The Fosters (On Hiatus)

Chapter 4 (Ashton)

I go over to Niall and Zayn. Niall is freaking out again, which means he didn't take his pill.

I whisper in his ear, "Ni. It's Ash, can you listen to me for a minute?" He doesn't move. "Can you do that for me?" He nods. "Zayn has a blanket and your meds for you ok? You're gonna need us to help with the monsters. Can you do that?" He nods.

I look towards Michael who is whispering in Louis' ear. Louis nods and gets up off the couch. He heads into the kitchen and comes back with a glass of water. Handing the glass to Niall, he sits on the couch again. Niall shakily accepts the glass. Zayn hands me the pill bottle and hands Niall a couple pills. His hands were shaky so Zayn helped him hold them still.

Refusing to move, Niall kept still in his seat. I lean to him and whisper, "Ni, they're your meds. Can you take them?" He rapidly shakes his head. "They won't hurt you. They're gonna help you. Take them for me and Zee?"

Niall nods and slowly takes them. He breaks down after a moment when they kick in and I take the glass from him. Niall seemed really panicked and Zayn held him.

"It's ok Ni. It's ok, I'm here," he whispered.

Niall just held him tightly and sobbed in his chest.

"Lou go get some sleep. I'll take care of them," Liam says quietly.

"But-"

"Louis they are ok. I've got this ok?"

Reluctantly, Louis agrees. He heads up the stairs and Liam looks to me.

"Why don't you three get some sleep? I'll take care of Niall," he says.

Zayn looks at him unsure, me giving the same look. Michael nods. "Ok," he whispers.

Liam looks at Michael. "Who's room would you like to sleep in bud?"

Michael looks down. "Mine," I say and look at him.

Michael looks back at me and nods. "Ashton's.."

"Ok. That is fine."

We all head up the stairs. Well, the other two did. I stayed on the stairs, out of sight, just to make sure Niall would be ok. Liam sat on the couch and was talking to him. Niall was crying still, so Liam gently pulled him closer. He didn't get an argument. Instead, I saw Niall pull the blanket around him more when Liam did so.

I noticed Liam hold him in his arms while he cried. Niall seemed in comfort but didn't look like he trusted Liam. I mean, it is reasonable. It's hard for foster kids and orphans to trust people if they are in many bad placements or have bad trust issues. I have major trust issues and I know the other three do as well. But maybe this isn't so bad of a placement for once.

Why would three teenagers and a ten year old sound fun to foster? Especially if they all have many of their own problems, let alone it is hell when they are all together. Niall sniffles and wraps his arm around Liam's stomach. I watch as Liam looks down and whispers something to him. Niall shakes his head and closes his eyes tightly.

"N-No please," he whispers in response.

Liam nods. "That's ok bub."

He rubs Niall's arm and lays his head on top of his. Liam looks tired but I don't want to casually walk in there. Niall didn't move. He just let the man hold him. I want to just go over there and hold him. I just want him to be ok. It hurts me to see him in this pain and I want him to get better, I just don't know if he can from how little help he's gotten. Suddenly, Liam hummed a tune, which caught my attention when I turned to walk back to the bedroom. I sat back down and listened as he hummed.