It's Ashton Not Ashley

4.

Luke walked me home that night from the park. "I had fun with you tonight," Luke said and smiled at me. "I did too. Thanks for tonight, I needed to get out of the house," I replied, fumbling with my sleeves.

Now that Luke knew about my secret, I was really insecure about my wrists.

"No problem, Ashton...well, we're here," Luke said and frowned. "Will I see you again?"

I nodded, chuckling. "Stop being so dramatic, you'll see me tomorrow at school," I said and started walking inside. "Aw, Ashton," he whined and pouted. "I'll see you tomorrow." I walked inside, hearing him whine some more as he turned around and walked home.

----

I smiled to myself as I stripped down to my boxers and ace bandage and plugged in my speaker. I clicked my Green Day playlist and danced around, singing along to it. American Idiot played and I got down and played air guitar. "Ashton?"

"Ashton?" The person said my name louder.

"Ashton!" I looked at my doorway and screeched; I immediately paused my music. "Uh, hi," I blushed, "what're you doing here?"

Luke looked at me and ran his fingers through his hair. "I forget that you had my jacket...if it's giving you trouble, I can get it tomorrow after school." I shook my head and handed him his jacket. "H-Here."

"Thanks, why do you have an ace bandage around your chest?" He asked, looking at it.

I grabbed a hoodie and quickly put it on. "N-No reason," I said. I could already feel the tears forming in my eyes. "Ashton, you can tell me anything dude, come on," Luke pleaded and I looked at him and shrugged.

Luke looked at me with a sad smile on his face. "Okay, I'll see you later Ashton, yeah?"
I nodded and watched as Luke left. I don't understand why he was so upset over me not telling him why I had the ace bandage around my chest.

I sighed and laid down in my bed, falling asleep to my thoughts that swam around in my head.

----

I woke up the next day with a pain shooting through my back. "Ah, shit," I mumbled as I got dressed for school. I didn't know where the pain was coming from, but I soon realized it was because I fell asleep in my ace bandage last night.

I adjusted it to a fitting size and went downstairs, now fully dressed and ready for school.
Dad was at work, so I didn't need to worry about him hitting me.

I ate a small breakfast that consisted of frosted flakes and drank a small glass of milk. I finished eating and then left for school, hoping to avoid Luke all day. He shouldn't have asked about the ace bandage because to me, it meant that it was noticeable and I was still a fucking girl.

----

I got to my locker, Luke wasn't seen which was good.

I opened my locker to grab my books. I grabbed my books and as I shut my locker door, a small, decorative note fell out.
I picked it up and read it.

It read:
I'm sorry for walking in on you earlier, I should've knocked. Anyways, I need to talk to you after school. Meet me by the locker.

-Luke

I sighed and put the note back in my locker. So much for avoiding Luke today. I went through the whole day of my classes perfectly fine until biochemistry, the class Luke is in with me, the class that started it all.

He looked at me and I quickly looked away. I didn't need to deal with him right now, I was already far behind in this class.

I put in my earbuds and played Mayday Parade as I took the notes written down on the board. I knew Luke was looking at me, but I honestly didn't care.

I may seem overdramatic, but it actually hurt me like a knife stab in the heart.

----

As class dismissed, Mr. Gastro called me up. "Ash, come here."
"I'd like to, but I need to catch my friend," I said as I watched Luke leave the room.

"Ashley, come here, now." Mr. Gastro didn't look happy and considering that he called me by my dead name.

"Yes, sir," I went up to him.

"Ashley, the school year is almost done and you're failing this class. You were doing so great all year, what happened?" I looked at Mr. Gastro and he looked really disappointed in me. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Gastro. I don't know what happened. Is there a way I can make it up?"

Mr. Gastro sighed. "Unfortunately not, Ashley. But because you are my best student, I'll give you an A if you can tutor Luke and he can pass the upcoming test."

I nodded. "Is that the only thing I can do? Luke and I are kind of in a fight right now," I said, mumbling down at my feet. "I'm sorry Ashley, that's the only thing I can give you to do. You either do it or you don't get the credit you deserve."

"Alright," I sighed. "I'll do it, but if he fails this test, I'll be damned."

"I guess you would be."

I nodded slowly. "Bye, Mr. Gastro," I said and I left the room.

----

The rest of the day went by in a blur, and I was thankful for that, but I was dreading having to talk to Luke and as I approached my locker, I felt vomit build up in the back of my throat.

"Hi, Luke," I said and I looked at him.

"Hey, Ashton."

"So, what's up? You wanted me here after school."

"Yeah. I know why you have the ace bandage," Luke said and stared at me. "I want you to tell me though."

I looked down. "It makes me look more muscular," I quickly said. I had to give myself credit for coming up with that on the spot like that.

"I thought so," Luke nodded. "Don't be so insecure, you're fine the way you are."

I nodded. "What's up? You needed to tell me something?"

"Oh right," I nodded quickly. "I have to tutor you. Mr. Gastro said I'll get the A I deserve if you pass this next test."

Luke frowned, resting his eyebrows. "So you're basically using me?"

"What, no. We both benefit. I get the A I deserve and you pass this class hopefully with a high C."

"Sounds fair enough," Luke said and I nodded. "When are you free to be tutored?" I asked.

"I'm free whenever you are."

"Great, I'll see you tomorrow after school then," I said as I walked off with a smile on my face.

Hey, it's Alex. I'm sorry that it took me a while to complete this chapter. I had a lot going on and never had the chance to update. But for taking this long to write, it shouldn't be this short. I hate my damn life.
I'm sorry once again.

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Word count: 1,207