The Fosters (On Hiatus)

Chapter 5 (Liam)

"I'll be right back ok bub?"

Niall nods sleepily so I head upstairs to check on the other three.

Before I made it up the stairs, I saw Ashton sleeping on a step. Carefully, I crouch down and gently shake Ashton.

"Ashton, bud."

Ashton stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Mh."

"How 'bout you go up to your bed and get comfy?"

Waking up a little more, Ashton sat up better and looked at me. Rubbing his eyes again, he nods.

Ashton gets up and sleepily walks up the stairs. I smile and go to check on the other two. Zayn didn't have a blanket on him so I quietly walked in there and covered him up. When I figured Ashton was asleep, I checked in his room on Michael and him.

Michael was snuggled against Ashton while Ashton was drifting in and out of sleep. They didn't have a blanket either.

I walk in there and cover them up a little. When Ashton fought, I whispered, "Ashton. Shh. It's ok, it's cold out and you need a blanket ok?"

Ashton glared and closed his eyes tightly. I take that as a yes and cover the two boys up.

"Get some sleep, ok?"

No answer. Sighing, I walk back down the stairs. Niall looked up at me and had some tears in his eyes.

"Hey buddy, what's wrong?"

He sniffled. "Y-you left."

Walking over to him, I say, "I'm sorry. Just went to check on the others."

He hugs me and doesn't let go. Smiling, I rub his back. Niall sniffles again and lays his head on my lap.

"Tired?" He nods. "Ok. Would you be ok sleeping in mine and Louis' bed?"

He shrugs. I stand up and help Niall. We head upstairs and I help him in the bed.

I lay next to him, and as soon as I do, he cuddled close. Covering us up, I wrap my arm around him gently. Soon, the room is filled with quiet snores of Niall and Louis.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

The sun shines bright when I wake up. I squint to see better and notice Louis at the drawers.

"Morning Li."

"Morning."

I feel a body shuffle a little and look to my side. Niall is sleeping, his head on my chest.

"These rules at school wanna kill me I swear," Louis says. "No swearing, dress code, all the meetings for teachers, and worst of all- getting up at six in the morning just to get ready and be there by 7:55."

I chuckle. "Why'd you want to be a teacher then?"

"Because I might as well show of my acting skills and how dramatic I can be," he shrugged. "Plus the kids are great when they aren't being little shits." That's the Louis I know. Smiling, Louis looks at me. "Which one?"

He holds up two ties, a navy blue and a red-violet. "I say the purple one because it makes your eyes stand out more than the blue one."

He smiled wider. "Purple it is."

Niall shifts again and rubs his eyes.

"Morning bubba," Louis says. "Sleep good?"

Niall looks panicked and moves away from me a little. He slowly makes his way towards the edge of the bed and I try to stop him. "Niall bud, be careful. You're by the edge."

He doesn't listen. Instead, he backs up off the bed and screams, "No!"

I hear feet coming towards the room. "Niall?" Michael's voice says, panicked.

Niall doesn't get off the floor. I looked over the edge to see him balled up, crying. "Niall," I try. "Bubba."

I get off the bed and kneel down next to him. He pushed me away and screams again.

Michael tries to run over and Louis stops him. "Hang on bud."

Michael fought against Louis' arms. "Niall!" Niall froze in my arms. "Niall please," Michael sobbed.

I tried pulled Niall into a hug but he freaked again. "N-No! Stop!"

I hear Louis say, "Hang on. Li- Ashton!"

A body kneeled next to me. Niall was flailing his arms, fighting me. I heard Louis tell Michael to stay where he is for a minute.

"Ashton you have to-"

"I don't give a crap. You think you are so high and mighty taking in four kids who a messed up but you really aren't," Ashton snapped.

I stood up and Niall seemed to calm down. "Ashton you can't talk to us that way."

"We're out of this place soon anyways. What does it matter?"

"It matters because you live under our roof for the time being," Louis states.

"You're some other stupid placement."

"Ashton, I would bring your attitude down if I were you," I warn.

"Well you're not me now are you?!" he yells. "Let me take care of Niall."

"Ashton you need to go calm down before something happens you will regret," Louis offers.

"You're just some other placement who won't give a fuck what happens to us," Ashton mumbles as he leaves. "I regret everything since I have been in this stupid system so don't assume."

Then he's gone.