More Than a Teacher - Ashton Irwin

44

I insisted that the night was going to be spent curled up in bed where no one could bother us.

I mean, I deserve it. Especially after the extra hour of math I had to sit and endure with Michael and Luke.

When Ashton and I arrived home I'm more than
disappointed when things don't go my way.

I shove my shoes off and collapse back onto the couch, making grabby hands at Ash to come and cuddle. Ashton glances up at me from the kitchen bench where he unpacks both our bags.

"No, you're studying this afternoon. You've done nothing for your exam tomorrow."

My head shoots off the back of the couch and my mouth gapes. Ash is unfazed, continuing to muck around in the kitchen as I sit shaking my head.

Does he not want to relax?

"Mate, you can't be serious." I chuckle slightly at how ridiculous this is.

I hate to say it but at this point I really don't care about my math exam, or any exam at this point. My motivation has been thrown out the door in these past months. I used to try really hard because school was my only opportunity to get away from my parents but now it just feels like an effort.

"Don't you 'mate' me, Ava," He raises a brow as his index finger darts out in my direction to reprimand me. "You might not like it but I'm doing you a favour here."

I groan shamelessly, wanting him to know I'm not happy with this idea. It doesn't sit well with me at all. I'm tired and grumpy and those feelings have only been provoked by staying an extra hour at school.

He takes my math book and textbook out of my bag, unintentionally slapping them down on the kitchen counter in front of the middle bar stool.

He's really making me do this huh?

I guess there's no way of getting out of it, especially under Ashton's assertiveness. My stubbornness doesn't exactly help the situation either.

I pull myself from the comfort of the couch after I realize it's not going to swallow me up. Instead, I try to be rational and mature, and go take a shower. Maybe the warm water will wash off my annoyance and refresh my mind and attitude. I need to come to terms with the fact I'm not getting out of this.

I clean off, even washing my lengthy hair for the first time this week. It's something I don't do often because of the time and effort it takes to clean it, but I'll find anything to put off studying. I get into some pyjamas and wrap my hair up in a towel before opening the door to face the dread of study.

Much to my dismay Ashton stands right outside the bathroom door and has his arm out like he's about to knock.

"Fucking hell," I gasp in surprise, laying a hand over my chest. "What are you doing, you scared me."

He looks me up and down like he's inspecting my body for something.

"You were in there for an hour, thought you'd—yeah, just worried me for a moment." He cuts himself off, letting his shoulders relax in what seems like relief.

I look into his eyes, seeing the fear they encased, slowly disappearing as he's able to see that I'm completely fine.

"Oh Ash, I'm sorry. I was just washing my hair.
Didn't mean to take so long and worry you." I let my pride fall to the floor instantly, closing the gap between us to sling my arms around him tightly.

I hate to think he worries over something as small as me simply taking a longer shower than usual.

Even though he didn't say it, I know he was thinking I'd done something to hurt myself. I can't stand that my past experiences affect him like that and cause him such anxiety. He shouldn't have to live like that, the only person he should have to be concerned for is himself.