The Foster Kid

6

As Michael made his way down the hall with Ashtons arm protectively around his shoulder he can feel the stares and hear the whispering of condescending words from his peers.

The shy boy naturally lowered his head trying to make himself as small as possible,this is of course noticed by the English teacher and he begins to rub the fragile boys back,frowning slightly as he can feel his spine so clearly through the sweater,this makes Ashton even more suspicious of the pink haired lad and promises himself to keep an extra eye out for the boy.

Ashton followed him all the way to first period which was history and Michael can't decide if he was relieved or nervous as he knows the comments that will attack him after the bell rings will haunt him tonight when he's in his bathroom alone,that is of course if he actually goes home or if he stays away for a bit so hopefully his dad will drink away the memories of Michael running from him.

The pair stops in front of Michales classroom and now Michael has officially started shaking, but he keeps it under control so Ashton won't think he's completely worthless but he can't help the small whimper leaving his lips as the Curly haired man took a step away from him

Michael doesn't know if it's because he knows he's going to get beat up when he leaves or if it's because of the strong comfort Ashton brings when he's close by but either way he's terrified of being alone.

Ashton doesn't hear the silent plead from the boy and smiles slightly at the scared kid as he begins to make his way towards his own classroom.

Now Michael stands there , alone outside of the classroom. He decides to quickly just sneak in so he won't catch anyone's attention but that plan goes to hell when the door decides to squeak like someone stepped on a house of mice.

All eyes are now on Michael and he can feel his heart stop and then explode, His breath gets caught in his throat and now he's standing there, eyes wide without the ability to breathe. his shortness of breath finally catches up with him and he feels like he's going to pass out. the teacher Mrs. Davis picks up on Michael's pale face and wide eyes and begins to approach the hyperventilating boy. They both step outside of the classroom and Mrs. Davis crouches down to the little boys height

"ssh,ssh I need you to breath ok? Just breathe you don't have to go inside right now just relax."

She keeps calming Michael down until his breath is fully back to normal.

" Are you lost little one?" She asks since a person this tiny can't be in high school, he looks like he belongs in middle school at least

Michael shakes his head and explain with as little words possible that he's in this class.

Mrs. Davis has a look of surprise on her face as she tries to take in the young boys looks questioning his weight and height.

"Oh i'm sorry i didn't know"

"S'alright" Michaels mumbles used to people thinking he's about 9 instead of 11

"Well since this class is almost over we can make a deal that you won't need to go back inside, you can just prepare for your next class okay?"

Michael doesn't verbally answer just nods appreciatively and begins to walk towards his locker only to stop by the sight of the same guys from yesterday but plus a few other guys he hasn't seen before.

"aaaw look at the little faggot,think you can escape your morning beatings by holding hands with Mr Irwin huh? well guess what, it won't work." another one of the jocks speaks up too

"Yeah looks like we're going to ave to reschedule to now" He says with a wicked smirk on his face.

Michael quickly turns his heel and sprints towards the school bathrooms but his ribs hurt from one of his fathers previous beatings plus outrunning jocks with no stamina is quite hard.

 The jocks quickly catch up to the panicking boy while Michael gets into fetal position. If it's one thing he's learnt over the years in a abusive household is to protect your organs so fetal position is the smartest for this type of confrontation.

This confuses the bullies a bit since none of their other victims reacts like this but quickly gets over it and start to kick Michael in the back while insults are thrown at him, like knives piercing his heart.

Luckily for Michael the second bell rings and the jocks are quick to run away, scared of the teachers and students filling out the hallway

Michael gets up just as fast since he too is scared of the other students and runs the best he can to the bathrooms. The 11 year old hides in the handicap stall while muffling his sobs using his hands.

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Ashton's casually strolling down the hallway towards the restroom. He doesn't have a class second period and the bathroom in the teachers lounge was occupied, he however did not expect to hear the distant sound of sobbing once he enters. 

Ashton always being the one caring for other makes his way towards the last stall, the sound of crying increasing the closer he gets until he stands outside the handicap stall.

He knocks quietly and hears the sobbing being muffled almost as if that someone was trying to quiet down the obvious sound of him hurting.

"Hello? You okay in there?"

He gets no response from the sad person on the other side of the wall and decides to step in anyway. Since the door is locked all he needs to do is simply look over the door and the sight breaks his heart.

In a corner of the stall sits a little boy sobbing into his knees successfully shielding his face from whoever would look in. What the boy didn't think of was that his pink hair was fully visible.

"Michael" Ashton says softly still looking over the stall door at the boy

Michael hears his name being called and slowly turns his head to see Ashton standing there, a look of sympathy and worry clear in his soft hazel eyes. As their eyes meet a small smile develops on Ashtons face

"what's wrong sweetie?" Ashton has already picked up on what an affect pet names have on him, it calms him down so much faster.

Michael cant bring himself to answer, his not sobbing anymore but constant tears rush down his sickly pale cheeks and he can't trust his voice. However that's not the main reason, when he breaks down like this he just doesn't want to talk, Because he knows it's in these moments he's closest to spilling his every little secret. And he can't let that happen, he won't let that happen.

Ashton figures he won't be getting a lot out of Michael in this moment and decides to speak up again

"Why don't you unlock the door mikey? I just want to help, can you let me help?"

Michael thinks it over and he knows he really shouldn't but the man brings him such comfort and he wants him right now, he needs him right now. He tries to stand but his legs are shaking so bad he can't get up. He lets out a whimper as more tears make his way down his face, can he be more worthless? he doesn't even have the strength to stand! 

"sssh sssh it's okay honey, take a breath Michael. There's no rush just take your time" The man coos

Slowly Michael begins to crawl towards the stall door and unlocks it. In less than a second Ashton has already engulfed the boy in a hug as Michael begins to sob again

"I-I can't" he whimpers "don't w-want to, ne-need out"

Ashtons heart broke hearing this and quickly made his way out of school, but Ashton didn't understand the extent on how bad michael wanted out, out of the school ,out of his fathers abuse and out of his life. Cause that would be sure to break the mans heart.