I woke up in my bed and the second I opened my eyes, I knew something wasn't right. I tried bringing my right arm up to my face to rub my eyes (something I did every morning), but pain shot through it and I moaned from the sudden shock. So I used my left hand to rub both eyes and when I rubbed the left one, my fingers brushed against rough skin.
I stood up from the bed, holding my right arm close to my chest, and walked into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I found that my skin was dark purple beside my left eye and there were scratches on top of that.
I gripped the toothpaste that I had grabbed when I came in the bathroom so tight that it squirted all over the counter. Standing in front of the mirror, looking at my bruised face and realizing how much I hated the Rule Breakers, I made my final decision.
"I want to go to London," I said out loud as I sat down in my chair at the table.
"What's today's date?" Harry asks, aiming his finger at me.
"May 17th, 2014.." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"And your full name is?"
"Ashley May Styles," I sighed. "I know my name now, Harry. We found this out last night."
"I know," he laughs then pokes my nose. "It's just really funny that you forgot your own name."
"It isn't funny, Harry. It could have been way worse. She could have fallen into a coma or possibly died. You're lucky she's even next to you right now," dad scolds, giving him one of those don't-be-an-asshole looks.
"Yeah, Harry," I smirk.
"Ashley, you don't have to be rude either," mum adds and I shrank down in my seat.
"No regrets," I whispered and punched Harry's leg. I then ran up to my room, laughing at myself.
Just as I anticipated, he came storming up the stairs after me, "You did NOT, just punch me!"
"I'm afraid I did," I shrugged, still laughing.
"Okay, so you're coming with me?" He asks, completely forgetting that I had just penetrated his thigh with my balled fist.
"Absolutely," I nod with a smile and pull my suitcase out from under my bed.
"Yes!" Harry cheered, throwing his hands in the air. Then they were wrapped around me, suffocating me like a human sandwich.
"Hey Ashley, I have your clothes from the shopping centre yesterday. Gemma found your bags outside of the bathrooms," our mother walked into my room and set 4 bags on my bed, ruining Harry and I's bonding moment. "Were you two hugging?"
"Yes, because I'm happy that she's coming with me!" Harry cheers again, throwing his hands up in the air for the second time.
"Ashley, are you really sure? Have you put a lot of thought into it?" she frowned and I could tell she didn't want me going.
"Oh yeah, I'm going. I can't stand it here anymore. I need a break, a change. I'm tired of being beaten and hated by everyone at school and I'm hoping Harry's band mates will be different. And London for that matter."
"A change?" she furrowed her eyebrows, trying to make sense of what I was saying.
"Yes, mum. I need a change. I'm always stuck inside this house and I've always been too shy or anxious to do anything. It's time for me to grow up, you know? I'm gonna be 19 soon, the way I'm living is ridiculous. I mean, I shouldn't have to go throught this," I say, pointing at my left eye.
"You're all grown up. All of my kids are leaving me," she smiled sadly and pulled me into a hug, sobbing quietly on my shoulder.
"I'm not gone forever, mum. Just for the summer," I promised and pulled away from the hug to look in her wet eyes.
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Ditto || l.p
Fanfiction"I've been searching for something like you my entire life."
