The two adults shared worried glances between each other and Michael as he ate, more like devoured, the food as if he hadn't eaten a proper meal in weeks
After a few minutes Michael was already sat with a full stomach and a empty plate in front of the nice looking men
That's when the questions started.
" So Michael... " Ashton begins softly, he doesn't know how to bring the conversation up but is certain to try and not send the poor boy into yet another panicattack.
" Would you like to explain why you were sleeping on the bench by the pond? "
Michaels breathing picks up at the question, however remains calm as his brain quickly fills with different explanations (lies).
"I-i fell asleep when I w-was feeding the d-d-ducks"
He silently curses himself for his stuttering. Michael has always had a problem with stuttering and it increases if he's stressed or when he lies, Right now it's a combination of the two and so his stuttering has gotten hell of a lot worse than before.
Fortunately the Irwins haven't picked up on this habit yet so they dismissed it as simply nerves or something close to it.
" Ok but why were you feeding the ducks so early in the morning? " Calum questions
Ashton quickly cuts in after Calums question to the small child.
"And what did you use to feed the ducks with? I didn't see any bread when I approached"
" I-i uh... I bought a muffin for breakfast at this little diner and I couldn't finish it so I gave it to the duckies before your got there "
Michael was pretty damn proud of himself for the lie but the adults saw right through it. They however decided to not interrogate the boy further and let the conversation go.
" Well Mikey you go to North Hill High( completely made up) right? "Ashton asks with a raised eyebrow
"Y-yeah I s-started yesterday"
Michael mumbled quietly as he played with the hem of the sweater, which was a little torn, but he didn't really have money to buy any new clothes so he was happy with his current wardrobe.
"that's nice, have you made any friends yet?"
even though Calum were pretty sure he knew the answer he felt the need to ask the timid boy anyway.
"N-No..."
Ashton cut into the conversation to lift the boys spirit a bit
"well it was only your first day, those are always the hardest. Don't worry though I'm sure you'll find yourself a nice group of friends soon."
Michael gave a shy smile towards the wavy haired man as a response without words.
Michael always had trouble talking, not only with his stutter but sometimes it just felt so... Heavy or hard to force words out of his pink lips, he had actually considered going mute for a while but his father didn't like the decision and would often beat the poor boy until he cried for him to stop.
"Well it's almost time for me to go to work... would you like a ride Michael?" Ashton asks a grin plastered on his face
Ashton smile is so contagious Michael finds himself actually wanting to smile instead of just faking it and pretend to be ok
"U-uhm if it's not any t-trouble for you sir" Ashton chuckles a bit at the nervous teen
"No need to call me sir here,Michael just Ashton is fine" He gives Michael a reassuring smile to actually convince the boy that he actually means it.
"Thank you Ashton" the boy practically whispers while his eyes move down to look at his worn out sneakers
The two adults can't stop themselves from cooing which makes Michael turn a severe shade of red
Ashton starts to feel bad for the now red timid boy in front of him
"Sorry Michael, didn't mean to embarrass you" He says with an apologetic smile
Michael doesn't answer just gives a nod to the adults
Ashton grabs his jacket and ties his shoes while Michael stands awkwardly by the door.
Calum notices the boy didn't have a jacket when he arrived on his husbands shoulder and frowns a bit, it was getting chilly outside and was often close to freezing in the mornings so how the boy could sleep with just a hoodie amazes him. He decides to speak his mind to bring the attention to Ashton as well
"Don't you have a jacket Michael?"
"uh y-yeah I do but I -i forgot it at h-home" Michael lies through his teeth and look at his too long sleeves that covers his hands
Ashton frowns at the statement not believing a word leaving his pink lips but doesn't confront him
"here take this jacket, it's actually our son but he won't mind"
Ashton says but doesn't wait for him to answer before sliding the Letterman jacket over the frail boys shoulder
"t-thank you ''
"No problem sweetie,we're happy to help"
Calum opens the door for the two and they make their way to the car
On the way to school Michael prays that it will be better than yesterday.
Michael had no such luck.
YOU ARE READING
The Foster Kid
FanfictionI suck at these so... Michael had a rough childhood. His mom died when he was little and his dad didn't take it well. So what happens when Ashton, one of Michaels teachers finds out just how bad his homelife has become? I promise the book is better...
