Wait (Lashton)

22

Ashton raced home just thinking and thinking about that picture. No one knows about her except Michael. And Ricky. Maybe it's one of them behind this. Or both of them or maybe they put someone else up to this.

"Mom, dad, someone knows about Addy. Someone taped a picture of her on a locker." Once he said her name, that grabbed their attention. "I thought we had that all closed up? I mean, that's why we paid your friends at the police station to do." His mum spoke. "We did, this shouldn't be happening. What was the picture? Did you recognize it?" His dad asked. "It was from her 16th birthday."

"That was before everything." His mum pointed out. "Yeah I know, so whoever did it knew about her before. I think it might be Michael." Ashton said. "That makes sense, he only knows about it. Why would he bring it back up again?" His dad asked. Ashton shrugged. "I'm not sure dad. But we now we have to cover this back up again."

"Ash go upstairs, we'll handle this."

Ashton was worried that his secret will finally come out. He didn't want Luke to know about his past life, he would absolutely hate him and want nothing to do with him. Now he can't even come out to his parents, they're too worked up on the whole Addison thing. He needs to put the whole Addison thing behind him. That's not who he is anymore. He's spent years trying to bury that, this can't resurface. Not now, not ever.

"Ashton!" His dad called. When he went downstairs, his parents looked angry. "Why did I get a text saying that you were gay?" He asked and Ashton felt his heart drop. He was left speechless. "You're not some fag are you? Cause you know that's a sin." His mum told him. He took a deep breath in and spoke. "It's true. I am gay."

His mum started laughing,"You can't be serious Ash, we didn't raise you this way." Ashton nodded,"I know, you guys did nothing wrong. I am who I am. I can't change that, I'm sorry."

"Ashton, I need you to get your stuff and leave. I don't want someone like you living in my house." His dad spoke. Deep down, he knew this was going to happen, but didn't think they were actually capable of kicking out their own kid. Ashton didn't argue, he just let it be and packed some clothes. He also grabbed a stack of cash he's been hiding in his room. With one look back at his parents, he left. Not saying anything. He couldn't argue with them, they're too stubborn. Nothing could change their mind and he knew that.

Ashton drove to Luke's house, not knowing how to even say what happened. He knocked on his door waiting for him to answer. But instead his dad did. "Oh hey Ashton, what brings you here?" He asked with a polite smile. "Um, something happened with my parents and I was gonna ask if I can stay the night here."

"Of course you can. Luke's in the shower right now, but just make yourself at home."

Minutes later he heard Luke come down the stairs who was drying his hair with a towel. "I didn't know you were stopping by. Is everything okay?" He asked sitting next to him on the couch. "Um, my parents found out I was gay. Someone texted them, telling them I was and they kicked me out."

"Oh my gosh, Ash, are you okay? What's gonna happen?" He asked. "Yeah I'm fine. I'm not too sure what's gonna happen now, I'll be okay though, but your dad said I could stay the night."

Luke then brought Ashton in his room who made himself comfortable on his bed. "What'd you do after I left?"

"I had lots of fun." Luke said with a smile. "Baby, homework doesn't count." Ashton laughed. "But I finished all of it and that's fun!" He exclaimed laying down next to Ashton. "You and I have very different perspectives on fun."

"But that's what you like about me." Luke smiled while flopping on top of him playfully. "Can't say that I don't." Ashton chuckled. He didn't even move Luke who was laying on top of him, instead, he just wrapped his arms around his waist. But then he got up which made Ashton groan. "I was so comfy."

"Come here. I want to show you something." He said while sticking out a hand. Ashton followed him out to the backyard, then started climbing to the roof. The view was actually really nice, you could see all the lights flickering from all over then area.

"I used to come up here to get away from everything. Especially with my mum. My dad knows about my spot, but he never told my mum cause if she knew then I would never have any privacy."

They both sat down, their legs hanging off the side of his house, while enjoying the breeze and their company. "Um, what did happen with your mum Luke?" He asked which Luke stood quiet. "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was that bad. You don't have to talk about it." Ashton said as he put a reassuring hand on his thigh. "Um, it's fine."

"So, she would always drink a lot and whenever she would, she would always be so angry and end up hurting me. My dad tried his best to stand up for me cause I was so little, but there was only so much he could do since he didn't want people to know he hit his wife. You know?"

"Um, she would always be yelling at me. For every little thing and as a kid, it took a toll on me. That's why I always got scared when you or Michael used to. Then when I was ten, she just up and left. I never really got a good explanation from my dad, all he said was that she left for another guy. Since then I've hated her, I've grown to live without her. I'm okay though, no need to be sad or pity me. Cause I have you, my dad, and Calum. That's all I need." He smiled while Ashton snaked an arm around Luke's waist as he leaned his head on his shoulder. "Damn right."

-

At school the next day, it was unusually quiet. There was no one bothering them which was weird. Calum wasn't at school, he said he wasn't feeling good, or maybe he just didn't want to face Michael. So for most of his classes Luke was alone, but Ashton was there waiting for him so they can walk together.

"Hey you ready?" Ashton spoke walking into his class. "Yeah, just one sec." He said while giving his teacher his paper. While they were talking, he saw something carved into his desk. He looked more closely and it was Addison Grover.

"Ready Ash?" Luke asked breaking him from his thoughts. "Yeah." He smiled. At lunch, it was actually peaceful. Michael, Josh, Shawn, and Ricky weren't there, which was a bit suspicious, but nonetheless they still enjoyed not being bothered. "It's so weird." Luke spoke up after being silent for a while. "Everyone minding their own business." Ashton laughed,"I know, let's just enjoy it while it lasts."

They got their food from the cafeteria and went outside to sit on the bleachers for the remainder of lunch. They were enjoying their company, but then Allie and Alyce come up to them. "So you're still in this phase Ashton?" Allie asks with an eye roll. "It's not a phase. Please leave me alone."

"You weren't saying that when we hooked up, now were you?" She states bringing up the incident at the party. "It would be a shame if your parents found out." Alyce threatened which made Ashton laugh and tilt his head back. "They already know. So if you wanna threaten me you better try harder." That statement made a snicker come from Luke. "You got something to say?" Alyce spoke smugly. "I just think it's funny how even though he's not straight, you guys just find ways to throw yourselves at him. It's very desperate of you guys." Now that statement made Ashton laugh even more. They walked away taken back at the confidence Luke suddenly grew.

"Wow, I didn't know you could do that." He complimented while giving him a high five. "I didn't either. I was stepping outside my comfort zone and standing up for myself."

"Good, I'm proud of you." Ashton smiled while gently leaning over to give him a small kiss.

The next couple of weeks went by really smoothly, it was a relief to Luke. He could finally relax and just calm down. No ones been messing with him or Ashton, they were so pleased that they didn't have problems within the weeks. Ricky, Josh, Shawn, and Michael have been at school, but they didn't even talk to them. They acted like they weren't even there which they didn't at all mind.

During football practice, people still talked to Ashton, except for Ricky and those he turned against him. Overall, he was still very much liked on the team. He was glad that people still respected him and had his back. So at least he still had some people that would have his back.