the pale and the dimpled ;; mashton

twelve // joseph

Monday was the second day Michael hated.

He hated it even more that week.

Walking into school, Michael could feel the numerous eyes on him, Luke, Calum and Ashton, who had ridden together. He heard people whispering behind their hands to their friends and it infuriated them; who were they to talk about something so private with a victim passing by?

Ashton felt Michael tense and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, forget about them," Ash whispered so only Michael would hear. He nodded, relaxing slightly under Ashton's hand.

They made it to a hallway where each of them split: Michael went right to English, Luke and Ashton went straight for Physics and Social Studies, and Calum went right to Ethics & Religious Cultures.

Why they had an ERC class none of them knew. It really was just an excuse to listen to music and doodle.

//an everyone pls still pay attention in erc i don't want to get attacked by your parents for low grades m'kay.//

Ashton and Luke talked on the way to their classes, since they still didn't know each other very well. They had formed a type bond over the few days Michael wasn't at school, and all (including Calum) sat together each day at lunch.

"I feel so bad for Michael," Luke said. "He has to deal with all these whispers and stares today."

"I know," Ashton said quietly. He had been thinking about what Michael said yesterday, about seeing Joseph - the name of the killer who had attacked Michael's mum was announced on the news - everywhere he went. What if... What if something like yesterday happened again?

What if Ashton wasn't there to help?

"This is me, later Ash," Luke said as they reached his room. Ash waved and said farewell before going a few doors down to his own classroom, Michael the only thing he could think about.

//

"What's happening?"

"I don't know, they say he was in the middle of math and he lost it-"

"The poor kid, after all that's going on at home-"

"Why though?"

"I dunno, but he looks ready to attack Mr. Chapman."

"Michael!"

Ashton, Calum and Luke pushed through the crowd, trying to find their friend. They reached the math classroom and did not like what they saw.

Michael and the math teacher, Mr. Chapman, stood at opposite ends of the room. Michael had tears in his eyes and a textbook in his hand, red in the face as he glared at the teacher. Mr. Chapman was terrified, hands up in defence.

"Michael, please, calm down," He said, trying to advance slowly towards the scared student. "It's me, Mr. Chapman. I'm not Joseph."

"You are!" Michael screamed, his voice cracking. "Stay away from me! Stay away from my mum! STAY AWAY!"

Michael felt dizzy; everything was weird. He could hear shouts and cries but his mind remained focused on the man who had put his mother in the hospital. He wanted him to feel the pain his mum felt, hurt the way he hurt. He wanted Joseph to rot in hell.

Ashton and Calum collapsed in Luke's arms, hardly able to watch. This was what had scared Ashton of happening all day, it was the one thing he didn't want to happen.

But Ashton knew certainly only he would be able to calm Michael down. He didn't know how he knew or how he would accomplish so, but he had to try.

Ashton stood up straight and walked carefully into the classroom. Luke and Calum shouted at him to come back but he didn't listen.

He approached Michael cautiously. His piercing green eyes glanced at him but his pale hands remained clasped against the book. "Go away Ashton, I don't want him to hurt you too." Michael said.

"Michael, look at me," Ashton said, inching closer towards him. "That isn't Joseph."

"Yes it is!"

"Michael," He pressed. "Remember what happened yesterday? In your room?"

Michael's mind was clouded; he tried to remember what happened yesterday, at his house, in his room, with Ashton.

"What happened?" He whispered.

"We went to get you a change of clothes," Ashton was still four feet away. It was too far. "I went to the bathroom and you were alone. You saw him again, Joseph."

"And now he's right in front of me!" Michael yelled, shaking the book as a gesture towards Mr. C.

"No, he's not," Ashton put more force behind his words. Three feet. "This is our math teacher, Mr. Chapman. He's a good guy. You love him. Remember?"

Michael finally began to tear up. His brain was slowly unfogging and Joseph faded away; Ashton stood in front of him, the textbook on the table and his hands in Ashton's. "Michael?"

"Get me away from here." Michael said quietly and Ashton did not hesitate to pick him up and leave the school.

// an

This was so hard to write omg

But I put that gif of Michael

Which is bad

Bc it's cute and this chap ain't

Ugh

ily.//