Massachusetts is cold, totally different than Florida, so I tightened my jacket and scarf around me for the 100th time this morning.
6 a.m. is way too early to wake up especially in my new cold home.
I only lived here at my new families house for a month and today was my first day at my new school.
Even the gloves aren´t helping anymore, my hands are freezing and breathing into my hands can only help so far.
“The Honey Budgers, a dangerious street gang in Florida, involved in blackmail, murder and extortion, with around 10.000 members, had a fight with another gang, The Sk8ters. Weapons like knives and guns were involved, during this fight 100 people were killed, another 150 people were badly wounded. Not only gang members, but innocent people got hurt during the fight. Honey Budgers boss Keith Kingston were taken in by the police for questioning.“, the reporter on TV behind me in some shop said.
When I saw the news behind me, my body broke out in goosebumps and my hands started shaking. Theres a simple reason for this, my parents were murdered when I was nearly 3 years old.
Honestly, I liked living in Florida, in Miami to be excact, the weather was good and the beach always nearby.
But I can´t complain to get into the family of the house of the married couple Wilston, because they´re nice and cordially welcomed me eventhough I was a teenager and had quite the story to tell.
What I can remember from back then is, that there were blood, screams that died of silently till there were nothing left. I was in something dark and cramped, as a baby not being able to move around much, looking outside into a room, where Mom and Dad layed covered in blood, after that I don´t remember anything, everything went black.
With screeching tires the school bus holds in front of the bus stop which brings me back to reality.
I take the bus and made myself mentaly prepared to face a new school, new lessons and new people.
I am in fact pretty nervous, because I would be interviewed about my family background. And if they dig a little deeper they would ask about what happened that day when I was told my parents died and I don´t want that.
Sometimes I still get flashbacks when talking about it and getting triggered unexpectedlyby the most random things, like the colour red or the smell of desinfection. In some moments I don´t even know why I get triggered by it, because I can´t remember everything.
When I have these flashbacks I get some blinks of what I saw that day. I remember the blood, my parents laying in there and hear some unfimiliar voices.
“Would you like to introduce yourself?“ A teacher appearantly asked me, while I stand in front of a class.
Huh? When did I get into school? Or into this class?
It seems like I must look like deer run over by a car, becuase the first kids start laughing. Not that I could be angry at them, I probably looked stupid.
“Uhm, … sure, of course. My name is Ashley Quinton, you can call me Ash. I´m 16 years old and happy to be in your class. Nice to meet you all.“, I stuttered a bit.
Like all teenagers they started whispering when the new guy introduced himself. The teacher gestures for me to take a seat, so I set down next to a big, fit looking guy, who gave me a bit of a delinquent vibe. Luckily my seat was next to the window, so I could distract myself from the delinquent.
Like the loud noises from the soccer field.
I could take a peek at the soccer team, and must admit, i was impressed.
They were all pretty sexy … good looking, I meant good looking.
But the team captain was the most handsome guy of them all.
Not just because he was cute, but because he shined from head to toe from having fun by playing with friends.
"Ashley Quinton! Please come up here.“, shouted the teacher.
Oh no, now he got me, I didn´t pay any attention.
Finally the lessons were over, which is the greatest for a student.
So, I hurry to get to my locker and get home.
The lockers are on the second floor, at the end of the hall near the window front.
I thought nothing wrong with it, while organizing my books. Without warning, I got hit in the head by something from behind and the next I knew I was unconcious.
I didn´t know how long I passed out, untill I heard a voice talking to me.
"Hey!!! Can you hear me!!“, the person shouted.
While opening my eyes slowly with a serious headache.
But what I saw next, you could call it a life changing moment, because the person standing above me, was breath-taking, his handsome face just blew me away.
The sun seemed to put a spotlight right on him, making his brown hair look like flowing amber and his green eyes shining like jade.
But what really surprised me was the seriously worried look in his eyes.
I could only gasp for breath like a fish on land and say nothing.
It was way too late before I realized that he was the captain of the soccer team.
"You´re finaly awake. I´m so sorry about the ball. Are you ok?“ he asked again.
"You´re the hot guy from the soccer team!“, was all I could come up with.
And the moment those word left my mouth, I felt like cutting my tongue off.
What´s wrong with me?
He looked surprised for a second but then smiled at me.
The Hottie offered me his hand to help me stand up.
While I …fucking panicked.
I jumped to my feet and made a run for my life, ran through the halls even though I was dizzy due to the headache.
