thirty seven
The dimly lit room seemed to sooth me as I awoke from my slumber. I glanced beside me to see Ashton sleeping soundly next to me. His mouth was parted slightly and his familiar curly hair was scattered across his face. I smiled knowing that he was probably dreaming.
My first instinct was to check the time and see that it was 6 AM.
I rolled my eyes in realization that I had to go to school today and reveal my battered face to all of my peers.
The battered face that was caused by my father.
I had no clue what excuse I was going to use this time, my brain began to scatter as I tried to come up with a believable story.
In hopes that I would come up with something within the next hour, I rose from the bed and immediately went for my duffle bag, where I grabbed my toothbrush and my makeup bag. I sighed as I slowly made my way to the bathroom across the hall and stared at myself in the mirror.
The bruise left on my jaw was prominent and the cuts on my lips were still sore.
All I had to do was remember that I was good at hiding things like this, after all, I did it for most of my life.
I searched the makeup bag for a tube of concealer, which I eventually found, and applied it carefully to the bruises. My fingers softly dabbed against my skin as I began to blend the creamy cover up onto my skin.
Once I was finished, I took a good look at myself one last time before quickly applying some powder to set my masterpiece. I had done a pretty good job of hiding the bruises, but the cuts, I was going to have to trust that my skills in lying would come through.
My eyes immediately landed on my mascara and I decided to try some today, with hopes it would distract from my beaten face.
Once my makeup was completed, I ran a comb through my natural wavy hair and headed back to Ashton's bedroom.
I realized I was still wearing just my underwear and openly walking through his home, where I knew his mother and aunt were probably roaming currently.
My eyes quickly widened as I realized I had no way of explaining why I was staying here with them. After all, they didn't technically know about Ashton and I dating yet. Knowing Ash, he probably didn't want to tell them anytime soon either.
I shrugged off the thought as I stepped into the room and saw Ashton awake and standing before me.
"Good morning," he smiled as he approached me. I returned a smile as he quickly pecked my lips.
"Good morning," I replied quietly.
"How did you sleep?" He asked kindly as he searched his dresser for an outfit. I was quick to do the same, except I had a far smaller selection. My duffle bag was big, but not big enough.
"I slept great, what about you?" My voice was soft as I continued to think about Ashton's mom or aunt asking questions, I was terrible at interrogations and I knew for a fact that is exactly what would happen if I didn't try to keep quiet.
"Great, I like it when your here you know?" He whispered as he pulled on a pair of jeans and a grey v-neck.
"Really?" I smiled sarcastically as I slipped on some skinny jeans and threw a plain black hoodie over Ashton's shirt.
"Of course," he chuckled as he came up behind me and rested his chin on my head. He kept his arms placed gently around my waist. A grin crept onto my face as I continued to fumble with my bag. "How's your face?" He asked with worry in his voice.
"Better, I did a pretty good job of covering up the bruises," I mumbled awkwardly as I turned around. He kept his arms wrapped around my waist, except our faces were now just inches apart.
"Why are you protecting him Shannon?" He whispered as he stared into my eyes. My stomach churned. I didn't even know the answer to that question.
"I don't know," I answered simply. He just sighed and pulled away from me. A part of me was disappointed but it was to be expected.
"You realize how badly I want to bash his face in right?" Ashton groaned as his fists clenched. I knew he was angry, and I didn't blame him either.
"I know, but this is my fight Ash," My voice was firm yet kind. "I know my father and trust me, the only way to get to his heart is to make him resent what he did, and the only was to do that is to keep my distance for a while."
"I hate that you're right," he rolled his eyes and slumped down onto his bed.
"I always am," My smirk grew as I leaned down and left a quick kiss on his lips. "Shall we head downstairs and face your family or do you want me to dart out the window?" I asked as he looked up at me.
"We have to tell them at some point don't we?" He said with a hint of annoyance in his voice. My eyebrow immediately cocked as I folded my arms over my chest.
"Wow, I get it," I joked.
"I've just never really introduced someone as my girlfriend," he sighed.
"Not even Lindsey?" I questioned.
"Nope, you know how it was with her," he insisted as he stood up beside me. I was slightly confused by his comment but decided to ignore it. "But besides that, I think my family already knows Shannon, they're just waiting for the perfect time to use it against me," he shrugged. A laugh soon escapes my lips.
"What?!" I chuckled.
"They'll just dangle it over my head until I admit it," he added as his eyebrows furrowed in thought. "So we might as well get it over with, right?"
"I'd love that," I smiled. I was happy that Ashton was finally ready to share our relationship with his family, I felt as if whatever emotional connection we had was finally starting to feel like it was going in a serious direction.
"Shall we?" He smiled as he held out a hand, which I was quick to grasp.
"We shall," My answer was quick as I slung my backpack over my back and followed as he pulled me out of the room and into the kitchen where we saw Jennifer and Ann siting peacefully at the dinning room table.
"Oh hello Shannon," Jennifer spoke up as confusion washed over her face. "S-Sorry, I didn't know you were coming over or I would have tidied up," she softly giggled as she stood up to greet me.
"Oh Jenna don't play dumb, she obviously slept over, I can see it in her innocent little eyes," Ann spat playfully as she stared at me. "By the way sweetie, you need to work on that, if your gonna hang around my son, you've gotta have a good poker face," she chuckled as she sipped on her coffee.
"Mom," Ashton groaned.
"I'm sorry to impose, there is some things going on at home, and Ashton offered me a place to stay," I spoke up softly as I looked up at Ashton, who I realized was still grasping onto my hand.
"Are you kidding, we would love for you to stay with us!" Jenna smiled as she pulled me into a quick hug.
"By things at home, you aren't referring to that obvious bruise you're trying to cover up, are you?" Ann spoke again. The room grew silent rather quickly.
"Ann!" Jenna spoke up quickly. "That's none of our business!"
"Stay as long as you'd like dear," Jenna smiled as her eyes immediately wandered down to mine and Ashton's hands, which were still grasping each others. "Now wait just a damn minute," she squealed. Ashton and I looked at each other in confusion for a moment before she spoke up. "Are you finally dating?!" She cheered.
I responded with a simple nod of my head and her smile grew with each breath she took.
"Thank god, I was starting to worry Ashton was never going to find a girl like you," she said with glee in the tone of her voice.
"Ashton, your finally settling down huh?" Ann spoke up from the corner.
"Yeah Mom," Ashton said calmly.
"Unlike your father," she mumbled, and although it sound rude to anyone's ears other than Ashton's, you could tell it was the best compliment he could receive from someone like his mother.
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school has been such a bitch but i've been trying to update more often