Don't Leave

Electrical Shock

The mall was quiet, or maybe that was just how it was on a Tuesday night. "I'm hungry." Ashton said, instantly heading to the food court. I had a hard time keeping up with his pace. He walked a lot faster than I did. 

"Ashton walk slower!" I shouted. He turned around and stood still in the middle of the walk way, waiting for me to catch up. A few people tried to make their way around him, giving him rude glares for standing in the middle of their way.

He grabbed my hand, saying that he didn't want to loose me in the crowd of people. We made our way over to the food court, where Ashton almost immediately headed over to the candy shop. 

He skipped inside, letting go of my hand and grabbing a bag. I grabbed one too, and started to fill it with jelly beans and chocolate.

You know the saying 'like a kid in a candy shop'? That's exactly what Ash was acting like right now. "So where do you want to go first?" Ashton asked, looking around. 

"It doesn't matter to me." I said. "Oh come on, I know you better than that. Oh I know! We can go to Hot Topic!" Ashton said excitedly.

I nodded in agreement and followed him into the small shop. There was a Panic! At the Disco music video playing on the television and the store was weirdly crowded. A sales associate with spiked turquoise blue hair, a lip ring, and a pierced eyebrow approached us.

"Hey guys, welcome to Hot Topic, do you need any help?" He asked. Ashton shook his head no and tightened his grip on my hand. "Alright, cool. Just come to me if you need anything." He said, walking away. He turned around a gave me a quick wink before going back to what he was doing.

 Ashton pulled me into his side abruptly and shot the guy a dirty glare. "Ashton, be nice." I scolded. He ignored me and turned his attention to something else.

*Ashton's POV*

"Hey Ash!" I heard Rowan call. I turned around and saw her holding some shirts in her hands. "I'm gonna go try these on, okay?" She told me. I nodded and went back to looking at the CD's. 

I felt a tap on my shoulder, and assuming it was Rowan, I turned around and said "Well that was fast!"

"Wait, David?" I asked, rather shocked to see him. David Ray was the guy I got into that fight with before I was expelled. "Irwin." He simply said. 

"What do you want" I snapped. "Nothing, just saw you with the Evans girl. What are you doing with her?" He questioned. "What does it matter to you?" I said roughly.

"You're dating her now? Really?" He smirked. "Is there a problem with that?" I responded. "No, it's your reputation." He said in his annoying voice. 

"What is that supposed to mean?" "Nothing, I just thought you could do a little better than...her."

"What's wrong with her?" "She's Rowan Evans. Come on, dude. We used to pick on her all the time and now you're dating the little girl?" I rolled my eyes in annoyance. 

"I mean she's such a goody two shoes and you used to be feared but I guess she's probably rubbed off on you."

"How does this concern you? She's really cool, and I like her a lot." I opposed. "Whatever, mate. So how have things been since you got the boot out of school?" He asked, randomly changing the subject. 

"Things are fine." I said, really wanting him to leave before Rowan saw us and started asking a bunch of questions the way that she always did.

"Where did your parents send you?" "Norwest." There was an awkward silence before it looked like a light bulb went off in David's mind. "Wait, do you know Brian MacDonald?" He asked. Brian. 

The guy who was all over my girl. The guy I got in a fight with. Yeah I knew who he was. He disgusted me. "Yeah I think so." I mumbled. "Yeah he told me about you-" "Ash!" I head Rowan call. She was done.

 I quickly pushed David away and went to find her.

*Rowan's POV*

I saw Ashton pushing somebody away, but I chose to ignore it. I went up to the counter to pay for a Fall Out Boy shirt I found and liked, with Ashton behind me. "Let me get it, babe." He said, pulling out his wallet. 

"No, Ash I got it." I said quickly, trying to find the right bills I needed. "Yeah you're taking too long." He said, swiping his credit card and looking at the line behind us.

I thanked him and we left the store. I pulled out my phone to see I had multiple text messages from my dad.

Daddy- Please be home in thirty minutes

Daddy- Where are you?

Daddy- Rowan Evans, answer your phone right now

Daddy- Come home RIGHT NOW

Daddy- Rowan, if you aren't home in ten minutes, you're going to be sorry.

I looked up from my phone, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. "What is it?" Ashton asked. He knew something was worrying me. 

"I need to go home, like, now." I said, showing him the text messages. Ashton nodded and quickly ushered me out of the mall. He got the car going and drove over as fast as he possibly could.

"Ashton you are passing the speed limit!" I yelled. He ignored me and made a rough turn around the corner into my neighborhood. He pulled into the driveway and I quickly got out. "Do you want me to walk in with you?" Ashton asked, gripping my hand. 

"No, my dad hates you, remember?" I said, forcing a weak smile. "Okay well good luck in there." Ashton said, kissing me and getting back in his car.

I waved bye and hesitantly walked inside of the house. "I'm home!" I yelled, dropping my backpack on the floor and lowering my sleeves. Both of my parents rushed out of the kitchen. 

"Rowan Evans where on earth have you been?" My mom snapped. "I was out at the mall." I answered. "With who? Why wouldn't you answer your phone? Why did you go without permission?" She asked all at once.

"I'm eighteen, do I really need to ask?" I argued. "Yes, you do." My dad joined. 

"Who were you with?" I was asked again. "Ashton" I mumbled. "Ashton as in the boy I didn't want you being around?" My dad said, anger building up. I still didn't understand what was wrong with him.

"What's wrong with Ashton? He's a great person!" I defended. "It doesn't matter what he is, I said you were not allowed to see him, and you directly disobeyed me!" He yelled. 

"I'm done with this" I whispered, turning around to leave to my room.

I was stopped when my Dad grabbed my wrist roughly, keeping me where I was. He grabbed the wrist with the cuts on it, and it felt like and electrical shock running up my arm. 

"Let go!" I hissed, trying to free myself from his grip.

"If you keep disobeying me and seeing that little punk, then I am going to make your life miserable, okay?" He threatened. I was honestly terrified. My parents had never been like this before, and I didn't understand why this was happening.

 If they were going to be like this to me, I would be the same way to them.

"You can't make me" I spat, finally gaining the strength to yank myself away. "Watch me!" My dad yelled as I raced down the hall, up the stairs, and into my bedroom. 

I slammed the door shut and locked it and ran into my bathroom. I had to talk to somebody I knew I could trust with my life. 

Slowly pulling up my contacts, I dialed a number and pulled the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?" I heard Luke's voice say.

"Luke..."

"Rowan! What's wrong? Did Ashton hurt you?! Oh wait until I get my hands on that son of a-"

"No, it's my parents"

"Your parents?"

"Something isn't right."