captivated → lashton ✓

twenty-three

Luke's POV

When Monday rolled around, it seemed word had spread about Mr Bates and what he'd done which made it a little awkward for me. I'd decided it'd be best for me to go in and just get on with everything even if what he did was still fresh but I was starting to regret the decision when people kept staring at me as I walked by, some then turning and whispering to their friends.

"Ash, people are staring." I whispered as we walked together.

"I know but it's ok, I presume it's a natural reaction but don't stress. I'm here." He squeezed my hand and I smiled.

He walked me to my locker and I admit, it was weird not getting a note but also relieving because I no longer had to worry about my 'admirer' because he was gone and couldn't bother me now.

Ashton didn't leave me as I got to my locker, like he was afraid I'd get lost or something If I was by myself  and he'd been doing that all weekend. My mum let him stay over and Friday and weirdly enough, Saturday and Sunday too. This was weird for my mum because I thought she wouldn't want any boy near me for a bit due to what happened but I guess her and Ashton are on a different page where they think I need something with me all the time.  Don't get me wrong, I loved having Ashton here, I just didn't see why they were acting so weird about it.

"You can go to your locker, you know?" I said and he stood next to me, leaning against the locker.

"It's ok, I just want to be with you."

"You don't have to be there all the time, I'm not going to disappear or anything." I smiled slightly and grabbed Ashton's hand.

"I know, I'm just worried. Like, I know Mr Bates is gone but knowing that the one time you go off somewhere without me or anyone else you get pretty much molested makes me feel like I need to be around you. I'm sorry if it's annoying." Ashton looked down at our hands.

"I didn't mean it was annoying, I just don't want you to feel like you have to be around me all the time. I'm ok."

"After Friday, I'm going to be worried ok? You're my boyfriend, I love you, so of course I'll worry so just let me apologise in advance if I become too annoying, I can't help it."

"Ash, it's fine." I smiled.

He sighed before leaning down to kiss my head whilst bringing me into a hug, "I love you." He stated again and I tried not to giggle upon hearing it.

"I love you too." I said into his chest which sounded muffled.

When we pulled apart, a few people were still looking at us but this time with smiles on their faces and it was nice to see people accepted Ashton and I and even thought it was 'cute'. 

"Come on, we best get going." Ashton then tugged my hand and pulled me away from my locker.

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After form, Ashton and I went to our first lesson which typically had to be English, just to make it awkward and uncomfortable.

Walking into the classroom, all eyes turned to look at me and some people gave me looks of sympathy whereas some just looked as uncomfortable as I did like it physically made them feel gross just thinking about the events of Friday. I couldn't blame them, if it was one of them I'd find it disgusting to think about someone in that position violating the trust put in place and doing it on school grounds as well.  

"Alright, there's no need to stare." Ashton tried getting people to stop looking at me because I guess he could sense my discomfort.

A room full of people then simultaneously moved their gaze to focus on anything that wasn't me, well except one girl. "Were you scared?" She asked when me and Ashton sat down, all eyes then turned to her.

"Yes." I replied, hoping she'd leave it there because I didn't want to dwell on anything to do with Mr Bates.

"How did you get away?" The focus was then back on me.

"Ashton, Calum and Michael rescued me." I blushed slightly because I thought I sounded stupid that I couldn't do it myself, the girls in the class however seemed to think the opposite.

"Oh my god, that is so cute, your boyfriend saved you." The girl practically squealed whilst the rest of the girls started talking with their friends and I heard many agree with the girl.

Blushing, I ducked my head slightly to try and hide it but Ashton noticed and took my hand in his which caused more of the girls to squeal. Ashton just laughed at their reactions, obviously not expecting this but I laughed too because this reaction was the total opposite of what I expected and if everyone was like this then school wasn't going to be as bad as I thought.

It's currently a lot better than I imagined and I wasn't complaining because it'd make it a lot easier to put everything behind me and get on with school and life in general, I didn't want what Mr Bates did to affect me too badly so I was just trying to focus on anything but him and by girl's responses, I felt it'd be easier than thought. They were taking positives out of a bad situation and focusing on them which really helped me.

I really appreciated this from them and I appreciated the fact that Ashton was by my side, making sure I was ok because I knew I'd always have someone if things got too much. I could rely on him and I loved that about him.

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A/N: Didn't really know where I was going with this and the ending was rubbish but oh well, this is what you're getting. Pretty sure next chapter is the last because I have nowhere else to go with it and so yeah, I'm finishing it.

Whilst I have your attention, I'd like to mention I have a new story called Trapped out and I'd appreciated it if you could check it out and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading x