Teacher | Ashton Irwin

Eighteen

Soon he fell asleep. I was wide awake and my mind was overtaking me. I knew that there was a choice I needed to make; Ashton or Jack? Jack was sweet, mysterious, and a very kind person once I cracked him open. But Ashton... Ashton's different. He's kind, caring, protective, dominant and everything else but there was one thing that pointed me in Ashton's direction; he's potentially risking his career for me. Why?

**

I woke up and yet again, the bed was empty. I rolled over and looked at the little clock on the beside table. It was 6pm. Everyone must be away for dinner. I sat up. I was completely stiff. The ache was constant but I decided that I would go and find them at the disgusting diner along the road.

I got up, almost crying as my body had been battered and bruised last night. I threw the new white top over me head and shoved a pair of grey leggings on. I didn't care that I wasn't wearing makeup. I put on my vans and waddled out the door.

I looked at my phone, nothing, not a message or call. I put my phone in the waistband of my leggings and began walking down the stairs.

The thought suddenly hit me. I pulled my phone out my leggings and turned onto front camera -my 'go to' mirror. I noticed that I had a cluster of dark hickeys on the right side of my neck. I quickly flipped my hair down to cover it.

Every step I took, I heard my bones pleading me to stop. It was a five minute walk but eventually I arrived.

I opened the door and close it again. Ashton jumped up from his seat and rushed over to me, running through the maze of seats. He reached me eventually. He gasped, "are you okay? Are you sore?"

"I'm really not fine at all," I softly spoke, "I'm completely still and I can almost hear my bones screaming for me to stop walking."

He made it look like he was helping me to the nearest table, away from everyone. He wrapped one arm carefully around my waist and he held my arm with his other hand.

He helped me walk and I slid into the booth. He sat opposite me. He looked purely panicked and honestly, he looked scared. He muttered, "I'm so sorry Rachel, I didn't mean to-"

I cut him off. I smiled, "Ashton. Don't apologise. That was one of the best nights of my life. Thank you for making it so special."

"Oh," he blushed slightly, "no bother."

I laughed at his awkwardness. He looked around before his eyes met mine. He whispered, "When we get back, I'm going to take you for a real date; not just pretending to be my girlfriend."

"That's if I said yes," I raised an eyebrow.

He looked a bit shocked before he smirked, "I'll get you to go on a date with me. You'll want to, believe me."

"You better turn on the charm then," I playfully pushed his arm. I giggled, "I would walk away from here, leaving you dumbfounded but you completely wrecked me last night."

"It'll be fine by tomorrow," he smiled.

I looked around, searching for Jack. I asked, "Have you seen Jack?"

"Not recently. What's going on with you two?" He asked.

"Jealous?" I played.

He quickly retorted, "no," he hushed and whispered, "A bit, yeah. Are you friends with him or with him with him?"

"No Ashton," I smiled. "I like you but you know it's like against the law for you to date me."

He sighed, "I know. But do you not find it kind of hot? you know, it is forbidden."

"No Ashton. It's illegal," I chuckled even though I was honestly feeling pretty upset. I do like Ashton but it just can't happen. He would a) lose his job and b) he could potentially go to jail.

He smirked and growled, "Saying it's illegal makes me want you even more."

"First, you have to get me," I smirked. I dragged my body up so I was now standing at the end of the booth. I walked away to Luke and Emma's table, swaying my hips in the process. Yeah, it was sore but it was bound to turn him on.