In time [H.S]

Time.

Ashley's POV.

20 more minutes. That's all I kept thinking about. In just 20 minutes I'll be in college. Away from home, from everyone I knew and grew up with. My mom was dropping me off. We never really got along me and her. We always saw the world differently. Ever since dad left us for his new wife, shes changed. We never argued or anything but now that's all we constantly do. Mom had become a drunk and stopped caring. She only cared when it came to her job. I was always out studying or at work trying to stay away. Whenever she was sober it was worse. She would always ignore me or just stare at the tv. Sad to say that i preferred her more when she's drunk.. At least she acknowledges me. Even if it is to hit me or mentally abuse me. But now things were going to change. I was 19, going to college, about to live on my own. I was going to study computer and math science at NYU. I loved Jersey but i loved the city life more. That's why New York was perfect for me.

"We're here" my mom broke me out of my thoughts as we turned onto the street. I smiled so wide at how happy i was going to be living here. everything was going to be perfect for me. As i got out of the car i looked up at my apartment building. I didn't want to live in the dorm seeing as i love my privacy so instead I'm paying for a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment. It wasn't too expensive for me especially with the job that i have and the money that i saved.

As i walked up the steps and through the hallway i passed a couple of doors. 401..402..403.. Ahhh 404. Finally i made it. I opened the door and smiled instantly. I have been here a few times just to make sure things were good when i first arrived here. everything was in place and all i needed to do was unpack a few bags and boxes with personal things i needed.

Mom stepped in with the last of m things in hand and looked around unfazed by everything. she looked at me, dropping the box to the side and i thought that maybe for a second i saw it in her eyes that she didn't wanna say bye. but that soon went away when she said "see you whenever." And just liked that she left. I wanted to cry at how much she didn't care for me leaving. But i decided for right now to let it go, I was trying to start over not go back. So i had decided that i was just going to unpack, clean,
shower, eat, and get everything ready for my first day of college tomorrow..

By the time i finished unpacking i noticed it was only 7:00pm. I was a bit sleepy but i decided to go and watch tv. I was flipping through channels when i saw that spongebob was on. Yeah I'm 19 but i don't care i loved spongebob. As i was watching i was slowly drifting off to sleep when my phone started buzzing indicating that i had a text message. I took the phone and swiped it. It was my best friend Niall texting me.

(Texting)

Niall- Hey, moved in okay?

Me- Yeah just fine. Mom kind of upset me without saying a proper bye but you know how she is i guess.

Niall- Yeah.. Just don't think to much about it. At least your out of that hell hole.

Me- haha, yeah. I miss you though. It's going to be hard not seeing you everyday.

Niall- yeah same here. Well see each other soon though.

Me- yeah. But hey I'm going to go to bed. Big day tomorrow. I love you. I'll see you soon.

Niall- i love you too. Be safe.

And with that we stopped texting.. I knew it was going to be hard not being with Niall everyday. We practically grew up together. Him always being around to protect me. But i know i had to leave that place. It wasn't good for me.

As i turned off the tv and out my phone to charge i laid in bed thinking. How will things be tomorrow? Will it be just like school back then? I hope not. Not the best years of my life. I went through a lot as a child. I has to grow up pretty fast. Kids in school always teased me too. They would call me names, pick fights with me, you name it. It got to me sometimes. Niall would always try to be there to stop things but he couldn't be there all the time..

* flashback *

"Hey loser, wheres your bodyguard? Did he finally realized you deserved to be picked on?" Raymond said. "Leave me alone guys, I'm not in the mood for it today" as i walked away i felt something hit me. When i turned around i learned that it was a pencil. I was already bruising up from moms beaten last night, i didn't know if i could take another one. When i decided to ignore it and walked away that's when he decided to trip me. I fell flat on my face. I heard the laughs coming from around me but i decided to just try and hold in my tears. Pushing myself up was so hard especially when your arms were hurting so bad from multiple cuts and bruises. When i got up i faced all of them. They kept laughing and just when i thought i could walk away they pulled me back and started hitting me everywhere. They made sure to watch out for my face because they didn't want anyone knowing the damage that they caused to me. When they were done i was left there crying. I wanted to go home and hide. And just as i thought i was alone Niall came running saying how sorry he was for not being here..

* end of flashback *

Ever since that day Niall always told me he'll be there for me. That incident wasn't the last though. I just never told Niall the truth so he thought everything was getting better besides the whole mom thing but when in reality it was just getting worse. But everything did get better because That same day i learned that i got into NYU. And that meant i would be leaving all my bullies behind. As i was thinking more about the past and how lucky i was to leave i felt myself drifting off to sleep..