Project Fuckboy || a.i

Chapter 11// Exposed

Kinda long because this chapter's an important one

.

Ashton's POV

[Four days later]

.

Though it's hard to believe, I've gotten used to this place. Only, the first day was excruciating, and so was the second. Whenever we had time out of the cells, all the jail mates stared at me, beating me down, flattening my pride. In here, I was just a scrawny teenager who screwed up and ended up in a lot of trouble, a bug waiting to be stepped on. It was strange to feel that way, since I've always been the one standing at the top, looking down at the others.

In the morning, I would read a book off the shelf. Then, so that I wouldn't be bored, I'd imagine I was back at home, doing the things I love doing: football, TV, flirting, partying... which made me sad but kept me moving. And then I would have lunch; something shitty and refrigerated from yesterday's leftovers, and ate alone. Then it was cell time again. Counting how many scratches were on the stone walls, even carving a face onto a corner, until it was time for dinner. And after dinner, I slept. I slept because there was no other way to pass time. I slept a lot.

By the fourth day, I feel filthy from the scrubs, and my back aches from the creaky bed. I can't even look at myself because there are no mirrors.

I don't know how the other jail mates don't go crazy. Some of them have been here for years, with no one left to come and visit them.

But my mother had been visiting me every day. And as for Azalea, she hasn't visited me since the first day. My mother says she's busy. She's been taking care of a sick Harry, and even helped Lauren study for her math test. But she'd always finished babysitting by six. She could've come seen me after six. But she hasn't. She was probably too busy for me, with her new play and all.

On the other hand, my mother had tracked down the lawyer yesterday, and we'd already met to discuss what will be happening tomorrow. At the hearing.

When I told him what I was planning to say about the 30th of September, he told me it might be an opportunity. And he told me we need to voice it, no matter what.

The hearing is tonight. Depending on what they think of me, I'm either going home or staying here for a long time.

...

"How's Michael?" I ask Calum, wincing. He stands awkwardly on the other side of the bars, as if still drinking in the sight of me. And I know I look like shit.

"He's hella great, actually," Calum says, his expression darkening at my question. "He woke up Friday morning and Azalea hasn't left his fucking side ever since."

Something sinks in my chest. "Is that why she hasn't come to visit me?"

"Most likely," Calum replies with a huff. With that, the two of us, now brooding, fall into a unanimous silence of anger.

That's it. That was the reason. It wasn't her play, or because she was taking care of Lauren and Harry. It was because she was seeing Michael that she hadn't come around.

Calum recovers first, forcing a smile. "She told me she'll come around in a few hours though. Just to make sure you're okay for tonight."

"Okay." I nod.

"Look alive, man," Calum chuckles slightly. "You could be out of this place by tonight."

"That's if the hearing goes well. I'm not exactly on the law's good side, you know," I reply. "Will you be there? And Michael?"