If You Don't Know

We walked down the street, and walked into the store. “Get anything your beautiful heart desires!” I shouted throwing my arms up. “Anything? Are you sure?” Ashton questioned. “Oli gave me a lot of money. Or we can walk all the way back home, empty handed and ordered pizza.” I laughed. “Let’s just get some drinks and order pizza yeah?” We looked around and got some chips, drinks, candy, and popcorn.

With bags in hand we left and walked back to my house. “Do you do this a lot?” He asked and I nodded, “Whenever Lidia needs something.” I sighed. “How long have you been with in the foster system?” “We’ll talk about it over pizza.” I laughed and we entered my house. “GOD FUCKING DAMMIT VICTORIA LONDON HALE. WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT LEAVING WITHOUT TELLING ME?! AND BRINGING HIM, BACK.” Lidia shouted and I growled. “Sorry.” And we walked into my room, I slammed the door shut and locked the door.

I pulled out the laptop Oli had given me as an early birthday present and opened Netflix. “I’ll call the pizza in real quick.” I smiled and walked into the closet. “Hi, yeah, can I have one large cheese and one large peperoni please?” I said into the phone. They told me my order would be here in 45 minutes. I had to time it, Lidia hated when the doorbell rang after 7. “What do you want to watch?” I asked. “Anything, it’s your choice.” He smiled. “I only watch horror movies.” I laughed and he was totally okay with that. Yay!

Before we started the movie I spread the drinks and extras on the floor around us. I put some pillows behind our heads, and I brought my blanket down. It was 40 minutes after I ordered the pizza. I grabbed the money and literally ran to the door. The guy was just about to ring the doorbell, luckily I caught him. I took our pizzas and paid the guy. I went back into my room and saw Ashton just sitting there, god he was fucking adorable.

I put the boxes on the ground and got under the blanket, “I’m kind of a really big cuddler.” I laughed. “It’s okay, I am too.” He winked and cuddled up next to him. We watched the original Exorcist. Which was by far, one of my most favorite horror movies. Once it was over, we sat apart from each other and started asking questions, well he did, I just answered them.
“How long have you been in the foster system?” He asked.
“Ever since I can remember, I think they said I’ve been in here for 15 years, since I was 2. I don’t really know why.”
“How long have you been in this house?”
“11 months, the longest I’ve ever been in a house.”
“And you’re 18? I’m 20.”
“I turn 18 on Saturday.” I laughed.

And he continued asking questions and I answered them. “GOD SHUT THE HELL UP!” Lidia shouted and we sat there for a second then busted out laughing. “Do you want to go somewhere?” I asked him. “Uh, sure.” He laughed. I grabbed a bag and shoved a blanket in there and my phone. “Where to?” He asked. “Oli and Hannah have a house that they hardly are ever at. Lillia doesn’t even know about it. So we’ll go there. It’s only a mile or so.” “I can get us a car Tori.” Ashton laughed. “If it won’t take an hour sure.” I said and he called in a ‘favor’ and there was a car in front of my house, very quickly, and another car to follow it. We got in one of the cars and then the two guys drove off in the other one.

I drove. We drove for maybe about 20 minutes before we got there. It was a small house on the lake. It was the getaway house. They practically bought it for me. After a few months of being friends with Lillia, Oli and Hannah got together, and Oli knew me well, and he was like ‘I have this house on the lake, sometimes I have parties there, but hardly ever. No one knows about it except Hannah, and now you. It’s the getaway house. Having a bad day? Go there.’ And then he handed me a set of keys, and ever since then I go there almost every week.

“I think I’m going to move into this house when I turn 18.” I said and he smiled. “It’s really nice.” He cooed as we pulled into the driveway. We got out of the car and walked inside. The walls were a baby blue and the floor was wooden. There were little drawings I had done on the walls, they didn’t mind. They told me it was cute. I had my own room here, and it was a lot bigger than the one at my foster home. It was like two rooms put together. “Well, this is my getaway.” I said and sat the bag down. “There’s a TV here.” I chuckled.

“Tori.” His voice was deeper than normal, it kind of scared me. “Y-yes?” I asked, horrified almost. He inched closer to me, my eyes were already closed, I was waiting for him to hit me. But the next thing I knew his lips were on mine, and we were kissing. He broke away and bit his lip. I smiled and removed the couch cushions and pulled out the couch bed. I took the blanket out of the bag and crawled under it. “This is the most comfortable bed here.” I laughed. He came and laid down next to me. I rested my head on his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, he was kind of nervous. I got about as close to him as I could. I felt my eyes getting heavy and me falling asleep.


~Ashton’s pov~

I looked down and saw Tori fast asleep on my chest. I smiled and ran my fingers through her beautiful brown locks. She was gorgeous honestly, I would marry her for her looks. But she’s so hurt. I can see her scars on her wrist, I just never said anything. The ones on her thighs were even worse. That kiss, it showed so much pain she’s hiding, and so much love. She wants to love. But I can tell that guys have hurt her before. I’m surprised she’s trusting me so easily.

I grabbed her arm and kissed her wrist. “Ashton?” A quiet voice asked and I smiled, “I’m right here.” She sat up and asked me why I did that. “Because, no one as beautiful as you deserves things like this. Tell me, tell me it all.” I said. She looked at me and laughed, “Why?! So you can use my weaknesses against me like everyone else?!” She shouted and darted up. “No Tori no! I could tell, from that kiss, that someone hurt you. That you loved someone once. And I just want to help you.” I said trying to calm her down. “Bullshit!” She shouted and stormed off into another room.

I got up and followed the sounds of crying. “Tori, please, I’m sorry.” I sighed. “Go away!” She shouted. I huffed and walked to the bag and got her phone and called Oli “Oli?” I said into the phone. “Yeah, what’s up?” He replied back. “Hey man, it’s Ashton. I saw Tori’s scars… and I asked her what happened. And all I wanted to do was help. But she got mad.” I said trying not to sound rude. “Where are you guys?” He asked. “At your lake house.” “I’ll be right there.” He said and hung up.

“Oli’s coming Tori…” I said with my head against the door, I’m guessing it’s the bathroom. I stood like that for 5 minutes or so, then Oli came in and I showed him where she was. “Tori, it’s Oli, come on, you need to come out. He didn’t want to hurt you.” Oli said. “But he did!” She replied back. “And how did he do that?” “He asked about them!” “Tori get your ass out here. You know damn well he was just trying to help.” Oli said and the door opened.

She looked down and made her way back to the couch. “Now you guys have a good time. And Tori, let a guy care for you. He isn’t Chase okay? Please Tori.” Oli said, hugged her, and left. “He’s like a big brother to you huh?” I asked and she nodded. “Can I ask who Chase is?” She shook her head no. “Okay love, just come here. Go back to sleep.” I said and she cuddled up with me. There’s something hurting this girl. And I’ll figure it out. And do everything I can for her.

Notes