bio project

Chapter Seven

The biology teacher gave us the assignment to make a presentation with a partner. We have all week to make it and we present it next week. Everyone turned to find their friends and sat by them while I stay put next to Ashton. I didn't know anyone but him and as far as I saw, he didn't have anyone in this class either.

I slowly look at Ashton putting my head to the side in the most pleading look to get us to work together. I honestly hope his work ethic is better than what I've seen in class. He rolls his eyes sighing a fine. I let out a breath of relief. I can't believe I got him to agree to work with me.

We were supposed to pick a topic from a list that was given to us and make a giant presentation on it that is supposed to last over ten minutes. But the worst part is that today will be the only class time to do it which means we'll have to meet up after school.

"So. . Since this is an out-of-school project, when do you want to meet up? We can do yours or my place. I don't mind." I try to say non awkwardly.

"We can go to mine after school, I'll drive you right after if you want." He says as if not interested.

"Yeah, sure."

I hope that all goes well tonight. . .

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After school ended I absolutely had no idea where I was meeting Ashton. I didn't know where his locker was or what his car looked like. I have been slowly making my way o my locker in hopes that I'll run into him somehow or he'll magically be at my locker waiting for me. How could I let a little thing like meeting up slip my mind? I round the last corner and slowly look towards my locker and almost scream out of joy.  I no longer had to internally freak because he was magically at my locker. I praise the gods for making this easy for me, I don't know what I would have done if I couldn't find him. 

I silently open up my locker to grab my bag. Being around Ashton is a whole new level of awkwardness. I had literally no idea how to act around him.

I follow him in pursuit of his car and make myself comfortable in the passenger seat.

I stare out the window while he drives. Music is playing softly in the background. I'd break the silence, but I had no idea what to open up with. I watch as we pass my street and remember that I didn't tell Alex what I was doing. He's probably so freaked out right now.

I pull out my phone but then put it away right after. I shouldn't have to tell my brother everything I do and everywhere I go. I'll be an adult next year and afterward, out of high school. On another note, Alex will be going to college next year so he'll need to get used to me not always checking in with him. I'll explain my reasoning when I get home later. Hopefully, he won't take it personally, but I need to get used to this for my own sake. Not his.

I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't realize that we had stopped outside a house. The click from Ashton's seatbelt snapped me out of it and I undid my seat belt as well and followed him closely behind. It looked as though we were the only ones here.

Ashton's place was not what I had expected, he lived in a nice and neat house. His room was also clean and organized, more so than mine. His walls were covered in various band posters -- on his desk are various textbooks and a pair of black glasses. Did he wear contacts?

Ashton sat on his bed and I awkwardly stood scoping a place to sit. I didn't want to make a wrong move. I look over to his desk chair and situate myself there which just makes Ashton smirk at me. He didn't actually think I'd sit by him on his bed did he? Hell no.

"Are you hungry? I could order out." Ashton suggests after an hour of working. I ponder a minute, I was hungry.

"Yeah, that'd be nice."

"Pizza good?"

"Yes."

Ashton leaves the room to order the pizza and I take the opportunity to look around more. I know it's not ethical to do so but I could care less. I open up the closet door to find some forgot clothes of color, he should wear these more often, not all dark. In the corner, there's a small box drum, and to the left, a box closed. I'm almost tempted to grab it and see what's inside but footsteps make me close the door quickly and resume my last spot.

Ashton comes back and shuts the door slowly behind him and turns to look me up and down accusingly. He knows.

"Did I hear a door close?" I have a hard time maintaining eye contact and I curse myself for being such a terrible liar.

"No, what are you talking about?" I try to convince him I had no idea what he was talking about but I could see him see through my shit. He raised his eyebrow at me.

"Fine, you caught me."

"Doing what exactly." He said more as a statement than a question.

"Sno *Cough* ing" I cough it out trying to cover myself hitting my chest for emphasis.

"Sorry, what?" He smirks. Of course, he wants me to fully admit it. Shit. Goodbye world.

"Snooping.." I say clearly this time,

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I have bad self-control." I plead bringing my hands together. By the way he was looking at me, I could tell he found this very amusing. I would have thought he'd be furious finding me going through his things. It baffled me that I had misjudged this boy terribly these past few weeks. His bad boy exterior did not match him inside.

He chooses to let it go thankfully and we continue on boring homework.

A knock at the door interrupts our work a half-hour later. Ashton gets up to grab the pizza but gives me a stern look before he walks out. I resist the urge to look around again and focus back on my notes.

I end up eating two slices and contemplate eating a third but decide against it. Better safe than sorry later. If I would have eaten another, I'd probably exploded from being so full.

I look at my phone for the time and notice a bunch of texts asking where I am from Alex. I must've had my phone on silent. I turn to Ashton.

"I should be getting home soon, my brother properly thinks  I've been kidnapped or killed." I laugh at the thought of Alex freaking out. That is what I get for not telling him,

"We can finish this later in the week, maybe at mine?" I suggest.

"Sounds good, I'll take you home in fifteen minutes."

I pack all my notes back into their rightful place and pull my bag over my shoulder looking to Ashton to lead the way.

I tell him where I live, and turns out we're only a few blocks away. I take the car ride to reflect on Ashton. He comes off harsh and bold, but he's really not like that on the inside. I wonder what made him the way he is.

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As I walk through the door, I am pulled upstairs and away from my parents. I glare at Alex the whole way, this was Beverly uncalled for.

"Where the hell were you, and do not try to lie about being with a boy, I saw him."

I roll my eyes. Of course, he was spying on me and Ashton. Sometimes I think he is my dad, not my brother.

"I was working on a school project with Ashton, that's all I swear."

"I don't trust him."

"You say that about anyone I get within an inch to." I defend.

"I mean it, and I really don't trust that Luke kid either."

"Can we change the subject? I really don't want to discuss boys with you."

"I don't think you'd like the next topic on my mind." He looks down at my arm. He knows.

Alex grabs my wrist and carefully pulls up my sleeve and I look away. I don't even bother fighting him, he always manages to find out and I hate that. I can fool everybody but him and I get scolded every time this happens.

"You were in quite the rush that you didn't notice that you left your sweater out in the open." I look at him confused, how can my sweater tell him anything?

"There was blood on the sleeve Emma. It was pretty obvious." He looked very disappointed in me. Of course my sweater had given it away. I must've not cleaned up as well as I thought. I have no idea how it could have slipped my mind that this could've happened.

"I'm sorry." That was all I could reply to. What are you supposed to say in these situations? He could never really understand this.

"I thought you were going to try to stop." I almost laugh. How can I stop? I've gotten used to it, it's a sick voice in the back of my head that tempts me to do it. And I give in.

Every time.

"Em," Alex pulls me back to look at him. I can't keep eye contact without feeling the guilt of my actions, so I look down at the issue at hand. My wrist. How could I keep any friends if they found out about this? Certainly, they'd walk out right after...

Alex pulls me into him after sighing. Apparently I had started crying without noticing. I have no idea how he hasn't given up on me yet. And I'm grateful he hasn't ratted me out to our parents even against his judgment.

"I told you, you could talk to me when you feel like doing this." I nod not able to find my voice.

"You're going to tell me what happened whether you want to or not." He'd most likely ask tomorrow and force me into answering him.

Is sigh in agreement snuggling closer to him just wanting to forget this conversation. Actions have consequences and I am now living up to that saying. I've hurt my brother on many occasions and he still manages to be there for me every time.

I find myself growing extremely tired from everything that's happened today and give in to sleep.