AFRAID {a.i.}

CHAPTER TEN

Song of the Chapter: End Up Here - 5 Seconds of Summer.

My eyes focused on Brad. What was he doing in my school? He was meant to be at work. I watched him walk to Zac. Zac's smirk fell as my brother got closer to him. I knew my brother and I knew this wasn't a good thing. He hated Zac and he's always one to give the first hit. What can I say, the Montez's like to give rather than receive.

"Brad," I murmured. Brad looked to me and smiled. I felt my body loosen as I knew he wasn't going to put me at risk. I watched everyone gather around.

"Now, Zachariah, would you like to repeat that sentence again please?" Brad smiled and I couldn't help but lightly laugh at how intimidating my brother was.

"You heard me." Zac smirked again. My laugh stopped. It was the fact Zac gained his confidence back and that scared me.

"Yeah, I did, but I'd like you to repeat it." By now, I seen Ashton push through the crowd. His eyes fell onto mine.

"Oh look the boy arrives. The one she gave it up to straight after she gave it up to me." Zac pointed to Ashton and Brad turns.

"The boy who picked her up after you laid your dirty hands on her." Brad corrected. For Brad, I was shocked. He wasn't a fan of Ashton yet he just stuck up for him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Zac laughed and everyone stood silent.

"What makes you think I'm going to believe you over my sister? You just can't help yourself. You can't get it so you force it."

"Brad, please." People looked at me as I spoke and I bit my lip. I didn't want the whole school to know that I was already a victim of this within a few days here.

"Your brothers hot when he's angry." Ana chuckled. I looked at her confused and she shrugged. "What?"

"No let him talk, I want to hear the shit you've been saying." I flinched as he approached me. His eyes were scary. They made me stop whenever they caught mine.

"No. It's not shit, you fucking hurt her and left me to pick up the pieces." Ashton approached Zac pulling him back from me. Ouch. That made it sound like Ashton was just giving me pity. Which I hate. My tears fell out of my eyes and I shook my head.

"You know what Ashton, just fucking use Brooke the way you use your other sluts and get it over with." Zac laughed and I felt a hit in my stomach. Slut. Was I one of his sluts? "You ought to be careful with this one, he might turn out to be like your dad."

"Don't you fucking talk about my dad." I screamed. Zac laughed.

"B, he said brother not dad." Brad whispered. My eyes widened. What is wrong with me? Ashton's eyes saddened.

"Oh did daddy break your little heart?" Zac cooed.

"Zac that's enough." Luke shouted. I pushed past the crowd and ran. My feet felt like jelly but I kept running and running. My heart was beating out of my chest and my vision was blurry through my tears. I couldn't stop running for about 10 minutes until I found myself in a little waterfall. My eyes tried to focus. It was calm and peaceful. Where was I?

"Brooklyn!" Ashton's voice became louder and louder until I seen his face clearly. I tried to walk again. I didn't want to talk to him. I was embarrassed and hurt. "Brooke, please stop."

"Why, so you can just trick me into your little plan?" I croaked. Ashton grabbed my arm.

"Ouch Brooke. I thought you knew-" Ashton's face was inches from mine and he ran his hand along my cheek, taking away my tears. I pushed his hand away.

"I do. I mean- I did. Until you were with 'Ness' this morning. You have a thing with her? Why were you a starting a thing with me if you had that? Did you just want me on the side?" I cried. Ashton's eyes were beginning to tear up and I looked away.

"Fuck, Brooke. Ness was a thing. We use to fuck okay? I haven't fucked any girl since the day you came to this school. She rang me on Saturday and I said no. I texted you straight after. You're not a thing okay? And if you are, you're my thing." Ashton yelled. I felt my lips quiver as I cried.

"I'm nobody's thing Ashton." I looked down and his hand cupped my jaw as he pulled my face up.

"You're so beautiful Brooklyn. I want you. I don't care how long you've been here. I really want you. I'll do all the boyfriend shit you want. I'll take you out, I'll walk you to school, I'll sit with you until you sleep-"

"I'm not your daughter." I chuckled. He grinned widely.

"Only you would ruin that moment. But serious, Montez. I would give all of this bad boy shit up if I got you." Ashton smiled. I felt tears still fall from my eyes. He barely knew me.

"Ashton... You don't know me." I sighed and he shook his head.

"Then let me know you. Fuck I want to know everything, your favourite song, the stupid sitcoms you'll sit and watch until you fall asleep, your childhood and your fears. Tell me it all. I want to know it all." Ashton's hand were still on my jaw. It kept my focus on him. We were so close, I could feel his heart through his chest.

"I'm afraid Ashton." I hesitated.

"So am I, Brooke." Ashton had tears fall from his eyes. I lifted my thumb and wiped them away. He chuckled lightly and my hand fell slowly away from his cheek. "I'm not your father, Brooke."

"And I'm not your mother, Ashton." I smiled and he did too.

"Fuck, you are so fucking cool." And in a sudden his lips locked with mine and I couldn't help but smile into the kiss. It was real. It wasn't the sort of kiss that you would get from a one night stand. It was real, slow and meaningful. My stomach filled with those stupid butterflies. I felt his hands grip my leg and I jumped up. Our lips pulled apart. He turned me around causing me to giggle.

"No more crying?" Ashton asked as he put me down. I shook my head.

"Thank you Ashton." I looked at him and kissed his cheek.

"I will get to know you Brooke. And I can't wait. It's like I'm opening a new book." Ashton cheered

"You're such a dork." I adjusted his glasses and he placed his finger on my lip.

"Shh, you'll mess up my image." Ashton draped his arm over it shoulder.

"I think I already did that." I smiled. I still hurt but I needed to move on. Plus, God knows what my brother has done to Zac.

"True babe." He laughed. "Let's go through here. You ran all this way, might as well explore."