Spray Painted Hearts

Chapter 1- Andi's P.O.V

I'm not going to school today. There's no hope in hell that I'm going through that hell when my grades are straight A and I need sleep.

"Come on Alexandria!" My mothers shouts from downstairs. I groan at her voice and roll onto my stomach and bury my face under my pillow. And then her footsteps come pounding up the stairs and I know I'm in deep shit.

My door is thrown open, grating along the carpet and grating on my nerves too.

"You have school!" She snaps from the doorway. I groan again and roll over to sit up. Mum's framed by my doorway, and even though she looks annoyed by the way her face is screwed up, her ladylike nature has caused the rest of her body to still be straight and relaxed.

"That was unladylike. Now go get ready. Your cousin is taking you to school today." She says and I manage to nod, but I've closed my eyes. I don't want to go to school.

Wait a second! Did she just say my cousin was taking me to school? I only have one cousin who can drive and he lives in a different part of Sydney.

I throw my legs out of bed and race after my mum who's already started to traipse down the stairs into the main house.

"Mum!" I shout, thundering after her.

"Don't run in the house! And don't yell either!" She reprimands when I reach her at the foot of the stairs. I manage to not roll my eyes before opening my mouth to ask if my favourite person ever is in this part of Sydney or not.

"And what are you wearing?" She asks in astonishment and disgust. I'm taken aback and I look down at my black and white polka dot booty shorts and black singlet.

"Pyjamas?" I say.

"They're awful. And there's no colour. How dare you walk around this house wearing something so disgusting." Mum says. Oh for fuck's sake. Really? They're not pink so I can't wear them around the house.

"Mum, I'll go and change in a second, but is Ash-" I begin before a familiar voice calls from the kitchen.

"Morning Sunshine!" And I'm running again. I almost shove Mum out of the way as I sprint as fast as I can into the kitchen where my tall, muscular cousin is waiting for me. I run into his arms and he grabs my around the waist, picking me up and spinning me around.

"Ashton!" I shout, giggling as he sets me back down.

"You've grown Andi." He says with his grin, ruffling my messy hair. I laugh again and give him another hug, I haven't seen this guy for almost a year. It's been too long. I see that he's telling the truth because I'm under his chin now, he's not such a giant anymore.

"I have too." I agree and he chucks me under the chin before settling down at the bench on a barstool.

"Alexandria Janine Clarkeson-Ashby." Mum rattles off my full name and I cringe at Ashton who just shrugs with a grin.

"Ashton Fletcher Irwin." Mum then adds and it's his turn to wince. I just laugh quietly and look at Mum, Ashton turning the stool to look at her also.

"You two know better than to be loud in this house. Especially you Alexandria. The two of you must act with perfect decorum." Mum says, only just keeping her cool. Wow, having two loud teenagers must be so stressful. Well, Ashton's twenty now, so not a teenager anymore, but whatever.

"Ashton, you are staying here for a while, you must behave as if I've raised you." Mum says. Ashton pinches me gently in the back because he's a fucking weirdo and I laugh. A sharp look from Mum and I stop the laughter.

"I will be on my best behaviour Aunty Janine." Ashton says with his charming smile and Mum seems sold.

"Good. You know that now you're staying here you'll need to play chauffeur for Alexandria because ours quit unexpectedly last week. That can be your way of paying rent." Mum explains and Ashton wiggles his eyebrows animatedly at me.