Strong ➸ a.f.i. (slow updates)

three.

"So why did your dad decide to move to America?" I asked as I wiped the dry blood off his lip. I never realized how kissable they look.

"He said he wanted a new start after the divorce, but I don't believe him. I think there is something else he's not telling me"

"And why's that"

"Because he's been off lately. Normally he is happy and cheerful, but now it's like he's given up"

"Well, imagine how he feels losing the love of his life, or what he thought to be"

"I guess you're right"

"I'm always right" I said cheekily.

"Mhmm sure you are" he said as he winced.

"Sorry, sorry almost done. I just have to put the antiseptic on and you're good to go" he didn't respond. Maybe there's more going on, but he just doesn't want to tell me.

"So after this do you want to order pizza and keep talking in my room,"

"Yeah sounds good." okay that time he definitely sounded upset. He needs to spill.

"All done." I said as I put the last bit of antiseptic on his lip. I walked out of the bathroom and over to my cell phone I'd left on the kitchen table.

"What do you want on your half of the pizza?"

"Um, I don't know. What are you getting?"

"Bacon and pineapple"

"Oo, I've never had that before. Is it any good?"

"I think so, but you may not like it"

"Well just get that on the whole pizza and if I don't like it I'll just pick the pineapple off. I like bacon,"

"Ok," I dialed the pizza restaurants number and ordered the pizza. Once I was done I looked over at Ashton who was sitting on the couch. He looked really upset. I really have to push this out of him.

"Hey the pizza should be here in 10 minutes,"

"Ok," we waited 10 minutes and the doorbell finally rang.

"Hi, that'll be $15," I turned around to grab my wallet, but Ashton grabbed my hand.

"I got it,"

"No Ashton, I'll pay for it you're my guest,"

"Hey I insist, I don't want to spending your money one me. You worked hard for it,"

"Ugh, fine. You're a pain in my ass, and I've only known you a day,"

"I get that a lot," he smirked at me.

After he paid the pizza guy we walked up to my room and sat my my bed. I am going to make him tell me what is making him so upset. I know I've only known him a day, but I can't help feeling like I've known him forever.

"So I don't mean to push, but what's going on? You seem really down,"

"Oh its nothing." he said looking at the ground.

"Hey, you can tell me anything. I won't judge, and beside I think you need to tell me something after telling you all of that,"

"Okay, I guess you're right," he took a deep breathe. I could tell this is going to be hard for him.

"So right around the time my parents said they were getting divorce things at school had been getting pretty bad. Everyone was laughing and picking on me because of my laugh and just being different. It started getting really bad and I didn't know how to deal with it, so it let to something really bad that I'm not proud of. I've tried to stop, but it's really hard. I started cutting. My friends soon found out, and they helped me stop for a while. Things started to die down, but then when everyone at school found out that my parents were getting a divorce it got bad again. I started cutting again. Then they got divorced and my dad got custody, which is when he decided to move to America. That made things worse because everyone at school thought I was moving because I had problems. It also didn't help that I had to move away from my three best friends. It was easy the first few days, but now it's hard not seeing them everyday. My life have just magically turned upside down," he paused like he was about to say something more, but stopped, "Oh fuck, I shouldn't have told you that. You're not going to want to be my friend anymore. Shit! I just screwed up the only good thing that has happened so far in America," he looked down at his hands in his lap.

"Hey look at me" I said while tilting his head towards me. "I know exactly what you're going through. I left you something pretty important too," I took a deep breathe, "I've never told anyone this but," I paused before I rolled up my sleeve.

"Oh Spencer" he said as he took my arm in his hand and looked at my scars, "Why did you start? I mean I have an idea, but why?"

"Everyone at school started shit about me, my best friend suddenly wasn't my best friend anymore, my mom became a drunk, and a whore, and my dad died. Life's not great Ash,"

"I know Spenc, I know," we sat there in silence until he spoke again, "But hey at least now we have each other to rely on. We can help each other,"

"Good point. I'll make a deal with you, okay"

"Okay, what is it?"

"I'll stop cutting if you promise to stop, and go talk to a doctor about possibly having depression,"

"Mmmmm, deal!" he said and shook my hand. "I knew I made a good choice,"

"A good choice in what?"

"My best friend"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I watched as Ashton walked down my driveway to his car. He turned around a smiled at me.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow best friend" I giggled.

"I'll see you tomorrow" I watched as he opened the front door and got in. I don't think he knows how attractive he was. I don't even think I know how attractive he is yet, but I can't wait to find out. I had just closed the door before my mom came trolling in the kitchen.

"Heyyyyyy darling! I'm going out, and I won't be back till late don't wait up for me."

"Yeah whatever mom."

"Excuse me! What did you just say?"

"N-nothing." I stuttered.

"Come on tell me. Now!" She shouted.

"I said yeah whatever mom."

"You do not speak to me like that young lady. Do you understand?" I shook my head. "I said do you understand" she said slapping me across the face again.

"Yes. I understand mother."

"Good. I'll see you later babe" Thank god she left. I don't know how much more of that I could handle.

I wonder what has gotten into her, she never used to be abusive. I walked up the stairs to my room. I might as well sleep this off. I can already feel the laughing at school coming from the marks on my cheek. What a wonderful day there is to come.