forever// 5SOS

35

Ashton

"How are you feeling this morning?" I asked Ava, looking up as she walked into the bedroom.

"Okay,"

"Well I think you should feel proud, and that a weight has been lifted off your shoulder,"

"I thought you'd send me back,"

"I know how scary this would've been, because you didn't know there was a whole community huh?"

"I thought I was the only one, or-or that I would be hurt for it,"

I hugged her close to my chest, taking a deep breath. Hearing you child say that hurt, and made me wish I'd supported her better. From her background, something like this would be petrifying.

The amount of hurt she must've thought about being replicated, and the amount of torture she would've been expecting- I couldn't have done it.

For about a split second I was upset that she thought I'd hurt her, but that was selfish. Things she'd seen from the previous house,thins she'd been been through, and had heard, had taught her their rules. To her, that was how to live, and for her to discover she was maybe not conforming to the lifestyle anymore would've freaked her out.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt for her. Especially because she still managed to tell me, even with the thoughts of me abandoning her or abusing her. That took some guts.

"I think that today, we go out for a nice meal, and just relax,"

"I am watching a drama lesson tomorrow,"

And just like that, she changed the subject. It was going to be hard for her.

"That's exciting, I think you'll love it,"

"I'm a bit scared to do it infront of people,"

"I'm sure your teacher will understand, but so will your class. They're all doing it infront of everyone, and drama is just about having fun,"

"I know, my tummy just feels funny,"

"Well, I've got a surprise for you, and if you can come home tomorrow with one good thing about the drama, even if you don't want to do it, I will tell you early,"

"Is it a good surprise?"

"I think you'll like it,"

She looked up at me, relaxing into me as I kissed her head.

"Is it ice cream?"

"No,"

"I see Harry?"

"You can see him any day,"

She sighed and sat up, sniffing since she was still a bit sick. I scratched her back, chuckling as she rubbed her eyes tiredly; it was adorable.

"What do you want for breakfast ay?"

"Eggs on toast,"

"Let's make it then,"

We went to the kitchen and she put the bread in the toaster, mixing cheese with the egg for me to put in the pan. I'd quickly realised it was something she loved, and it got more into her so I allowed it.

"Dad, I don't want to go to school tomorrow,"

"You've done it for a week, you know what to expect now,"

"But I'm struggling with maths and English,"

"I can help you, I'll get some extra work to practice at home,"