The guy shouting something behind me, but I was´nt paying him any attention.
The situation was too confusing and overwhelming.
Damn, that was a mess. Don´t get your hopes up, he isn´t like you. He wouldn´t talk to you like that if he knew that you ... !!!
Back at home I slammed my room door behind me and threw myself on the bed, buried under my blanket.
I wonder if I could stay here for at least the next month.
A heavy sigh escaped my mouth.
Much has changed in an short amound of time. The orphanage, my family, new school, new … Think about it!!! … Just give me a break!!
While I´m still cursing, my phone went off.
Great, today really isn´t my day.
Ignoring all the shouts coming from the dinner.
He was so nice the whole time … Don´t do it again, Ashley. Maybe he would be a good friend, but first of all, I shouldn´t make friends for obvious reasons and second, I was reminded of what I couldn´thave.
And I seriously didn´t want that.
Because I have already been through a lot and I dont want histroy to repeat itself.
So, my solution was ...
No boyfriend, no drama ... no heartbreak.
When I wake up the next day, my head hurts, my stomach flips. I had to force myself to go downstairs for breakfast, great my parents and to calm Vanessa. “Ash, dear, you look pale. Are you not feeling well? Do you want to go to the doctors?“ “No, Mom, I´m fine. Still feeling a bit nervous because of the new environment.“ Out of respect to both of them, I call them Mom and Dad. It wasn´t always an easy task to calm Vanessa, because she worries a lot and cares for her family. But ultimately she was soothed and would let me go to school To get my mind off of things, I focused on studies. My classmates would ignore me like I was dead, I liked it that way to be honest. Still, another person would be more than alive. This person would be the Hottie from the soccer team. He would lean against my locker, when I got something from it and smirked at me. "Hi!", was all he said while I stared at h
Austin seemed to have caught himself again.On our way home, he was talkative again. He told me about his team, his friends, his family and his other hobbys.It was nice seeing him happy and smiling so brightly.Our whole day spent together were funny and the soccer guy is a good person.Eventhough I can't make friends, but Austin would be a good choice.My companion bumped into my site from time to time, that I almost believed he got dizzy."Are you ok? You're swaying.", I asked, trying to hide my worries."No, I'm good, thank you. Just thinking, I would like to hold your hand.""S-stop joking. We're not girlfriend and boyfriend." My blushing was definetly not hiden by turning away."Who says a couple has to be a boy and a girl. It's about love between two people, no matter who they are. Also, I don't have a problem with boys." He just looked at me, but I felt the shame showing on my face."Calm dow
"Hello?", he asked."Hey …". First I hesitated, but then I asked the redhair, ,,Did you just cry?"The other side of the phone stayed silent.For the first time my redhaired little friend stayed this silent and I got nervous."Gab ...""Don't worry Ash, nothing's wrong. ... You wanted to talk?"After hearing his sad try of an excuse and his voice cracking, I was really undecided between bawling my eyes out because Gab sounded horrible or being the cold asshole and pretend I hadn't noticed."Can we meet up in 10 Minutes? Do you know the playground near our school?" I didn't know if it was the right decision, but it was everything I could do in this situation.Finally he gave me a quiet ,,Ok." and I have to admit that I hurried to cancel the call and to get to this playground.Damn me and my weak heart.When I arrived, Gab already sat on one of the swings.Honestly I was a bit scared to a
“That day your parents, my son and daughter in law weren´t only murdered by The Honey Budgers … you were a witness of that day. And I´m afraid that the gang found out, that you were there and saw them.“What? That can´t be true. This is just too surreal.Grandma Nona wouldn´t just be telling me out of nowhere that the murders of my parents are now after me."Nona ..." Words failed me."Listen, my sweetiest, you have to be careful. I researched the case of your parents for years now, I thoroughly collected all evidence about this case to be able to protect you, when they searched for you. ... A few weeks ago, when I wasn´t at home, it was broken into my home. They didn steal anything, but they were interested in my notes of the case. They took some of them and also a picture of you when you were younger. Please, be careful. I will talk about this with the police how we can protect you.""You got robbe
