1969 | a.u. a.i

16

Grace's P.O.V

All day during school I was so anxious. As I figured Tom wasn't at school. The final bell rings and I'm already out the classroom. I walk through the wooden double doors and saw Ashton waiting for me across the street. I looked both ways and jogged over to him, "You ready?" I walk to the passenger door.

He nods, "Yes." We get into his car and we make our way to Tom's home. During the ride Ashton tried to touch me. But I wouldn't let him. He first put his hand on my knee, then to try to hold my hand, then try to get me to scoot closer to him. All I could do was swat him away. I looked over at him and he has hurt written all over his face. I felt bad but he hurt a child. It wasn't okay.

We arrive at Tom's house. We didn't move. We're just sitting in front of his home. I reach out and grabbed his hand, "You can do this. I know it's hard to admit it was a wrong doing but you have to do this." He nods. He sighs and finally looks at me, "I know. Let's go." He opens his door and gets out. He walks over and opens my door. I smile up at him, "Thank you." He smiles and closes the door.

We walk up to Tom's house. Ashton knocks on the door and we wait for a response. I hear footsteps inside the house. I hear the door being unlock and the door revealing a bruised face Tom. I gasp. His lip is busted with a thick scab on his lip, two black eyes from his nose being broken. Ashton really did hurt him.

Once Tom realize it was us he gives Ashton a hard glare, "What do you want?" Ashton takes in a deep breath and let's it out, "I came here to apologize for doing that to your face." I elbow him in his rib. He clears his throat, "I was way out of line. I shouldn't have hit you. I'm sorry." I look over at Tom and then he looks at me. He sighs and shakes his head, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did to her. I get where you were coming from. I shouldn't have threatened her. I'm in the wrong here."

Tom then looks at Ashton, "And I apologize for calling you a n*gger lover. That was way out of line." Tom sighs. I grab Ashton's hand and then Tom looks at my gesture. Disgusted was not written on his face but happiness was. Then he looks at me, "Look Grace, what I did to you at the party wasn't me. I wouldn't have done that to anybody. I don't know what came over me." He starts to choke.

I drop Ashton's hand and gave Tom a hug. I feel him rest his hands on my lower back. I pull away and looked at him, "It's okay. You have a good hook there." I smile pointing at his hand. He looks down and brings his hands behind him. "Yeah. Sorry for hitting you." He brings his hand to his neck avoiding eye contact from the both of us. I step away from him and I'm back to standing beside Ashton.

"You guys need to go before my old man comes back fussing because he has strangers on his property." Tom warns us. I nod and grabbed Ashton by his hand. "Okay, see you tomorrow?" I ask. He nods and closes the door behind him. We walk hand in hand to Ashton's car. "That went nice." He says, opening the passenger door. I smile up at him and went to my top toes. I place a soft kiss on his cheek, "I'm so proud of you. You did a good thing."

I place my hand on his cheek and rubbed my thumb against his smooth skin. He places his hand on top of mine. He takes it and gives it a soft kiss. "Thank you. But I think he's changing. Because I didn't see no hatred in his eyes." Ashton's says, rubbing my hand. I nod in agreement, "Me too. Come on let's go before his father pulls up." He nods and steps away from me.We get into the car and drove off. We make it to my house.

I look over at Ashton, "You coming inside?" I unbuckle my seat belt. "As much as I want to but I have to get home and get everything cleaned up. My uncle and aunt are coming down for the weekend." He runs his fingers through golden locks. I nod, "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow?" He smiles, "Definitely."

He leans in and gives my lips a sweet peck. "Alright. Be safe." I say opening the door and getting out. I close it and bend over to see him, "Always." He winks at me. I roll my eyes playfully, "Bye Ashton." I open my gate and walked to my porch. "Bye beautiful." He calls to me. I turn and wave at him. He gives me his cheeky smile and drives away.