Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover -boyxboy

Chapter 1

*Ashton's POV*

You know how they say that the only person you can be is yourself because everyone else is taken and originality is the best? What if you're someone you wished to be? Or someone that you know you could be if life was easier? Does that make you fake? Does that mean you're a bad person and just trying to fit in with society?

It's my senior year. Sadly. You may seem so surprised on why I seem upset. But that is because I am upset. You see, school is my favourite place to go. I love school so much. Despite all the judgemental and dumb people that go there (ironic, right?), school actually is a distraction. And that is why I love it so much. It distracts me from my true life. Everyone in school treats me normally and I'm well liked here. I mean, I don't mean to brag but I'm kind of popular as well. I mean, I get along with everyone and I never really had issues with bullies. So that's why I love it. It's a distraction and people treat me kindly. It makes me remember that I am a human being, not just matter that takes up space on this crappy planet we call earth.

"Ashton Adams, can you please explain what we were just talking about together as a class?" My English teacher asked as she tapped her big leather shoe on the ground as she rested her hand on her waist.

"That's easy. We were talking about the shakespearean book we're reading." I answered in a very smart ass way because of course we were talking about the book.

"Mr. Adams, you're a smart kid but pay attention. You really have potential." Ms. Albertson sighed before going back to the lesson.

It was lunch and my best friend Ryder came up to me, laughing.

"What's so funny?" I started laughing as well because his laugh was just super contagious.

"You're a smart kid. You have potential." Ryder mimicked Albertson in a high pitch voice and laughed even harder. I'll admit it, I started laughing as well.

"Hey Adams! You going to the party on Friday? It's gon be lit." One of the guys in my clique yelled out at me. Ryder and I decided to go sit with the other boys.

"Probably not, man. I got a shit ton of work to do on Friday." I shrugged before taking a huge bite of my turkey sandwich I got from home. I barely ate cafeteria food.

"You're honestly full of crap, fucking hell." Jason, the guy who asked if I was going, chuckled and started eating his burger. I was about to say something until Jason's girlfriend, Ashley, ran up to him and they started doing the normal cringey couple relationship talk.

The boys and I just talked about random things for the rest of lunch. We talked about soccer practice which was today, we talked about the different girls they thought were hot and wanted to smash, we talked about the huge friday party that no one would shut up about, and we even talked about post secondary institutions next year.

Before I knew it, it was the end of the day and soccer practice was already over. I was lowkey mad that I had to go home that I hung out with the other players for a bit. A bit too long that is. It was 4:15 which meant that if I wasn't home in 5 minutes, Dad would get really mad.

"Fuck." I whispered underneath my breathe as I started to pack my things faster.

"You good?" One of the guys from my soccer team looked up weirdly and asked.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I'm late for a doctor's appointment. Anyways, I'll see you later." And with that, I ran off without saying anything else to anyone. I just ran. My heart was already pounding but I didn't stop until I got home.

It was 4:33 pm when i got home and I prayed and wished and hoped that my dad was passed out drunk on the couch. I quietly opened the door and walked in. I mean, half of what I wished for came true. My dad was really drunk. But not passed out. I tensed up immediately, already knowing what was about to happen.

"Where were you?" He slurred and walked up to me, not even able to walk in a straight like.

"Soccer practice." I said firmly, trying not to move a muscle.

"You know you were supposed to be home a while ago?"

"Ye-"

"Shut up!" Dad threw a glass can of beer really close to my feet. I was surprised none cut me. "I told you to be home right after school! Fuck your soccer team. Fuck it! Your mom didn't listen at all and that's why she left! You're gonna end up useless as your mom."

"Don't you DARE talk about my mother like that." I accidentally said back, holding the tears from my eyes. I barely cried but he knows damn well I get emotional while talking about my mom leaving.

"What did you fucking say?" Dad whispered before slapping me so hard across the face and started hitting me over and over again. I lost track of how many minutes this crazy insane mentally unstable man kept making harsh contact with me. I was numb to it. He's been like this since my mom left because he felt like it's been his fault ever since.

When Dad decided that he's had enough, he fell asleep real quick. I say fall asleep but really, he was so intoxicated that he couldn't help himself.

I laid in bed in an aching body, hoping and praying that tomorrow comes fast.

I got a buzz from my phone and I decided to check it.

To: Ashton
From: Ryder
You ok?

I sighed and shoved my phone back down in my pocket. Honestly, Ryder has been my one of my best friends forever and he literally always knows what's wrong without me even saying anything. Despite how long i've known him, he still never knew about my dad or the shit I had gone through ever since. I guess I was just good at keeping my personal life at home and separating that hellhole from my other life which was school.

To: Ryder
From: Ashton
Yeah mannn

I decided to finish up my biology homework and go to sleep at around 11 pm, forgetting that I haven't eaten since I came back from school.