Embers [Lashton]

Chapter 4

*Luke's POV*

My reflection glares back at me with hauntingly blue eyes. The scars from the fire are weaving up and down my slim arms. My blue cast weighs down on my wrist as I try and fix my hair into its normal quiff.

A soft knock hits the bathroom door. I open it, seeing a guard offering a sympathetic smile.  He glances at the burn marks up my arm. "Your bodyguard is downstairs."

"You're my bodyguard, too, why don't you come to school with me?" I respond, biting out the words with an immature scowl. He laughs and resists the urge to ruffle my hair.

"I think you'll like this one more than me."

I frown again at myself in the foggy mirror before sighing. My guard is already down the stairs and out of sight. My heart thuds as I prepare to meet this new guy.

Slowly, I make my way down the stairs. Wooden steps creak beneath the weight of my feet. Idle chatter coming from the living room hits my ears, so I follow the sound and push open the door.

Standing next to the tall frame of my father is tattoo-clad brunette. His tangled curls are held out of his eyes by a red bandana, the only color in an all black outfit. He glares at me with an "I'm so over this shit expression". I'm sure it's much better than my slack-jaw, doe-eye gaze.

Words catch in my throat, but my father breaks the silence before I can clear them out. "Luke, this is Ashton. He'll be attending school with you now."

I want to say something cool, to prove to the muscular hulk of a man that I don't need his protection. But instead, the phrase, "are you a little old to pass as a high schooler?"

His hazel eyes narrow at me like the target of a sniper. "Aren't you a little young to be?"

"I'm 16," I scoff, crossing my scar-covered arms.

He does the same with his tattooed biceps. "Could've fooled me."

"Alright now," Dad leaps in, picking up my navy book bag and handing it to me. "It's time to get going."

His smile is hiding a pile of nerves, as is the small one I offer back. He's worried about not having me under military protection. Understandable, I suppose, given what happened with Uncle Dean and then Ben.

"Oh, and, bud?" He starts, eyes slipping to my exposed arms.

"Yeah?"

"Maybe you should put on a sweatshirt."

I nod and obey, slipping on my school's sweatshirt. Everyone's going to know anyway.

I trail Ashton out of my house into the driveway. Ashton's car is a bucket of rust. The navy paint is covered in scratches and the body in dents. A scowl finds its way onto my face.

"Sorry it's not the fucking Escalade you're used to." He snaps, throwing the door open. I hear him mutter "pampered bitch" at the end and anger flares in my veins.

I rip open the passenger side door and huff in my seat. "You don't know shit," I grumble, trying to swear more to sound tougher.

Ashton lets out a low chuckle, "tell yourself that. Bitch."

My fists clench, nails digging into my palms and surely leaving indents. "You're an asshole."

He smirks and glances over at me, capturing my eyes in a glare I can't break, "at least I don't take it up mine, right, Blondie?"

Heat rushes to my cheeks and I turn bright red, instantly facing the window. He laughs at my reaction and diverts his attention back to the road.

"You don't know anything," I grumble, crossing my arms.

"You already used that line, kid. Maybe you should work on extending your vocabulary."

"Maybe you should shut up," I snap back, sounding more like a child than an actual threat. Ashton grins coyly at me once more.

"Nice comeback, Blondie."

I roll my eyes and practically fall to my knees in relief as we pull into the school lot.

"Aren't people going to notice a new kid who follows me around to every class?"

"We don't have every class together."

"Then what's the point of you being my bodyguard?" I ask, climbing out of the car and walking towards the large, modern building.

Ashton sighs heavily, "my number is in your phone. If you need something, call me, alright? It'll be helpful to have someone at the school so I can get to you quickly. Not that I'll have to."

We step inside and people immediately take notice. Four girls from my grade rush up to me, gawking over the cast.

"Oh my god, Luke. We heard about your house! Were you, like, totally scared?" A red haired girl interrogates, her talon-like acrylics stab into my shoulder. Ashton takes a step towards me.

"Oh, it was fine, I guess," I stammer.

"Well, thank god. It'd be a shame if your cute face had burned, you know?"

"Yeah," I scratch my head awkwardly. The girls smile once more before walking away. I stand dumbfounded as Ashton checks out their butts in skin tight yoga pants.

"You're like a celebrity, Blondie."

I shake my head and dismiss him, leaving to go to my first class. The rest of the day will be more of the same, and I am in no mood.

*Author's Note: Calum is coming soon, I promise. Hope you're enjoying it so far. If you have any ideas for me, let me know and I'll try and work it in*