Dare (Lashton)

2

-Ashton's POV-

I couldn't believe that Luke had talked to me. Luke, of all people.

I had a crush on Luke, I had since freshman year.

We were seniors.

When he talked to me, I was awkward. Of course; I was always awkward.

He had only ever spoken to me a few times before, a little bit in our first two years of high school.

When I got home, I sat on my bed and sighed.

I had homework, but I really couldn't motivate myself to work on it.

I took a bite of my Smore's pop tart and decided that it wouldn't kill me to tidy up my room a little bit, even though it was already pretty clean.

I tossed the couple articles of clothing that were strewn around my room in the laundry basket that was in my closet and rearranged the candles and things that were on top of my dresser.

"Ashton?" My mom called, knocking on my door.

"Yeah?" I asked and she walked in.

"Hey." She smiled.

"Hey." I responded.

"I'm going out with Greg tonight. So you can order pizza or whatever you wanna do." She informed me.

I nodded.

"Okay."

She smiled.

"If you need anything, call me." She said. I nodded and she left the room.

I looked around my room, trying to find another thing that needed to be done.

I decided to do laundry.

There wasn't a lot, but I figured it was probably enough to keep me occupied for a bit.

***

It was almost midnight, and I couldn't put my homework off any longer; not if I wanted any sleep.

I got my bag and pulled out my black binder, digging it for my homework.

I eventually pulled it all out, realizing that it wasn't as bad as I thought.

***

The next morning, I drove to school and grabbed my headphones and phone, and my bag.

The bell rang soon and I went inside, walking alone to my first class. I had Luke in this class, and his two best friends.

Luke was in all of my classes except second and seventh period.

That gave us six classes and lunch together.

I sat down and Michael, Luke, and Calum sat by me again.

I felt kind of bad for the things that people would say to and about them for even being around me.

Of course, they didn't care much. And they had a lot of friends that probably wouldn't have cared.

"Hey Ashton. I like your shirt." Luke told me.

I looked down to see what shirt I was wearing, realizing that it was a Blink 182 shirt.

"Thanks." I said.

He smiled.

"Are you okay?" He wondered.

I nodded.

"Just tired." I lied.

He frowned, but nodded.

At least it was Friday.

"Here. If you need anything, text or call." He said, handing me a piece of paper with his number on it.

"You too." I said, giving him mine.

He smiled and nodded, putting the small paper in his pocket.

Unfortunately, Luke wasn't in my next class. Second period was boring and slow.

"Ashton? Would you like to share the answer to number four?" The teacher asked.

"Um, thirty two?" I quietly responded.

She nodded.

"Good."

I looked at my paper for a second before looking back at the wall, my mind drifting to Luke.

He had changed so much since freshman year. But it was a good change. He pierced his lip, and changed his hair. His style also changed a bit, but it was a good change.

Why was he talking to me lately? What happened?

I couldn't stop thinking about him all class, until third period where I finally saw him.

Michael was in that class as well, but not Calum.

Michael sat behind me, and Luke sat next to me.

***

In eighth period, the last class of the day thankfully, he spoke to me again.

"Ashton? Do you know the answer to number seven?" He questioned. Michael and Calum were looking at me, impatiently awaiting the answer.

"Um, B." I replied. Luke smiled his cute little smile and circled the answer.

"Thanks."

"Mhm"

The class went by quickly, and I rushed home.

"Ashton? I made cookies!" My mom called.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie from the large plate of them.

"How was school?" She questioned.

"It was okay." I shrugged.

"Anything interesting happen?" She wondered.

"Not really." I replied.

"My crush talked to me." I said after a minute.

"That's great, honey!" She exclaimed.

I forced a smile and nodded.

"I'm gonna go do homework." I lied, exiting and going up stairs and to my room.

I dropped my bag and plopped down onto my bed.

Suddenly, I couldn't stop thinking negatively.

Stupid
Freak
Emo
Waste of space
You deserve all the hate you get
Lazy
Disgusting
Ugly
Fat
Terrible
Annoying
Die
Die
Die

I rushed to grab my small bandaid box, pulling out my favorite blade.

I made a few fresh cuts on my arm and sighed.

As more negative thought bounced around my mind, I left more cuts on my arm and on one of my legs.

When the burning sensation replaced the thoughts in my head, I sighed in relief and replaced the blades in my dresser.

***

That night, I had to give myself a small prep talk to get out of bed and shower.

I turned the water on and stripped, looking at my reflection.

Disgusting.

I sighed and looked away, getting in and standing under the warm water.