Beside You - Ashton Irwin

7

The period went faster than expected. We finished our work with 10 minutes of class time to spare. I honestly was 50/50 about actually putting effort into classwork, I had already done all of my necessary exams to get into college, I already had a spot there, but I didn't technically have a high school diploma. I ended up deciding to put the effort in, just so I could walk across the stage with Eddie and her friends. The boys ended up being really nice to me. "So why did you move here anyway? Kinda random you know?" Ashton asked me. I wasn't ready to talk about my dad being in jail to my new friends. "Uhh.. my parents got... divorced. So I'm staying with Eddie for a while." 

I gave Eddie a look to let her know not to say anything about my dad. "Your parents sent you across the world because they got divorced?" Luke looked at me. My lie seemed kinda stupid at this point. "Yeah, Change of scenery. She was meant to graduate next month and go off to college but because of the.. divorce, she needs some time away from everyone." Eddie said in my defence. Her lie was very convincing and I was hoping we could all change the topic. Eddie could sense this too. "So, you're stuck with us for music with Mr Daniels then... Cal is in your politics class I believe?" I was thankful that we had moved on, but a part of me wanted to tell the boys, I felt like I could trust them. But the louder part of me told me to put my guard back up, rebuild my walls. I had been hurt by the people I loved before. I didn't want that pain to happen again. 

Even if I did tell them, I just didn't want to be seen as the girl with the crazy dad. It was obvious to me how much more privilege and money I had than most people at this school, and I didn't want people to know who I really was. I didn't want people to know how much money my family had, especially since I was viewed as an ATM to Diane, Karlie and Emora. Being in a new place with new people who didn't know who you are or where you come from is refreshing. Is this what Anthony felt like? It was weird that I was thinking more about my dead brother a lot more. Maybe his spirit was coming to protect me? That sounds believable. Now I'm the crazy one! Everyone got up from the table, packed up their books and started walking out. 

"We have music Andy, we like getting there a bit earlier than Mr Daniels." This was a bit random but never the less I followed the boys and Eddie to the door. The corridor seemed longer than it was this morning since there were double the amount of students walking down it. Eddie and I walked into the music room and saw Mikey, Luke, Calum with guitars up the front, and Ashton sitting on a little box, which I assumed from my minimal musical knowledge was some kind of percussion box? "Hey guys, we're going to be playing a song called 'Come One, Come All' by All Time Low, but the acoustic version," says Luke. "To pass music class their year, they all need extra credit, so Mr Daniels offered to them that if they played a song at the start of each class, they would each get one credit point," Eddie whispers to me. I nod and focus on my new friends.

Come one, come all you're just in time

To witness my first breakdown

'Cause there's a mile gone for every minute passed

When I'm stuck in this town

I've got a bone to pick with you, Mr DJ

The traffic in this town is just as bad as it is in L.A.

They suddenly stopped playing, which was unfortunate since they were really good. I looked over at the door and saw a man who looked a bit older than my dad walk in. The boys looked at him and went to go put their instruments away. "Thank you, boys, for that performance, but alas, we have to get onto music class" He smiled and looked around the room. Eyes landing on me. "Ahh, Andrea? Your name was on my list?" I nodded, "Uh- yeah It's Andy, Uhm, I'm new here. I'm also Eddie's cousin." 

He nods, "ah, I see you're not from Australia. Why don't you introduce yourself, we can all ask questions, get to know each other." I knew today would be full of teachers asking me to introduce myself. "Hey guys, I'm Andy, as some of you already know, I'm from New York and I moved here for a while to live with Eddie." I looked back at Mr Daniels. "Ok class, raise your hand if you have a question for Andy here." Almost everyone's hands flew up, Mr Daniel laughed. "Pippa?" "Hi, Uhm, do you have any siblings?" I gulped and looked at Eddie for a split second. "N-no I don't" I push the tears back so I wouldn't be weird for crying over a stupid question. "Kyle?" 

"I heard a rumour that you're going to Harvard. Is it true? How would you afford that?"I cringed at the question, over multiple things, there was already a rumour about me? Thanks, Calum. "Uh, yeah I did my SATs and LSATs early and got in basically. And uh, my-my dad's a politician." And there it was again. Telling everyone stupid facts about my dad or who I was. Oh fuck. People were going to google my last name. Everything about the FBI investigation, him going to jail, people would find out. I was so close to running out the door when my phone rang. 

Mr Daniels cocked his eyebrow. "No phones in class, Andy, you should know that by now." I looked at the Caller ID and didn't recognise is. What if it was something important? "I'm so sorry, and it won't happen again, I really need to take this. I'll be 5 minutes?" He thinks for a second and nods his head. I walk outside the classroom, hopefully out of view of the other students and answer the phone.

"Hello? Andy Pentworth speaking."

"Sweetie, I missed your voice."

"DAD?" I try not to scream.

"Yeah, sweetie. They convicted me of the bad things I did, I get one call every 2 weeks. This is my first one. I only get five minutes. But I-I can't explain what's going on yet. I just need you to know that I love you and your mom. You'll be safe wherever you are. I don't know where you are and you probably shouldn't tell me. But stay safe Muffin. I got some of my insiders to seal your account from mine and your mothers so the FBI can't look into it or freeze it. I don't know when I'll be able to speak to you again. Je t'aime Princesse." Tears were falling down my face at a fast pace.

"I-I love you too Daddy. Please be safe."

Just then the line cut out and a few more tears rolled down my face. I wiped them off with the back of my arm. I walked back into class and surprise surprise everyone was looking at me. I know I had red eyes and a tear-stained face but the least they could all do is not be intimidating. Eddie beckoned me over to her and the boys. I leant over and whispered in her ear so only she could hear. "Dad just rang from jail. He said he's protecting me from the FBI. I-I'm so scared Eddie." 

More tears fell off my face while everyone tried to focus in class. I knew basically everyone's eyes were on me but I tried to ignore them. Eddie pulled me into a hug. "I'll be ok Andy." I didn't have enough energy to retaliate and say that nothing would ever be ok but I couldn't even open my mouth to speak.

*Translations*

-Je t'aime Princesse: I love you, Princess