The last few days were an emotional rollercoaster. First there was this call from my Nona, the fear of the murders coming after me and now the realisation that I had a crush on the hot soccerguy. To be honest, I didn't expect that I would have already been falling so hard for him. Of course he's good-looking and always being nice, but thats not enough reason to fall for someone, is it? ,,Whatever happend between you two, I think you should make up. He seems to be important to you." Vanessa proposed. ,,And don't worry about a home, you're always welcome at our home.", Jack was being nice. It was nice, that I would get a new family with 16 years of age. But would it all end like in a fairy tale? I'm quite pessimistic! ... Well, old habits won't die. Because, honestly all my past adoptive parents were nice and the first few times I was quite optimistic and believed in a future. Thats why it was that words had such an big i
Suddenly the door to the boys toilet opened and would show Austin standing in the doorway, looking surprised."What's going on here?"He looked at the situation, almost seemed like he tried to figure what happend with these guys and us."Dude, nice that you're here! Come here, we're having some fun with these weaklings! Do you want to mess with them too?", shouted the biggest guy, who was with Gabriel.Austin only exchanged a look with me, most likely to check if I'm ok, before he turned back to the guy."Daniel, what were you thinking to pick on people again?" Austins voice was menacing and ice cold. ,,The last time you messed with people, you promised me to stop this bullshit! Because I beat the shit out of you, have you forgotten that already?""Calm down, man! This tiny crybaby here is crying no matter what you do to him. And the other one walked in, so we had to keep him from telling on us. So it's no big deal."Austin grabbed Da
"And here I thought you wanted to talk about how you called me your crush.", I faked ignorance.Hot soccerguy choked on his own salvia."Uhm ... that was ... abou that ... I'm sorry." He stuttered so bad, he didn't know what he was saying."Don't worry, Austin, I just wanted to tease you a bit." I tried to reassure him."So, I can call you my crush?" With saying that, he seemed more confident."It's your choice who you fall for. What do I have to say how you feel about other people?"His smile in that moment could compete with a hot summerday."I really love you, Ash!" He looked like a child who got his favourite candy.While I didn't respond and just turned my head to hide my blush. Eventhough I was sure he saw it. Because he put his hand on my shoulder, turned me to face him and looked dead serious."You're blushing again. And I still don't know how your feeling about me."I felt like getting dragged into
Shortly after that, Austin and I were laying in my room.Luckily my new family wasn´t home tonight and were staying with some friends, or the sleepovers with Gab and Austin wouldn't have been possible.Austin was taking a shower right now and I switched through the TV channels to search for something good to watch."Thanks for letting me stay over and for the change of clothes ..."Austin stood in the doorway, looking funny but also sexy in my way too tiny top and shorts.My top was too short on him and showed his belly and therefore his packs.Sadly it was embarrissing for him, so he pulled the top down."Hahahaha, your way to big for my stuff!""Thats not funny! I can't do anything about it, that I'm taller than you." The shame set his face on fire. "Thats the biggest stuff you have?""Sorry, I didn't meant to be rude. I don't like it if my stuff is too big for me, so I don't have many wide shirts."He acc
The weekend arrived sooner than we expectet. Maybe that was because Austin and I had to focus on a new thing for both of us. Our relationship. The last few days I watched every soccertraining after school on the sidelines, we kissed in the storageroom, texted through all our classes and he practically moved into my room. So we didn't even recognised that our time was up. ,,Allright, that was the last box, finally. Say your goodbyes, son, and we can get going!", my dad Jack announced, closing the trunk.
,,Make yourself at home.", I said and gestured to my room. ,,Thank you for the invitation." Austin stepped in and looked around my room as if it were the first time he saw it. ,,It's not the first time you stayed over, what's impressing you so much?" Austin set his school bag next to my desk and took a seat on my bed, but still looking around my room. Is it just me, or is he feeling strangely comfortable already after the second time here?
