It's Ashton Not Ashley

13.

It's been a month since Luke has told everyone about myself. Ever since he has, people have been shaming me nonstop, calling me a fag. Some people came to my house when my dad was at work and beat me. I was wearing makeup at home and at school so I could hide the bruises that were left on my face.

"Ashley-" my dad started and stood at the door as I was applying my makeup.
I looked up at him slowly. "Ashton," he said quietly, correcting himself.

"You don't need to call me Ashton anymore. I know you don't like it," I said as I pushed him out of my room and shut my door.

I sighed and looked at the white dress that was hanging in my closet. The dress I wore for my grandmother's last birthday party which was three and a half years ago.

I slipped into the dress and stared at myself in the mirror. I was surprised to see that it still fit me, minus the fact that it hugged my waist a bit tightly.

I slipped into some black converse and dug in the back of my closet for my curling iron as I curled the short hair I had.

I put the iron down and looked into the mirror, tears forming in my eyes. I looked hideous. But I had to conquer. This was the new me.

----

I walked into school with my head down.
"Hey pretty thing," I looked up and saw Calum coming this way.
"Why did you change into this?" He frowned and looked me up and down.

"This is me, right? I'm Ashley Irwin," I smiled weakly at him. "The beautiful girl who wears dresses with converse. The strong beautiful girl," I caught my breath. I glanced at Luke who was laughing with this girl. She was tall and skinny and her blond hair hung below her waist. Her blond hair had a lighter purple tint to it from her hair dye. She had a powder white complexion and her lips were a dark, cherry red. Her black cropped top showed off her stomach and her mini skirt showed off her fishnet tights.

"Ashton?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Calum. "What?"

He shook his head and grabbed onto my arm. "Who's that girl with Luke?" I asked glancing towards the two again.

"Why don't you go ask yourself? I'll go with, come on." He urged me forward and I took a deep breath as I approached Luke.

"Hi, Luke," I started. I admit I looked a bit like a fool.
"Uh, hey, Ashton," his eyes looked at my outfit and I felt stupid then.

"Ashley," I corrected him.

He nodded. "So how are you?"

I shrugged and kept looking at the girl noticing her every feature. Her blue eyes had a tint to them and her lip ring fumbled around when she bit her lip. "Who's this?" I asked.

Luke looked at her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "This is Tara. M-My cousin," Luke said slowly with a small amount of hesitation hidden deep into his voice.

"How come I always see her when I go to your house?" I couldn't help it. I blurted the words right out. Now Luke knows I go to his house often. But really, I just stand there trying to work up the courage to knock and explain that I'm sorry for ruining his life.

"So you're a stalker now?" Luke asked, taking his arm off Tara defensively.
"N-No. I came by to talk to you, but I always see Tara there and I figured you wouldn't have wanted me there anyways."

"Is that your girlfriend Lukey? She seems cute and fun to hang out with! May I have her number?" Tara looked up at Luke and he nodded out of shock.

"What?" I asked, standing there with confusion on my face.

"You're cute. We should hang out sometime!" She squealed out of excitement, a small smile forming on her pale face.