Weightless - Luke Hemmings

Chapter 9.

I cried out as I was pushed against the wall. Looking up, I saw Ashton smirking.

"Get off me!" I said angrily and he laughed.

"I know what you did." he whispered in my ear.

"Get off. I don't care." I stated and he chuckled, his body vibrating against mine.

"So Rose, does the name Aaron Carter ring a bell?" he asked and I gasped. My Dad.

"What are you talking about?" I whispered, my voice shaking.

"I know everything, your secret won't stay a secret for long." he threatened.

"Please, Ashton, don't" I begged, but he just laughed.

"Don't tell me what to do, princess" he smirked and I brought my knee up to hit him in the stomach, running whilst he gasped in pain.

"Fuck you, Ashton" I said, turning around. I didn't make it far, as he pulled me backwards. I slipped, a small scream leaving my mouth as I hit the concrete floor. I was pulled up, my head swirling as my legs wobbled. He pushed me up against the wall.

"You are so stupid, you know that right?" He smirked, slapping me hard across the face.

"You tell anyone about my Dad, you'll hurt Finn too." I said, and I watched as he stopped for a second.

"Finn isn't the one with a secret. You hide it, you act innocent, but I know. You're the one to blame for him-." I cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"Fuck you." I screamed, kicking him as hard as I could. I pushed him away from me, tears pouring down my face.

"You are going to regret that." He said, and I immediately did.

"I-I-" I didn't have time to finish before I was thrown to the floor. A sharp kick hit my side, followed by another. That was all it took to knock me out.

+

"Oh my god, Rose?" Finn exclaimed, bending down beside me. I opened my eyes sleepily, staring up at him.

"Don't come near me." I said frantically, pushing myself away from him.

"Hey, it's okay." he said, gently helping me up. I was shocked at his gentle behaviour, considering how much he'd changed recently. He sat me on a nearby bench, bending down infront of me. I blinked a few times, keeping my focus on his face.

"What happened?" he asked and I sighed.

"I tripped, and I guess I knocked myself out." I lied, something I had gotten used to doing.

"Well, let's go home." he smiled warmly. He dialled a number, talking briefly before sitting beside me.

"What about school?" I asked quietly, and he smiled.

"It'll be fine."

"Mum's picking us up" he said, wrapping an arm around me. He pulled me into his warm embrace.

"I'm sorry, you know" he said sadly and I looked up at him.

"It doesn't matter." I said simply.

"It does. It matters a lot to me. I nearly lost you, like we lost Dad." He whispered the last part, tears forming in his eyes.

We sat in silence then, until a car pulled up beside us. Mum jumped out, running to me and throwing her arms around my shaking body.

"Honey, are you alright?" she asked, pressing a warm kiss to my forehead.

"I'm fine" I lied as she and Finn helped me to the car. I sat down, my head swirling. I was handed a bottle of water and a few pills, which I numbly took. My whole body ached, my vision was foggy, my chest was tight.

"What do we do?" I heard Finn ask Mum as I closed my eyes tightly.

"Take her home, get her to bed, and keep an eye on her." she replied. As we pulled into the driveway, I walked silently inside, walking upstairs slowly. I swung open the door, closing it behind me and sitting against the wall. It was only then I let myself full-out cry. Once I'd started, I couldn't stop.