Please Don't Set Me Free // c.t.h

0.9

Michael walked in as soon as the bell rang. He looked like a lost puppy who has just been kicked by a by-passer because his owner yelled at him then abandoned him. I couldn't help but to feel guilty.

Ashton took my hand and squeezed it in reassurance.

"Everything alright?" He asked, not letting go of my hand.

I looked into his hazel eyes and gave him a slight nod.

Ashton flipped his notebook to an empty page and jotted something down before tearing it out and folding it up. He cupped my hand into his, placing the paper in my open palm. As he spoke, he held my hand between his hands.

"If you need anything, a shoulder to lean on, to hang out, a booty call, call me." He assured me.

I giggled at his proposition, knowing it was just to cheer me up.

"I was joking about the booty call thing." He panicked, put his hands up. "Unless you're down.."

I chuckled again, punching him lightly in the arm. He grabbed at the spot I hit him, whining sarcastically. I shook my head, giggling still while I put his number into my phone. Realizing I didn't know his last name, I gave him my phone to type it in. Without looking, I saved the contact. He asked for my number in return and I obliged.

After class, Michael came over to me and waited for me to finish packing up.

"Ready to go Cali?" He asked as we headed for the classroom door.

"Yes, but I have a ride with someone else. Thanks anyways Mikey." I was still scared of him and scared of admitting that to him.

I didn't have an alternate way of getting home besides walking. The walk would take 25 minutes at least. We lived on the edge of the school's zone.

I walked by Michael, slightly bumping into him due to the narrow space between the rows of chairs. I felt his eyes on me as I turned down a hall away from the carpark. I had no idea where I was going, and I didn't care. I just wanted to get away from this damned school and everyone in it. Thoughts of the boys, including Calum for some reason, clouded my mind as I aimlessly walked down a new corridor. I retrieved my violently shaking phone from my backpack.

"Fucking hell Ashton!" I said in the empty corridor. I picked up the call.

"I don't think 'Daddy Ash' is your name Ashton. I asked for your last name." All I got as a response was laughter from someone else on the other side.

A familiar voice spoke up, " 'Daddy Ash' huh? That hurts." Luke's voice was slightly pained in a joking way.

"Shut up. It was Ashton. Why the hell are you phoning me from Ashton's cell Luke."

"I figured I was the only one without your number, which I was correct about, I figured Ash had it."

I eventually arrived to the destination I didn't know I was headed to.

An empty science lab. It looks like it hasn't been used in a few years. I sat down at the furthest table away from the entrance.