Wittshome Ranch

Chapter 15

Ashton's POV

Michael and I slowly walk up to Angela's office, where the crying seams to be coming from.

"Ange, Ange Sweetie calm down. Breath. I need you to breath. Angela look at me." Jake says as calmly as he can trying to get her to calm down. It doesn't help, if anything the sobs become more intense. I look over to see Michael very tense, and I know right away what he's going to do.

"Michael." I whisper. "No, don't even think about going in there. It'll make it worse if she finds out we know. We need to leave." I say and start to turn around, but Michael grabs my arm.

"No, Ash. I can't just leave her like that!" He whispers back.

"You're not her hero, Michael."

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Michael's POV

"You're not her hero, Michael." Ashton whispers to me. And for some reason that makes me angry. I want to be her hero. Ok, maybe not exactly her 'hero' but I don't want to see her like that. And the fact that Jake is in there comforting her, well I've never really been more jealous than I am right now.

"I don't want to be her hero." I hiss. A little to loud, because the sobbing stops and Jake asks what that was. Ashton and I look at each other and turn around and run out of there. We're in the house just long enough to catch our breath when a red eyed Angela and a worried Jake come in.

"Hey guys, change of plans. We're gonna do our first group session before we ride." She says and smiles. Ashton smiles back, and Luke nods nervously, while Calum smirks. I groan internally as we all go into the living room. I've never been in a 'group session' before but if it's anything like a normal session it's going to be painful. The boys and I go sit in the living room with Jake while Angie gets us coffee. I plop myself next to Ashton and try not to glare at Jake, so I just glare at the ground and hope they just assume I'm angry about the session. Luke and Calum sit on the couch across from us. Luke looks super nervous, he doesn't handle stress well. Calum's just sitting there like he's above it all. He's actually not as well as everyone thinks he is. Ashton's pretty open about his illness but the rest of us aren't. Not that I have an illness mind you. After a few awkward minutes of sitting in silence, Angie comes in, her peppy attitude and smile clashing with her puffy eyes. She sits next to Jake, setting her coffee on the table.

"Ok ya'll, you guys seem like a pretty tight knit group. Am I right?" She asks, looking at each of us. We all look at each other and nod, looking back at her. "Ok, we'll the first thing I want ya'll to do is start with naming the one thing that you're most scared of." I sit up ubruptly, prepared to leave when Ashton starts talking.

"I'm scared that I'll never get better." He says looking at the ground. Of course he's so quick to participate.

"You want to add onto that at all, Ash?" She asks gently. He shakes his head no, and she nods understandingly. "Anyone else want to say something?" After a couple of seconds Luke hesitantly raises his hand. She nods at him, signaling for him to go ahead.

"I'mscaeredofthethingspeoplethinkofme." He says in one breath before turning pink and looking at the ground. She nods sympathetically.

"That's completely understandable, Luke. You're in the spotlight all of the time, everyone looks at you and wants to know everything about you. It's hard, but hopefully we'll find a way to help you get a handle on it." She says incredibly gentle, smiling at him. He nods, turning slightly less pink. She looks between Cal and I expectantly. I roll my eyes.

"Screw this, guys. This is the stupidest thing I have ever seen. No way I'm going to do this!" I react before I have to say something about myself. Ash looks at me startled.

"Michael..." He whispers to me with a warning tone. Before I can react, Cal speaks up.

"I'm scared I'm going to lose my best friend." He says while looking me directly in the eyes. Angie nods.

"Michael, I think it's really important you realize these three boys sitting in here with you care about you. You may not see it now, but they do. And Jake and I care about you too. It's time you start to care about yourself." Are you serious? I've never heard something more stereotypical then that. I stand up, looking directly in her eyes.

"Screw you." I say and storm out.

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A/N I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever I've been so busy with school and stuff! I'm so sorry! But here's and interesting chapter! I'll update as often as I can!! Also it's my birthday on Sunday so I'll probably update extra on Sunday!! Thanks guys!