bluebells : lashton

4~ We'll Figure Something Out

**ASHTON**

After I had returned home and got changed I decided to go and look for Luke, he was so upset at the funeral. The thing was I didn't know how to comfort him, where he'd be, or if he would even want to talk to me.

Just as I was about to leave my mother yelled, "Where are you going?"

"Just to meet Calum at the stables." I lied.

My mother appeared out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishcloth, "Calum is at the market with Joy."

Oh dear, did she know I was lying?

"Oh," I tried to sound surprised, "Maybe I shall visit the stables alone then."

She nodded, "Alright, but take these bruised apples to feed them."

I sighed while she re-entered the kitchen and came out with a basket full of bruised apples.

"They are no good for cooking, I'm sure the horses will eat them though," She handed me the basket, "Be back before sunset, alright?"

"Goodbye," I called before exiting my home with a basket of battered of apples.

I hurried to the stables, dumping the apples inside for the horses.

I assumed Luke would be at his field, so that's where I went.

It was empty, the blonde was nowhere to be seen.

"Luke?" I yelled.

No answer.

"Luke?!" I sounded more desperate.

I began running up to the shack, my breaths shaky and uneasy, my heart pounding in my chest.

I roughly swung open the wooden door to the shack, "Luke..?"

He was lying motionless on the floor, his hair shielding his closed eyes. His suit was dirtied and even torn in places.

I fell to my knees beside him and brushed his fringe out of his face, "Luke?"

His mouth was slightly agape and letting out soft snores, thank god he was breathing. He looked so peaceful, yet so distraught.

I still had the basket in my hand, I'd feel rude waking him up, so I could leave him something for when he does?

I walked round the field for the next forty five minutes filling the basket with as many bluebells as I could find. Luke obviously loved the bluebells I picked for him, he had gotten so upset when Michael destroyed them. The look on his face was so heartbreakingly horrified, I don't know why I just stood there and watched, I should have done something.

But then again I couldn't do anything, Luke was completely discriminated in our town, if I was associated with him I would be too. Everyone who lived here believed that Luke was some sort of satanic sinner, that he was a homosexual.

I didn't know that for sure, but ever since I befriended Luke I didn't know anything for sure. I started to question everything I had been told since I was a child, everything about The Bible, God, Heaven and Hell. If Luke was a homosexual, that'd mean he'd be a sinner, and damned to hell- according to The Bible.

That couldn't be true, how could someone so pure as Luke be damned to hell?

I sighed and carried the basket of bluebells to the shack were he lay asleep. I left it beside him, he would know it was from me.

I hesitantly planted a gentle kiss on his temple, and left.

Just as I was passing the stables on the way home Michael appeared out of the wooden doors, "Ashton!"

I cautiously wandered over to him, "Hello, what's up?"

Michael was the stereotypical tough boy of us all, his best friend was Bradley, who was a short brunette boy who had recently moved from the crowded city Birmingham, he says that with all the new changes in the big cities it isn't safe for children. So he and his mum moved to our rural village. He was a bit rough, but that was only because he was still adapting to our, peaceful way of life.

He leaned casually on the wooden wall of the stable crossing his arms, "People have been talking."

I gave him a confused look.

"Bradley claims he saw you with the Hemmings boy this morning, here in this field," He said, his voice stern, "Were you? With the faggot?"

I shook my head quickly, "N-No I wasn't, ask Calum, he was here this morning too."

Michael clicked his tongue, "I will. But you'll still have to prove to us that you aren't a queer too."

I gulped nervously, what did he mean by that?

"H-How?" I stammered.

"Meet me here at sunset tomorrow, I'll bring the rest of the boys, we'll figure something out." Michael challenged.

I nodded, "Okay, well uh- goodbye Michael."

"See you tomorrow evening, Ashton."

I speedily walked home after that, thankfully my mother didn't question me on the whereabouts of the basket I left with. I was quick to get to bed, but not to sleep. I was incredibly anxious about the following evening, what will Michael make me do to 'prove myself'?

I dreaded finding out.

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K hi hello
Just saying this book is set in the past, like before there were phones and TVs and stuff, it is also set in England, and yes, everyone in the town are super Christian-y and actually believe that being homosexual is a sin.
Also btw ashton doesn't know luke (or himself) are gay, he knows that everyone calls luke gay but he doesn't really know what to think about it all because he was taught that gays are sinners and evil but luke is nice so ashton's kinda like well what's the truth?¿ if you know what I mean?¿
Anyway thanks to everyone who's commenting/voting it really means a lot thanks😁 And I am writing other stories too if y'all wanna check them out