Labels [lashton/malum]

Chapter 11: Fights

Warning: transphobia (i'm assuming it's transphobic to misgender someone who is gender fluid. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong); minor violence.

Edited May 2021

"It feels weird walking into school with someone else," Ashton said quietly as they approached the building. She was wearing a black overall dress with a white long sleeve shirt beneath it. Her heavy black boots thudded against the pavement as they walked.

"Why do you say that?" Luke asked, looking over at her.

"I don't know. I've been alone since the day I started expressing..." she trailed off as she gestured down at herself. "It's just weird to have someone to walk into school with."

"Well get used to, cause I'm here as long as you want me here," Luke smiled softly, growing slightly when he saw the pink blush on Ashton's cheeks. Ashton didn't respond verbally as they pushed through the front doors of the school.

"I um, I need my English textbook," Ashton gestured off in the direction of her locker.

"Lead the way," Luke gestured grandly with his hand. Ashton rolled her eyes as she started walking again, guiding Luke towards her locker. She paused for a second as she saw Todd leaning against one of the lockers beside hers, and thought briefly about just telling Mrs. Graham that she forgot it at home. But Luke walked up and pressed his shoulder against the locker directly next to Ashton's, his back to Todd. Luke gestured with an encouraging smile at the locker so Ashton walked up and quickly twisted in her combination, opening it up and hooking the lock.

"What's this?" Todd shifted to stand behind Ashton. "The little bitch got himself a body guard."

"Herself."

"What was that Hemmings?" Todd turned towards Luke with a condescending smile.

"I said, herself. If the dress didn't clue you in already, Ashton's pronouns are 'she' and 'her'," Luke said, trying to keep his voice as calm as possible.

"Right, until she remembers that he has balls." Todd laughs at his own sick joke. "Or maybe he decided to chop them off. Maybe that's why he fits into dresses so well. That would fit the little bitch boy thing he's got going for him."

"You're an asshole. Just leave her alone," Luke stepped up to Todd with furrowed brows and a frown.

"Luke, let's just go," Ashton whispered, hugging her textbook to her chest.

"So, do you just naturally attract whores? I mean, first your mom and now the drag queen?" Todd smirked.

"Luke, come on." Luke could hear the plea in Ashton's voice but his eyes stayed fixed on Todd, his jaw locked.

"Is it because your dad bailed? You trying to feel like a man? I bet the little slut begs real nice for it, huh?" Luke chuckled like Todd's words were funny, casting his eyes down at the floor for a second as he nodded.

"Luke-" Ashton cuts herself off with a gasp when Luke punches Todd. His fist makes contact with Todd's nose with a sickening crack and an explosion of blood. Ashton's hands find Luke's arm and she pulls him into her as Todd goes crashing into the lockers.

"Sorry," Luke says to her, though his voice doesn't sound sorry at all.

"What happened?" Michael's tiny voice appears through all the chaos as students help Todd stand straight and someone else warns that coach Spencer is thundering his way over.

"Luke fucking punched Todd, like a dumbass," Ashton scolded.

"I regret nothing," Luke shrugged, smiling a little deliriously as the adrenaline settles in. Ashton smiled despite herself.

"You're fucking dead Hemmings!" Todd's voice was nasally as blood gushed from his nostrils.

"What are you going to do, McClain? I'm right here!" Luke gestured to himself. Todd lunged for him, tackling Luke down to the ground. Luke vaguely hears Ashton yelling his name but Todd was on top of him, punching anywhere he can. Luke shoved him off and got one more good punch to his jaw before Todd was being ripped off of him by Coach Spencer.

"Jesus Christ, Luke," Ashton muttered as she and Michael helped Luke stand, blood dripping down his chin from a cut on his lip.

"Both of you, principal's office, now!" Coach Spencer yelled.

-

"So what happened?" Michael asked as smoke seeped last his lips. Ashton rolled her eyes as Michael handed her the cigarette. They were sitting below the bleachers, leaning against the metal and passing a cigarette back and forth.

"Luke got in Todd's face about using proper pronouns and then Todd called his mom and I whores and Luke punched him. They both got two days suspension," Ashton took a long drag as she shook her head.

"You have to admit, that was really cool of him. That he stood up for you like that," Michael smiled small.

"That's why I agreed so easily to be a part of his little label revolution," she admitted, looking down at the ground as she drew her leg up to lean her chin on her knee. "The way he was so accepting even though he didn't know me. I just, I don't want Luke to have a target on his back like I have one on mine. Todd's a dick and I've been avoiding making the situation worse," Ashton took another drag as Michael raised his eyebrows at her. "I guess it was pretty hot though." A pink blush found its way to her cheeks.

"I said cool," Michael raised his eyebrows teasingly. Ashton ducked her head with an embarrassed smile. "Don't worry your secret's safe with me," he chuckled.

"You know, you're really cool Mikey. I know we've only really been hanging out for a few days but I really like spending time with you. You're easy to talk to," Ashton said.

"Ditto." Michael smiled. Ashton laughed, passing the boy the cigarette.