Ashton was nowhere to be seen when I got to school. He usually has been waiting by my locker like he has been for the past week. We don't have a label. We haven't kissed since I passed out that day. We are just keeping it calm for right now.
I walked through the hall by myself. I glanced down at my new shoes that Claire boat me when we went shopping the other day. I've never had a foster parent buy me new clothes and shoes, I've never seen a number that high spent on only me.
"Josie, right?" I looked up and stopped walking to face the voice speaking to me.
"Uh yeah, hi Julie." I glanced up to see her.
"Hey, do you wanna grab lunch?" She asked. I don't want to deny her request, it was obvious she had eaten with Ashton and his friends but today it wasn't the case, she was shunned by them in the halls now and I noticed yesterday, she wasn't with their table at lunch. In fact, I didn't see her at all.
"Yeah, I'd love to." I flashed a weak smile in her direction before she walked along beside me and I gripped my paper bag tighter.
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In the beginning, Julie and I sat awkwardly. Before I finally spoke up and asked about where she was from. She found out about my foster care, but it was pulled from our conversation because she kept asking me the same questions and I mainly answered with "I don't know" or I shrugged. Julie learned much about me no one else knew. Not Calum, Ashton, or Ruthie. We dug all the way until the awkward ice breaker question of "what's your favorite color".
"Do you wanna catch a coffee after school?" She offered.
"You know, I'd love to, but I don't have a car."
"We can take mine, it's not big deal." She flashed me a warm smile.
"I'd love to get a coffee." The bell rang and I collected by books before throwing my trash away.
I ducked my head walking through the halls, avoiding eye contact, scared of anyone making jokes about my hearling incident the past week.
I smashed into a sweaty body knocking my neck back in a jerking motion, causing it to crack loud enough I swear the whole hall could hear it.
"Geez." I gasped. I heard no apology from the figure that smacked into me.
"Sorry." A cold apology erupted from my deep chest and I glanced up before patting my now bruising nose.
"Ashton?" I questioned. He grunted before shoving past me and walking the opposite direction.
"Ashton." I sternly spoke following him. He ignored my actions, obviously not knowing what to do due to the fact that no girl has attempted to interrogate him before.
"Ashton!" I jogged in front of him pressing my fingers to his chest. He sighed before picking me up and moving me to the side. I scoffed in annoyance, it echoed due to the halls emptying.
"What the hell?" I spoke at a minimal volume. He hung his head in defeat before turning to face me, a sizable distance between us.
"What?" He shrugged.
"Why're you so sweaty?" I asked.
"What's it to you?" He snapped. I cowered away in timidness at his tone.
"Sorry." He mumbled. I clutched at a normal amount again, my body relaxing again.
"Do you wanna tell me what's up?" I requested, taking a step towards him.
"Not really."
"You don't have to, but I could always fix it," I strode again, losing distance between me and Ashton.
"This is something you can't fix, Josie." My body felt cold with Ashton's harsh tone and words. My posture lowered.
"Sorry, I'll leave you alone." I turned the opposite direction, once again making my way to my class.
"Wait," I heard Ashton jog behind me and I swiftly turned before I felt a pair of lips quickly press to mine in a soft kiss before we released.
"Just, please, stay away from Julie. Don't get too close okay?" I wanted to scold him for shutting her out instead of inviting her along with his friends.
"Okay." I sighed, deciding not to let Ashton's angry side show. A small, toothless smile flashed in front of me before me plumply pressed his lips to my forehead. He held my cheeks and rested our foreheads together before striding in the opposite direction. I turned the other way as well with millions of questions still flooding in my thoughts.
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--aye. Short chapter. K. Bye.
-Dee
