The Therapist's Son // Ashton Irwin [AU] ✔

13.

A/N: Just last chapter I was writing a thank you for 3,000. Now I'm at 4,000 and wow. I can't seem to update fast enough, I'm sorry!

When I go back to school in a week or two, updates are gonna be kinda slow, so sorry ahead of time for that. Tori and I are still updating like crazy on AIA - Feel free to check that out if you haven't just yet. I'm probably going to put 3:15 on hold for awhile, I haven't decided just yet.

I'll stop boring you now. Bye!

*****

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday passed fairly quickly. It was strange to think that it was only twelve days ago that I had been on a plane from America, getting ready to abandon everything I had ever known and 'start fresh'.

I hadn't really made any so called 'enemies' at the school just yet, but at the same time, Luke was my closest friend - Even if I had only known the boy for three days. It was nice to have the same classes, same assignments and so on.

I had started a habit of spending lunches hidden away in the library with Luke by my side, trying to work together to translate Shakespeare's great work into modern English.

"Do you want to come over to my house after school to finish?" Luke asked, standing up, pushing in the chair and tossing his backpack over his shoulder as the bell for next class sounded.

"I have somewhere to be." I muttered, putting my binder back into my bookbag.

"You said that on Monday too, but we still saw The Fault In Our Stars," Luke informed me, waiting for me to follow him towards the library's exit. We had history next, not one of my favorite classes, but not the worst either. "If it's the same thing, it obviously isn't that important."

I hadn't told Luke that I'm supposed to see a therapist twice a week, and I did my best to keep my scars covered in school, although it was kind of difficult considering it was the beginning of October in Australia. Sweaters were getting too hot, but bracelets could slide and uncover the faded marks.

"No, if I don't go this time, my mom's going to kick my ass," I laughed. "So I have to go, unfortunately."

"Well, whatever it is you're going to, maybe I could tag along. It would make it a lot less boring with a friend, right?" He suggested, and I gave a small smile, but shook my head anyways.

"I don't think so, Luke. But thanks."

"I feel like there's more to the story than you're telling me, Natalie. Why can't I go?" He frowned, opening the door to the library, letting me walk into the crowded hallway first. Passing after lunch was ten minutes, but people liked to get to their classes quickly, I had learned.

"Its just something you shouldn't have to worry about." I shrugged, squeezing between my peers, all of us struggling to get to their next class.

"You're my friend, though," Luke said, still right behind me. "Of course I'm going to worry about you."

I looked back over my shoulder to respond.

"But you really don't have-" I let out a cry of surprise when I suddenly found myself on the ground. "Fuck."

"Would you watch where you're going?" Luke snapped at the person, trying to help me off the ground. I brushed off my jeans, glaring at the boy who stood in front of me.

"Sorry," He apologized. "Everyone's in a rush for next period, you know?"

"We all know you don't give two fucks about next period-"

"Oh, shut it, Hemmings, I wasn't talking to you," He snapped in response, before turning to me and smiling. "I was talking to Natalie."

I had no idea how he knew my name, I had never seen him before in my life. Perhaps he was in one of my classes and I hadn't noticed?

Then again, I was pretty sure I would have noticed someone with such brightly colored hair...

"What's wrong, Nat? You look kind of shaken up." He observed.

"I have to get to my next class." I stated, pushing past him, Luke muttering under his breath before following me. Our history class was on the second floor, so I headed towards the stairs.

"Alright. See you later!" He called after me, causing me to shake my head.

"How do you know Michael?" Luke asked, walking next to me.

"Is that who that was?" I asked. At least I have a name now.

"Yeah. How do you know him?" Luke repeated.

"I don't."

"Well, then, how does he know you?"

"I have no clue!" I exclaimed. "He isn't in any of my classes, I've never talked to him, I haven't even seen him before, alright?"

"He seemed to like you." He mumbled, but I still heard.

"He seemed to dislike you." I responded, opening the classroom door. Luke and I sat next to each other near the back, so I quickly walked to the back of the room and sat down, fiddling with my sleeves as I waited for the teacher to do her thing. Although, we still had approximately three or four minutes left.

"We've never gotten along," Luke shrugged. "He fits in with the troublesome crowd. I don't really want any part of it, to be completely honest."

"That's understandable." I nodded. He didn't say anything else, just faced the front of the room.

Still, I couldn't help but wonder about this Michael character.

And how the fuck did he know me?

*****

"I know you think its merely my job to help you, Natalie, but you're not doing yourself any good by keeping your thoughts and feelings bottled up." The therapist explained to me after twenty minutes of my stubborn silence.

I hadn't seen - Or even heard - Ashton, so I figured he was out somewhere. He knew that my appointment was today, though. I had told him that.

However, butterflies erupted in my stomach when I heard a door near the back of the house slam, and I couldn't hide the small smile that formed on my face.

"Is that Natalie?" The familiar voice asked.

"Ashton, can you go to your room, we're not finished-" But I was already up, heading towards the front door, Ashton close behind.

My mom was out on the porch, and she smiled when she saw me come out, but looked slightly confused as to why I had "finished" so early.

"Done already?" She asked, standing up, but I only walked past her, Ashton by my side.

"Yep!"

"How was it?"

"Great," I lied. I hadn't said a damn word to the woman inside. "I'm heading out with Ash. I'll be back at the house later tonight."

"Oh, alright. Be safe!" My mom called after us as we walked briskly down the sidewalk. I waited until we were out of earshot before speaking.

"Ashton, you're a lifesaver."

*****

A/N: Long-ish chapter. Yayy!

So, we've all met Michael now! What kind of character do you think he's going to play in this story? Think Natalie might warm up to him?

Leave comments, vote, follow maybe? ily all!

Callie xx