,,Do you want to go out with me?" I knew for a while now, that Austin would ask me that. For the month I started at this school, I could see that he would ask me eventually. And I did my best to avoid this situation all this time. Actually for as long as I can remember I ran away from this question and to face this now, not knowing what it would lead to in the end, was scaring. So before I took the jump, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes ... let's try that." Austin hugged me tight, not letting go of my hand and I could feel his bright grin against my shoulder. "You finally said yes! Don't be scared, we can overcome every challenge life will give us. I'm so glad to be able to be together with you, I promise I won't hurt you, honey." The nickname made me shiver a bit, but it wasn't all that bad. "Your overreacting. I'm your boyfriend because I trust you and believe in you, but I will ne
,,So, ... it's not a date? I guess, I never asked you officially on a date. So ... want to make this our second date?" It was noticeable that he avoided eye contact, which was unusual for him. That I wanted to talk about something must have totally put him on edge. ,,You know, I don't get you. You seem to be interested in me, you went on the first date with me, but rejected me when I asked you out or when we talk about feelings at all. And on the other hand you're sometimes so seductive, like being all cute and vulnerable and all. After the bathroom incident, I understood that you had some seperation anxiety, because of your bad experiences. That time I just hoped that we could stay friends, because I really want to stay in contact. When you said that you had something to say, I feared it was a rejection of some kind again. And then you start with asking me for a date? What's all that supposed to mean? I don't understand anything anymore." Austin looked
"What happend yesterday after we left?""Nothing big. He just walked me home and we talked. Jonathan is such a nice guy.""Oh? Nice guy, huh? So Gab DOES like him too. Hopefully it all will end well.", was what I thought when I read his answer."Nice guy? In what sense?"Gab blushed a bit when he read my note and played with his fingers flusterd."Nothing, just he was so worried about me when I woke up in the nurses office. Jonathan and Jacob always went easy on me. I was just happy that they apollogized and trying to make it up to me."Well, that was a good response. Hopefully he won't get his hopes up too high.I honestly don't want him to get a heartbreak from his bully."Ok buddy, but don't get your hopes up too high. Don't jump into something without thinking it through and talking the whole bully situation out, please."When he read the note, he looked over to me, nodded and smiled slightly.Gab wrote one la
Shortly after that, Austin and I were laying in my room.Luckily my new family wasn´t home tonight and were staying with some friends, or the sleepovers with Gab and Austin wouldn't have been possible.Austin was taking a shower right now and I switched through the TV channels to search for something good to watch."Thanks for letting me stay over and for the change of clothes ..."Austin stood in the doorway, looking funny but also sexy in my way too tiny top and shorts.My top was too short on him and showed his belly and therefore his packs.Sadly it was embarrissing for him, so he pulled the top down."Hahahaha, your way to big for my stuff!""Thats not funny! I can't do anything about it, that I'm taller than you." The shame set his face on fire. "Thats the biggest stuff you have?""Sorry, I didn't meant to be rude. I don't like it if my stuff is too big for me, so I don't have many wide shirts."He acc
"And here I thought you wanted to talk about how you called me your crush.", I faked ignorance.Hot soccerguy choked on his own salvia."Uhm ... that was ... abou that ... I'm sorry." He stuttered so bad, he didn't know what he was saying."Don't worry, Austin, I just wanted to tease you a bit." I tried to reassure him."So, I can call you my crush?" With saying that, he seemed more confident."It's your choice who you fall for. What do I have to say how you feel about other people?"His smile in that moment could compete with a hot summerday."I really love you, Ash!" He looked like a child who got his favourite candy.While I didn't respond and just turned my head to hide my blush. Eventhough I was sure he saw it. Because he put his hand on my shoulder, turned me to face him and looked dead serious."You're blushing again. And I still don't know how your feeling about me."I felt like getting dragged into
Suddenly the door to the boys toilet opened and would show Austin standing in the doorway, looking surprised."What's going on here?"He looked at the situation, almost seemed like he tried to figure what happend with these guys and us."Dude, nice that you're here! Come here, we're having some fun with these weaklings! Do you want to mess with them too?", shouted the biggest guy, who was with Gabriel.Austin only exchanged a look with me, most likely to check if I'm ok, before he turned back to the guy."Daniel, what were you thinking to pick on people again?" Austins voice was menacing and ice cold. ,,The last time you messed with people, you promised me to stop this bullshit! Because I beat the shit out of you, have you forgotten that already?""Calm down, man! This tiny crybaby here is crying no matter what you do to him. And the other one walked in, so we had to keep him from telling on us. So it's no big deal."Austin grabbed Da
The last few days were an emotional rollercoaster. First there was this call from my Nona, the fear of the murders coming after me and now the realisation that I had a crush on the hot soccerguy. To be honest, I didn't expect that I would have already been falling so hard for him. Of course he's good-looking and always being nice, but thats not enough reason to fall for someone, is it? ,,Whatever happend between you two, I think you should make up. He seems to be important to you." Vanessa proposed. ,,And don't worry about a home, you're always welcome at our home.", Jack was being nice. It was nice, that I would get a new family with 16 years of age. But would it all end like in a fairy tale? I'm quite pessimistic! ... Well, old habits won't die. Because, honestly all my past adoptive parents were nice and the first few times I was quite optimistic and believed in a future. Thats why it was that words had such an big i