The Rebellious Type

Three

^continuation from last chapter^

~Alice~

Ashton smiles as I nod. "Yeah. I want to be my own person," I agree. He grins. "So, let's start breaking some rules of your mothers." I shyly look at my hands. "I'm already doing that. I'm in your hou- flat. And you're touching me." "Why aren't you allowed in my flat?" He muses. "I might get raped or killed, apparently." "It's not rape if you agree." *If a boy tries to use dirty words to seduce you, slap him. He's just looking to get you in his bed.* I giggle. "Surely not." He looks surprised at my own choice of words. "Breaking a rule?" *And definitely don't use dirty words back, Mary. You'll be like any other whore.* "I'm okay with it. Maybe over the counter," I tease back. I may be blushing, but Ashton's still caught off guard. He quickly recovers and winks. "Maybe one day, princess."

~~~

"I can't believe I skipped school again," I said truthfully as we munched on take-out Chinese. We both ordered sweet and sour chicken, white rice, and a container of egg drop soup.

He'd made us green tea to go with it and raised an eyebrow as I put ice in mine. "That's the only way I'll drink any type of herbal tea," I had informed him. He merely smiled and nodded.

"That's a rule?" *Never skip your classes, Mary. Especially with a boy.* "Two in one," I reply with a grin. "She seems nice, my mum, but she's actually hell." "I hope I don't have to meet her. Why doesn't your dad stop her?" "He had a coma a few years back." *Don't speak of your father's condition.* "What's that have to do with it?" "He doesn't like to interfere because he's afraid Mum will snap at him. His coma came from his stress level, which had come from yelling and arguing with Mum. But they're very much in love." "So it's your three?" "My uncle lives with us as support. We're not poor in the least, thanks to him." *Don't praise your uncle, he'll get a big head.*

"Well, I hope I can help you break all these rules." "Not all," I say tensely. "Why not?" I blush. "Alice?" "Uh..." "Tell me." I sip on my soup before replying. "Well, there's things like... I can't loose my virginity before marriage or get my first kiss before I graduate high school- which is two weeks from now anyways. Boys aren't allowed to touch me... Privately, you know. Or see me bare. Or even sleep in the same bed as me- not even just sleep." Ashton watched my reddening cheeks with curiosity. "You don't want to break those rules?" "I don't mine honestly." "You don't think some cheesy shït, like your first time should be special?" "Well... No." "Can I ask why not?" "Because..." I sigh. "Because I'm about one hundred percent I won't marry until I'm very much older. I don't want to settle down quick, I want to explore. Besides, my dream is to travel and I can't possibly hold a stable relationship traveling... Although, by the looks of it, I'll be attending university soon."

Ashton's face looked thoughtful. He nodded as if he understood me... And maybe he did.

"So you don't want university?" "Not really. I feel like I could succeed, being a lawyer like my father wants, but but I just want to be my own person." Ashton slowly takes my hand in his. "I understand. You should do what you'd like, Alice. Take control. As far as I know, you're brilliant and kind and talented and just plain beautiful. You'll be able to succeed in whatever you'd like. Not what your parents what." I smile and squeeze his hand. "Thanks, Ashton."

~~~

My mother's eyes are on my outfit. "Ready for bible school, Alice?" Just like every Friday... I smooth down my dress. "Yes, Mum." "Remember to stop next door and tell John you're ready." I nod and slowly go to the door. "Yes, Mum." "Be polite. He's a kind lad." Must be if she's praising him... "Yes, Mum." That's all I really ever say to her. I go next door and knock. Zara answers. "Hello, dear. Would you like me to get John?" "Please." She smiles and fetches her son. I'll admit, he looks dashing.

"Thanks for letting me attend church with you. I was horrified that I'd have to go alone. Not that it matters, church is to worship The Lord, not each other. I blush because lately I'd been sinning- well, in my mother's eyes they would be considered sins.

I drove us to the community church and immediately got out. John followed. "So, how old are you?" I ask. "Twenty." I wait for him to ask my age, but I'd bet Ashton's shiny new drum set I've just recently picked out that he wasn't going to. He wasn't Ashton- John was too polite. "I'm eighteen," I offer with a smile. He nods and we enter the church. I stop by the snack table in the lobby and fill my cup with coffee. I grab a cookie and wait for John to take his share. When he finished, I led him to the study room for ages seventeen to twenty.

Charles, the teacher, was waiting. We were a bit tardy. "Hello, Charles. This is John," I introduce. Charles smiles. "Hello. Welcome to our bible study class." I place my cup and napkin onto the table in my normal seat. John takes the only other available seat across the table from me. A girl nudges me. "He's very attractive. I look over to John and eyes his cropped, blonde hair. His normally toned figure. His bright blue eyes. His tan, Australian skin. He was fairly attractive. But he had nothing on Ashton Irwin.

•Short chapter.•