Violence (Sequel to Have Faith In Me)

22: Unique family

Ashton was right: it was a good thing that he was here now.

We were sat in the Head of Year's office and Ashton was doing all of the talking so that I wouldn't have to. And for once our Head of Year wasn't acting like an asshole, probably because Ash was here.

He talked through all of my options and he was eager to keep me in his school. Publicity? Probably.

"However," He began, "she has been missing a lot of school lately, which we have tried to see from her point of view, but it is beyond a joke now." He spat. Ah there they are, the claws are out.

He didn't pause for us to interject. "Therefore, I would like to offer a solution. She's a very good independent worker. So I propose that she works from home, but if she needs any help, she can email or just simply walk into school for guidance. There is a online programming that we highly recommend, and if she wanted to join you at all on your travels, then she is able to, even if it is during term time. So long as she keeps up with her assignments."

Wow, we certainly hadn't thought about that option before.

I looked to Ashton and he raised his eyebrows. "That sounds like a pretty good option there Kayla." He tells me, in approval.

I nod and the teacher carries on. "Yes and the Travel&Tourism course would benefit from these travels, it could give the coursework an edge and a brilliant grade from it. I highly recommend this specialized learning opportunity. We would love to keep you on our system, but we would like to make you comfortable and help you thrive in your education." He smiles at me and as much as I dislike this man, I actually smile back. And I jump on the opportunity.

"You may even start now, get a head start. there are no boundaries for your learning you know. The exams will be in the same time next year for your new courses, but you may start learning content now if you like. The coursework has strict boundaries though, so you'll have to do that with the rest of your 'class', but I shall give you the list of materials you will need and you can start now and complete the syllabus on your own accord."

We completed all of the paperwork to drop out of this year's exams and start on next year. We thanked him and left the school, feeling very relieved indeed.

"So, you're free!" He said, giving me a high five and I laughed and gave him a side hug. I couldn't contain my relief. It was finally looking up, I guess.

We went home and I flopped on Ashton's bed as he packed his bags, ready to leave for the plane in a few hours.

I fiddled with his bandannas which he didn't wear as much anymore. I wrapped one around my head and tied it up. Ashton looked over and started laughing as it covered my eyebrows.

"Here, " he said, pulling it right over my head. He positioned it perfectly imperfect and snapped a photo, saying it was "freaking adorable!"

I snickered and threw a ball of socks at him. And he faked being shot and fell to the ground, playing dead.

I took my opportunity and leapt on him.

"Oooooommph." He groaned as my butt made contact with the small of his back.

I started laughing. Actually laughing. None of that fake shit. I started hysterically laughing, it was the funniest thing in the world to me.

"Oh, so that's funny, is it?" Ashton asked, flipping over and pinning me down, attacking my sides.

"S-Stop!" I screamed, flailing at his hands.

I squinted up and I could just about see his face in a blur. His eyes were like slits from laughing too, his dimples looking like they were going to be permanently engraved on his face. His mouth was wide and his teeth were showing, I could smell his breath, all minty from being freshly brushed.

He kept laughing as he eventually let me up.

"Bastard." I muttered bitterly, and jokingly.

"Excuse me what?" He asked intimidatingly, giving me an evil grin as if he was going to tickle me again.

I squealed and escaped from the room, running to another part of the house whilst I heard him laughing the background.

I found myself in the kitchen so I made us both a cup of tea, and opened some biscuits. We are Australians living in England, so why not pretend to be civilised and British?

I was a little sad that Ashton was leaving, but not as happy as I was that he actually took the time and effort to come here in the first place. I really appreciated the support. Sometimes even when you think you're alone, you've just got to open your eyes and realise that someone is there for you no matter what. Even if they're not on the same continent. Someone does care.

I brought him the tea and biscuits and sat down sipping and dunking whilst he carried on finishing his packing. He didn't have to take much, but he kept struggling to get it all to tessellate perfectly in his bag. So I just sat back and watched him, absolutely bemused by his struggling.

"Stop laughing at me!" He complained like a whiney kid. This only made me laugh more.

"I can't help it that you're a complete doofus!" I said in between gulps of air. He started to laugh along with me.

He finally got himself sorted and he went and met the taxi guy who had pulled up on the driveway.

When he came back in to say goodbye, I gave him another hug, with him squashing me within his arms.

No tears were shed this time. "Thank you so much Ashton, I don't know what I'd do without you! Like you even helped me sort out some other troubles that you didn't even know about before you got here, and that means a lot."

"Anytime, and you better believe that. We're all always here for you. Even though it's a rough patch right now. Every family has fights and misunderstandings, just because we're a slightly different sort of family, doesn't mean we're an exception. We all love each other, and that's the main thing." He reassured me, giving me one last bone crushing hug.

"You're going to be okay, aren't ya?"

I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine. I feel great, and I'm going to spend some time with my friends, and I'll get on top of studies and stick to my skating. I'll come and see you soon, fly out and see you at some point."

"That's a lot of restraint when you still want to know about Calum." He stated, surprised.

"I want to let things calm down for a bit. Let's be real here. We've just had a whirlwind of a time right now. I want Calum to have a clear head, and for him and Luke to sort things out, with whatever beef they've got going on." I say truthfully, I needed to be mature, if those two won't be.

He sighed. "Sorry to pull some sad strings here but, I think the only time things will be fully sorted is if we're all back together again Kay. They don't have to be here for it to be home. Home is when we're all together, and I think that's what everyone needs right now."

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okay im sorry i didnt update on monday, i saved it as a draft and then it wouldnt load on my phone, and then i got a cold with flu like symptoms and i havent been able to do anything more than sleep and help at the vets and repeat this process

but i would just like to say thank you so so so so SO freaking much for all the birthday wishes, they all made me smile stupidly to myself  but yeah bottom line i love you guys from the bottom of my heart, and im so glad that a stupid band who collectively took care of a plastic dog (and failed) have been able to bring us all together aw

also guess who doesnt start college until the 10th?? ME, and that means that ive got a week off to do what i like, aka i will be able to write freely and i havent written this in what feels like forever because i prewrote the last like 7 chapters lmao

so im excited for that omgomgomg

vote and comment???? ly xoxo