Adopted By Ashton Irwin

Chapter 16//Confusion

***Riley's POV***
"Dad I've been at school a week, they don't like me" I said between tears. All my emotions were building up since Calum was still ignoring me and coming home drunk, Nicole was still bullying me causing me to continue starving myself and on top of that, no one at school wanted to talk to me.

"Baby give it time, no one said it was going to be easy." Ash said rubbing small circles in my back trying to calm me down.

I nodded, wiping my eyes dry before continuing to get ready for school as if nothing happened. I walked downstairs and grabbed a bottle of water, putting it into my bag.

"Baby I'll get you some breakfast." Ashton offered, I shook my head no.

"They're selling breakfast in the school canteen, I'll just go there." I lied but he bought it. He nodded kissing me on top of the head.

"Enjoy your day, give them a chance." He added as I walked out the door and shut it behind me, before walking down the street to the bus stop. I met a few fans along the way wanting to take selfies with me but not too many.

When the bus arrived I reluctantly went on, sitting by myself like I usually did and all the way to the school no one said a word to me.
***
"Hey, are you the new girl?" a guy around my age asked while I was at my locker. I paused wondering why he'd even decided to talk to me, no one does.

"Um... Yeah I am." I said awkwardly scratching the back of my neck. He smirked and his friends let out a cheer, I never noticed they were there until now. The guy I was talking to gave them a dirty look causing them to go silent immediately.

"Cool, I'm Casey" he said casually, leaning against my locker.

"You should give me your number babe, maybe we could meet up in town someday" he said smoothly. He's obviously done this before; I thought.

"I couldn't... Sorry." I said awkwardly before walking away from my locker and the crowd of gobsmacked guys, going to my first class instead.

"Room 243... Room 243..." I repeated as I scanned the doors, pushing it open before going into maths class and quietly taking my seat, where no one seemed to notice me.

"Now class, about Pythagoras' Theorem..." I zoned out pretty early in the conversation, my mind drifting back to what happened at the lockers that morning. He wasn't bad looking, he had the physique of someone possibly on the football team, he had light brown hair sweeping over his forehead with bright green eyes. Riley why would you reject him? I asked myself. For some reason that same familiar face appeared in my mind.

Calum.

But he hates me, he didn't say anything to me for over a week now. And I miss him, but he's hurting me so much.

My thoughts stopped abruptly when the bell rang. I packed my books and strolled absent mindedly to my next class.
***
"Hey, Casey?" I asked awkwardly. He spun around quickly. "Riley? I thought you didn't want to talk to me"

"I know, but I thought again about what you said, so here's my number. Call me tonight and we can arrange to meet up some day after school or at a weekend." I said. He looked apprehensive at first but nodded taking the paper with my number on it out of my hand.

"Cool, I'll call you later then babe." He smiled, I nodded in response before walking off, a smile spread across my face.

***Ashton's POV***
"I really hope she's doing better today, she was so worried this morning." I sighed, looking up at Michael.

"Of course she is buddy, don't worry" he said comfortingly, tapping my shoulder before walking out of the kitchen. I shrugged off my worries and went to start making dinner.

***Riley's POV***
"Hey, I'm home!" I called, dropping my bag at the door, Ashton immediately appeared next to me, wrapping his arms around me securely, putting a kiss on the top of my head.

"How was it?" He asked, looking at me, concerned.

"It was okay actually, not as bad as usual." I smiled at him making a proud smile spread across his face as he ruffled my hair playfully, making me scrunch up my nose. "Hey!" I said, pushing his hand away and fixing my hair.

"I'm proud of you baby." He said with a small giggle. I gave him a quick hug and then headed towards the stairs.

"I'm getting dinner soon so come downstairs when it's ready." Ashton called.

"Okay" I replied, although I had no intention of eating anything.
***
"Hey Cal..." I started, desperate to start talking to him again. "I had a really good day at school today, I got on really well in my classes and made a new fri-"

He stood up and walked out of the room cutting my sentence short without muttering a word to me. Luke was sat next to me on the sofa and looked at me sympathetically. I just shook my head and stormed upstairs again on the brink of tears. I heard my phone ringing and picked it up putting it to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked weakly. "Hey... Are you okay?" I heard Casey ask. "Uh yeah... I'm just tired." I lied.

"Okay so about us..." He started. "Are we like... You know... Dating?" My eyes widened as the words left his mouth.

"I don't know... I mean... I don't know..." I said breathlessly. "Well... Do you like me?" He asked calmly.

My head spun as I thought of an answer, I licked my lips nervously.

"I think I do..." I said honestly but I couldn't be sure.

"I like you too." He said happily. "Would you like to go to the cinema with me some day this week?" He asked nervously.

"Sure." I giggled, "I've to go, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Sure thing babe, bye."  He said in a velvety tone. I hung up the phone.

Damn. I thought. I don't even know who I like anymore.

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A/n Howdy folks. I'm so sleepy this morning idk why heLP ME

Stay strong, ilysm <3