little that needs caring for, I still like to keep that stuff around. One day I honestly really want to be a daddy for a little, but I doubt I'll ever happen.

After I had gotten everything at my house ready, I hung up posters around my school, in the counseling rooms, and told my friends, and basically anyone that needed help about it.

Over the past year and a half, I've gotten SO many students to come to my house. I've helped hundreds of people. I feel so happy with my accomplishments, and to this day I still have just as many people coming to my house asking for help.
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I walk to the guest room. I currently have a sophomore boy, whose parents kicked him out of the house, because he got a B+ on a test, and my junior friend Josh, who was just going to come to hang out but ended up staying the night to help with the sophomore.

I knock on the door. After about a minute the sleepy child opens the door. He rubs his brown eyes with his little fist and looks at me curiously.

    "Good morning Oliver!!" I greet him in a cheery tone. "How'd you sleep bud," I say while leaning down slightly to get down to his level.

   "Good," he whispers. "Had a bad dream though," he mumbles quietly.

   "Aww, I'm sorry bud. Do you want to talk about it?"I ask.

  Oliver shakes his head and looks down at the floor.

  I place my hand under his chin and lift his head. "Buddy, can you please use your words?" I softly ask.

   "I don't want to talk about it," Oliver says, now slightly embarrassed.

  "Okay, thank you. Now get ready for school. I left some clothes on top of the dresser. I'll be downstairs making breakfast." I say while I ruffle his hair.

   "I talked to my parents last night. They said I can come back if I promise to study more." Oliver states quietly to Asher and Josh who sit eating breakfast at the opposite end of the table.

   Josh and I look at each other, and then I look back at Oliver. "Okay... you can go back but PROMISE me. If your parents kick you out, or anything bad like that. Come to my house straight away, okay."

  "Okay, I will," he promises.

I drive Oliver and Josh to school, we hang out with my large group of friends until the first bell rings. We say our goodbyes then I walk to my first class of the day, photography.

  I take my seat in the middle row of the glass room with two of my friends.

  Me and my friends were laughing and editing our teaching falling down a flight of stairs when the door opened and a short blond girl walked in, Taylor.

  Taylor is a girl I have photography with. I've only really known Taylor from having a class with her. She's pretty quiet and spends most of her time hanging out with Haley.

  I've always been kinda interested in the girl. She's extremely quiet, not just in a shy way but in a way where it's like she acts like she isn't allowed to.

Taylor always shows up to school late, out of breath, and disheveled looking, which I couldn't help but be just a bit curious about.

  My eyes follow the girl as she hands the teacher a late slip and walks to her directly behind me. I could help but notice her glossy eyes and red cheeks that pretty much have away she had been crying recently.

I could only really give it a few seconds of thought before my friends stole my attention back.

The last 10ish minutes of class were uneventful. I finished up my work and packed up up my stuff once the bell hang. I was following my friends out of the class when I look over and see the only other stupid that still hasn't left yet. Taylor?

   Taylor had her head in her folded arms on the desk. And soft crying sounds were coming from her. I stood there for a second as my friends left me behind, contemplating if I should go up to her, but end up going ahead.

I walked up to Taylors dead, and squared down so my arms were crossed on the table in front of me.

"Hey, you okay there?"