Reasons||m.c.

thirteen

thirteen//

I slid under the covers of Ashton's bed and waited patiently for him to come to bed.

When he did, he turned off the lights and cuddled up close against me.

"So, what happened?" he asked.

"I had a boyfriend before I came here. He's actually a big part of the reason we came here. His name was Kai. We dated for a little and... and then he got me to have sex with him. It was my first time. I told him a bunch of my secrets and personal things. I thought I could trust him. I thought we'd be together forever. The day after we slept together, he told everyone. He told everyone at school all the secrets I told him and he told everyone that we slept together. Then, he started making up things about our sex. I mean, we slept together one time but he was telling people all these kinky things we would do all the time and people thought I was a complete slut. I got bullied every day and I nearly committed suicide at one point. He ruined my life and it makes me not want to trust people ever again. I don't even know why I'm telling you this."

"I can swear on my life that I would never do anything to hurt you like that. Whoever this Kai is, he's not a man. He's not a good person, either. He hurt you and I swear if I for some reason ever meet him I won't even hesitate to shove him down a flight of stairs into the ocean."

"Violent," I giggled.

He smiled as I rested my head on his chest.

"You should tell Michael," he said. "I've known him for a while. He really loves you, Jade. I know you have trust issues but I can promise you that Michael would never do anything at all to hurt you. Ever."

I nodded, "I know. It's just hard to move on."

"Michael will wait for you when you're ready," Ashton said. "He told me so."

I smiled, "Goodnight, Ashton."

"Goodnight, Jade."

---

I asked Ashton to tell Michael what I told him. I wanted Michael to at least know the story so he knew I wasn't trying to blow him off - like I didn't like him or want to be with him. He deserved to know and I wanted him to know - I just didn't want to tell him myself. I don't think I could.

"He knows now," Ashton told me through the phone.

"What did he say?" I asked nervously, placing a stray sock in my sock drawer as I put away my clothes.

"He's really understanding of it all. He wants you to know that he doesn't want to pressure you into anything and he'll wait until you're ready. He really likes you, Jade."

"I really like him, too," I said. "Thank you for telling him, though."

"Anytime. I have to go now. Band practice. But if you need anything just call."

"Bye, Ash."

"Bye, Jade. I'll talk to you later."

I hung up and threw my phone on my bed. As soon as I did, it rang again.

Luke.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jade," he greeted happily.

"Hey, Luke. What's up?"

"Well, I usually go with Calum but, you know, he's in a hospital and all... So I was wondering if you wanted to go for a jog with me?"

"Yeah, sure. What time?"

"I'll be over in 20 minutes?"

"Sounds great."