The Cat | Ashton Irwin

two

Alex

  Ashton has been talking to me everyday. At first I was scared. Help? I don't need help. Now I'm starting to like help.

  He didn't even know me. Who would go out of their way every single way just to make a lonely girl smile? Oh yeah, Ashton Irwin would.

  Honestly, I hadn't cut in about 5 days, which is a record. Especially my mom, the short-tempered woman who screams at me every night, isn't making me feel as bad. Until last night, when the record was broken. But I can't tell anyone about that. It's funny how one simple gesture could make you feel like you actually do matter.

  At the moment, he is asking me about my day.

  "Great, actually. I finished my homework for once last night and I packed a good lunch." I responded with a smile on my face.

  "Oh, so do you want to sit at my table for lunch?" He asks, leaning towards me slightly. I start to panic. Ashton is one thing, his friends are something else. At our school, your classes decide your lunch. So all grades are together. I've noticed Ashton's table lately. It usually consists of Ashton, Michael Clifford, Calum Hood, Luke Hemmings, Luke's freshman cousin, Niall Horan, a hipster-looking freshman, Harry Styles, a junior, Josh Devine, and some of the people on the soccer team.

  "Yes." I answer, even though I couldn't be any more worried. I smile slightly and walk away, to my Algebra class. I'm not the best at math so a lot of freshman and sophomores are in my class.

  My seat is next to a boy named Zayn Malik, a freshman with a gorgeous face, there's no denying that. The problem is that he smokes, hangs out with people like Luke Hemmings and Liam Payne, who are trouble, and he's a total slacker.

  "Did you do your homework?" He asks me, setting his feet up on the table.

  "Yes, but you aren't getting it if that's what you're implying." I respond, and I can picture his expression, even though I'm turned away and can't see him.

  Our teacher, as always, doesn't seem to notice or care that at least six people are late. We sit through class watching the teacher, who barely talks, write on the board. Most people like Zayn just sit there, but I actually take notes because she always gives us pop quizzes.

  The bell finally rings, but it's time for lunch. I start to regret saying yes. Usually, I just sit at a table with a bunch of people I don't really know and I go on my phone, but I can't today. Ignoring the food, I take a seat next to Ashton. He turns and smiles at me. 

  "You came! I thought you weren't going to." He says and turns to the people that are already there. "That's Niall, my cousin, and his friend Harry." 

  "Hi." I say quietly. Harry smirks at me and Niall starts talking to me. He's actually really funny. More people sit down and Ashton introduces them too. I'm fine until Luke sits next to me. I'm not scared of many people but I am scared of Luke. He goes to all the parties and he drinks, does drugs, and he's such a player, so I've heard.

  "Is this your new girlfriend or something?" He asks Ashton without looking at me. 

  "Um, no. She's my friend, Alex." Ashton replies, as if he's already told him a million times. "Alex, why aren't you eating?" He asks, changing the subject.

  "Oh, I never eat at lunch. I'm not really that hungry." 

  "Is it because there's a bunch of guys around you?" Calum jokes. I shake my head and smile shyly. 

  "Go get something. Seriously." Ashton whispers in my ear, like he's concerned or something. Quite honestly, I was glad to leave that table for a minute, so I got up and walked over to the lunch line. 

Ashton

  "You like her, don't you?" Niall asks. He seems genuinely curious. 

  "Yeah, I do. But she doesn't like me like that." 

  "I think she does. Why else would she want to sit here?" He points out, gesturing to all the people at our table. I shrug as I see her walked back with an apple.

  "An apple? That's it?" I ask, as she sits down. 

  "The food here is gross." she answers, scrunching up her nose. It's adorable.

  "It is. What do they even have today?"

  "I think it's some sort of meat? I don't know." she says, looking up at me. I'm not paying attention, just looking at her arms, where there is new scars. She sees me and quickly tries to pull down her sleeves.

Alex

  He wasn't suppose to see. The hurt in his eyes is unbearable. I stand up quickly and throw my apple away on the way out. I can't stay in the cafeteria with him looking at me like that.

  "Alex, wait." I hear him say, and I turn around to see him walking towards me. "Why did you do this? What happened?" he asks when he's close enough to me. 

  "I-I can't tell you." I asnwer, my voice quivering. "It's complicated. You wouldn't understand." 

  "What I don't understand is why you have to do this to yourself, and I won't understand until you explain." Ashton is now holding my arm in his hands. 

  "M-my mom." I finally say, and I actually let myself cry. He pulls me in for a hug. "She hates me. She's never home, and when she is, she's drunk. Ever since my dad left. Last night, she-" I pause, too scared to tell him. 

  "What did she do? You can trust me, I won't tell anyone. I promise."

  "She punched me. Not my face, but she punched and kicked me. She probably had at least 3 beers and two full bottles of wine." I tell him, and I can feel him frown until he pulls away.

  "I'm so sorry." he says, rubbing his forehead. "I didn't know. You can stay with me if you want?"

  "Like she'll let me do that. I know her, she'll call the police and tell them that I ran away. Which technically will be true, but she'll be sober when she calls. It's happened before." I explain, and the bell rings. "I have to go to class." I start to walk to my next class when he calls for me.

  "Alex! Meet me in the parking lot after school." He tells me before walking down the hall. Even though he can't see me, I smile. He actually cares about me, and what's been happening.