Secrets (A BruhItsZach/Zach Clayton Fanfic)

Chapter 14

"LET GO OF ME" I yelled as loud as I could, hoping the neighbours would hear, as my mum forcefully dragged me towards the house.

With my free arm I swung hard at her shoulder and through the impact she immediately let go of my wrist to hold her shoulder as she cursed at me. Without saying a word I bolted down the street. Once I reached the corner I looked over my shoulder to see her running into the car. I ran around the corner so she couldn't see me and jumped someone's back fence. I went up to their back porch and knocked frantically on their glass door.

A woman who looked to be around 30 came looking and when she saw me in a panic, rushed to open the door.

"Oh my god are you okay? Where did you come from?" she spoke hurriedly as she gently pulled me inside.

"I'm so sorry but someone was chasing me and I had to find somewhere to get away" I puffed out.

"Who was after you? Do you need a drink or anything?"

"No thank you and it was...some random guy, he just started bolting for me."

"We need to call the police" she stated as she walked towards the landline sitting on the kitchen counter.

"No!" I shot up from my seat on her dining table, "please don't call. Is it ok if I just stay here for about 10 minutes then I'll leave, please?"

She pondered my request before nodding. "Ok, do we need to call your parents or a sibling?"

"Uh, yeah I'll just quickly call my brother" I got up and walked out to the backyard where I took a seat on the bench.

I dialled Zach's number and waited impatiently as the phone continued to ring.

"Ashley where are you?!" Zach yelled through the phone.

"I'm fine Zach, I just had to rush off to my grandma's. It was an emergency. I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys..."

"AS long as you're okay...so what are you doing now?" he questioned.

"Well have you guys gone back to Ariel's yet?"

"No, we're sitting in the car outside Taco Bell."

"Okay, you guys go back. I'll be there as soon as I can okay?"

"Okay, be safe."

"I will," I smiled to myself before hanging up.

I let myself back into the unknown house, taking a seat once again in silence.

"Are you okay?" the woman asked as she re-appeared in the kitchen.

"I'm fine, thanks for not calling the cops on me or anything. I really appreciate it but I better be heading off now." I stood up and slid the chair under the table.

"That's okay, hun. Did you need a ride somewhere?" She asked politely.

"Well, I was supposed to be going to my friend's place but it's a bit of a drive, I don't want to trouble you..."

"No! Not at all. I can't let a young girl like you be roaming the streets in the middle of the night."

"If you don't mind, thank you," I smiled gratefully.

She walked us out, locking the house on our way. I got in the passenger seat of the car and made myself comfortable.

"Feel free to play whatever you want," she waved towards the radio. I brushed it off and left the current channel on. I peered out of my window and got lost deep in my thoughts. Soon enough the lady asked for reassurance on the address.

"Thankyou so much for driving me here, you really shouldn't have," I smiled.

"Don't be silly, it was my pleasure. Have a great night hun."

I left her car, waving a 'goodbye' as I approached the doorstep. Before I even got the chance to knock, the door swung open and I was pulled inside. I giggled as I noticed it was Zach who had me thrown over his shoulder like a child, nonetheless he didn't stop running through every inch of the house.

"Zach, what are you doing?" I asked through laughs. He put me down without looking at me as he opened a wardrobe cupboard in a bedroom. He walked in, pulling me alongside him, before closing the double doors. The room was pitch black and cramped.

"Shhh, we're all hiding from Loren and Maddie," he informed me. All of a sudden a flash of light was shone in my face. I squinted into the blinding flashlight. "Shit Ashley, what happened to your face, it's bleeding." He pushed my hair back behind my ear, investigating the cut. I pulled his hand away.

"I knocked my head on the car door, I'm fine, it doesn't even hurt." I wish it didn't hurt, it was still stinging from when my mother slapped me.

"Are you sure? We should go clean it up," he opened one of the wardrobe doors to be faced by everyone formed in a crowd around us.

"Now now, what do we have here? Two lovebirds in the cupboard?" Timmy smirked. I blushed at his comment while Zach proceeded to playfully punch him in the arm.

"If you would excuse us," Zach held my hand leading me to the bathroom. I took a seat on the benchtop beside the sink. I waited patiently, slightly kicking my legs, as Zach collected some supplies.

He went to work cleaning off the dried blood, then disinfecting it, all while making conversation with me. I couldn't keep myself from staring deep into his green eyes. He glanced into mine before his lips turned up into a smirk.

"What's so funny?" I questioned.

"You know, you could take a picture, it would last longer," he playfully winked, continuing to gently rub over the cut. I winced slightly.

"I don't want a picture, I want you," I smiled like an idiot. He stopped what he was doing and looked me in the eyes. He slowly leaned forward, one hand gently placed on my cheek. His soft lips met mine, gliding smoothly over the skin. His hands snaked down my back, resting against my lower back,applying slight pressure pushing my body against his. He slowed down and pulled away.

"I love you, Ashley."

"I love you too," I smiled, not daring to let go of him.

"Where did your mum take you earlier?" he questioned.

"Oh, she needed me to help her...pick out a card for my grandma. Yeah, it's her birthday in a couple days," I glanced away, not wanting to make eye contact in fear of him knowing I was lying.

"Oh, I just thought that maybe you would have come and told us before you left, that's all," he completely pulled away and looked down, cleaning up all of the medical supplies he had brought out.

"I'm sorry but she was in a rush," I reached out and placed my hand on his shoulder. He looked up and smiled slightly.

"It's all good, Ashley, let's get back to the rest of the group before they get suspicious," he laughed at the thought. He helped me down off the benchtop and we walked hand in hand down the hall, returning to the living the room.

A/N

First off, I'm reaaaaaaally sorry for everyone who has been waiting for me to update, trust me I haven't given up, I've just been really busy and adding to this chapter over a period of time. So I apologise if I've made any mistakes with matching things up with previous chapters as they've faded from my brain. Just let me know and I'll change it. Nonetheless, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter!

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-Shakira