High Hopes || Mashton AU

Chapter 10

Swallowing away the thick lump in his throat, Ashton snapped the picture and send it. He felt the heavy weight in his chest as he tugged on his black shirt from the night before and picked up the remainders of his costume. He took one last look at the peaceful, sleeping form of the shy boy he had gained strong feelings for, before leaving the room.

The house was still quiet and dark, considering it was well before six in the morning. Ashton had woken up to a vibrating phone, glaring at the texts Nathan had sent him. They were asking for proof and knowing he couldn't afford to lose the bet, Ashton provided proof. He snapped the picture and planned on ruining a random condom –if needed- he would undoubtedly find somewhere in his room, and then hope that would do the trick.

Nathan didn't sent more texts though, seeming to take enough with the picture for then, leaving Ashton to glance at the note he had written for the boy and then getting ready to leave. But now he was out in the cold air, it nipping at his bare arms, he felt the guilt. He felt the heavy weight of everything and he wanted to turn back and continue cuddling with the adorable boy. But he had to get ready for school. He had to be there for Michael. One could never predict what Nathan would do with the 'evidence' anyway.

It was a quiet and gloomy morning for the jock, his hair staying un-styled and eyes most likely looking dull and undoubtedly more brown. He should be happy that he had finally found something so indescribably good as the feelings he felt for Michael, but the guilt outweighed them. Even the logical part of his brain pitched in, because two hundred dollars was not even close to worth this. Nothing was worth betraying Michael like this.

The car ride to school was even quieter than Ashton could have ever imagined and his eyes couldn't help but be drawn back to the fake rose lying on his dashboard. It seemed that Michael had forgotten it, but that was okay. He could use it to offer peace. Mostly to himself, because this guilt, God. It was going to eat him alive.

The parking lot was a little fuller than normally, considering the slowly darkening sky and small raindrops that already fell on occasion. Ashton could have walked too, he realised only then, but the thought of –hopefully- being able to take Michael with him somewhere, made him nod softly. He had a reason now.

Hoisting his bag further onto his shoulder, Ashton started the small walk to the entrance of the school, rubbing at his tired eyes. He was in no mood for school that day. It was possibly to blame on the little sleep he had had that night, but he knew it was mostly from that heavy feeling. Which only seemed to get heavier with each step he took inside those familiar hallways.

Classes passed slowly and the day seemed to trudge on, Ashton's tired eyes always searching for a familiar face in the crowd. But for some reason, he hadn't been able to find Michael yet. To see the face he wanted to see that morning and the body he wanted to pull close to his. To feel that warmth and see that smile. It scared him a little, how much he wanted that, but he figured it was just love. He had fallen for someone.

The day only seemed to get darker and Ashton felt his heartbeat speed up as he saw a small crowd at Michael's locker. His mind immediately went to bad things that could have happened, like Michael having had an accident. But as he pushed himself through the crowd, which he noticed was mainly jocks and cheerleaders, he quickly found the small form of a dark haired boy, who looked even smaller with all the attention on him.

Before Ashton even had the chance to question what was going on, Michael spoke. He spoke with this incredible sadness to his tone and Ashton felt like Michael could break any moment. As if he was made of glass and would shatter into a million pieces when the wrong words were spoken. "You?"

The situation still didn't make sense and the jock could feel himself grow even more confused. He took Michael in quickly, trying to make out what was happening and why he seemed so sad. Why he seemed so incredibly hurt and broken. But all Ashton could manage was a dumb 'what?', which only seemed to anger the small boy.