Perfectly Unseen

24: blushing hot mess

B l u s h i n g
                    hot mess
                 ~+~+~+~

The bell rang indicating class was over and I instantly felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand erect. It was such a helpless feelings as my hands trembled while I pushed my books into my bag.

I couldn't help but to wish for Ashton to be outside waiting.

But why would he be? I snapped at him to leave me alone.

Facing the inevitable, I slung my bag over my shoulder and made my way out into the crowded upstairs foyer. It was like knowingly walking into a trap. My heart was racing and my body shook until I was practically vibrating.

"Bîtch-"

"Run-" A ferocious voice growled out as the six foot giant stalked dangerously towards Lucas, who had been waiting by the row of lockers for me. "-the fûck away, now." His back was tensed until his black t-shirt showed every rigid muscle.

He looked like he was trying so hard to hold back from throwing a punch. Lucas sensing this, was gone within seconds, sneering at me as he swiftly walked off.

"Ashton," my hand lightly tugged the material on his back, trying to get him to turn to me.

Suddenly I was pressed into his hard body, his arms wrapping around me tightly as he held my head to his chest. My heart threatened to break through my chest as it pounded inside of me. I could feel it beat against him. I'm sure he felt it too.

"I won't let him hurt you again, Ailie." He whispered in a low growl into my ear, his hands holding my two braids as he pulled away slightly, "I'm sorry." His dark blue eyes were so tortured as he looked at me that my own filled with tears. "You didn't deserve that." He whispered brokenly, catching the tear rolling down my cheek as he held my face. I knew instantly that he wasn't just referring to Lucas, but to my dad. He witnessed it after all.

I shoved my face into his chest, bunching his shirt tightly in my fists as I tried to pull myself together. Ashton was sorry. Why did that mean so much?

"You aren't unloved, princess." He whispered into my hair, causing me to glance up at him, "You have your sister and that brown haired girl and all the teachers love you and...and even...even the quarterback." He frowned, his eyes looking into mine determinedly. "Okay?" His thumb dried my tears softly as he bit his bottom lip. "Smile, Ailie. No more tears, okay?"

I inhaled deeply, putting back up my brave face as I stood up. "Thank you, Ashton." I mumbled, feeling my chest burn with gratefulness. "I'm sorry I told you to leave me alone." I blushed looking down at my feet.

He smirked, back to normal as he tipped my chin back up. "You're not getting away with it that easily." He purred, leaning towards me until all of the blues in his eyes were visible, "You'll pay gravely for it, princess. I promise."

And with that Ashton left me in a blushing hot mess, trying to wrap my head around what just happened...and what exactly he meant by 'I'll pay'.

I think my number was finally up.

~+~+~

"Ailie!" The brown haired girl abruptly pulled me into her tiny embrace as soon as I walked into the girls changing rooms, squeezing the breath out of my lungs like a balloon.

"Emma." I smiled, hugging her tightly back for a few more seconds before we let go. "Are you feeling better? You were sick on Tuesday and Wednesday, right?" I asked, turning away from her as I quickly changed into my gym clothes.

"Yes, it was horrible. I never get sick." She whined from behind me. "But enough about me --I heard a rumour about you." Her finger poked my ticklish neck as I let out a giggle, trying my sneakers up.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll hear a lot more too." I groaned, wiping the smile off my face, "What one did you hear this time?"

Her arm looped around mine as I stood up, "I already know the Ashton one's are complete bull." She reassured me as I released a breath of relief, "But yesterday I heard you were seen skipping school with Liam." She giggled, singing his name suggestively as I blushed. "And seeing as you two were both absent for Debate, I figured there might be some truth to it this time."

We walked out of the locker room as she begged me to tell her while my cheeks steadily grew hotter. "Okay, okay!" I held up my hands in surrender, "I was upset and he comforted me-"

"Oh, sounds so naughty." She giggled, covering her mouth with her hands. "Liam freaking Turner. Do you realize how lucky you are?" Her eyes glazed over as she dreamily gazed off. "He's so sexy. I mean, how do you even talk to him? Even in Debate class I'm stuck tongue-tied just watching him." Her lips turned up into a grin, "I ship it. I ship it so hard that my own heart is at the mercy of the outcome." Her hands grasped my shirt as she looked up at me under her bangs. "Tell me everything."

I bit my lip, holding back my laugh as she practically jumped up and down. "Well, he bought me ice cream-"

"What flavour? What kind did he get?" She gasped, "I need all the details. Like did you walk, or take his truck? How much was the ice cream? What was he wearing? What were you wearing? Was he like really sexy or extremely sexy? How-"

"Emma!" I bursted out in laughter, "You're crazy." Shaking my head I grabbed her hand, pulling us over to the rest of the class who looked to be getting ready for a game. "I'll tell you everything I remember, okay? Just slow down with the quest- oof!"

My eyes flickered from the dodgeball rolling away to Ashton who was grinning wickedly while leaning against Missy -a blonde cheerleader, of course- whispering into her ear. He didn't fool me for a second.

"Did you just?" My jaw went slack with disbelief, feeling the slight pressure of the onsetting headache from being hit in the freaking noggin. "Ryder!" I growled, picking up the ball and launching it back at his stupid face without hesitation.

Of course, the pompous jerk dodged it. Missy, however...well that was a whole other story.