"It all started before I was even born." Ashton murmurs against my neck. I have an arm wrapped around his and I silently listen to him. "Did you wonder how come I look at lot like dad, I mean Chris, if my parents are both gay?"
I crane my head. "I didn't want to be the judgmental one here but yeah, there was this one, I mistook him for you. So-you know, I was a bit-Uh, confided?" I say, recalling the day in Uganda when I ran into Mr. Fellan-the other Mr. Fellan. I had mistaken him as Ashton. "Was it normal, or am I the only one-"
Ashton shakes his head. "No it's not," he says.
"But how is that possible?" I mean unless Mr. Fellan had an affair with a girl previously.
Ashton seems to read my mind as he chuckles. "No, it's not that bad as you're thinking, you'll understand it all once you hear my full story."
"Okay," I say, and look down. There's a small smile playing in the corner of his lips. But it all dies soon when he says, "I was my biological parents' bastard. Beth, and Henry- their names, if I'm not wrong." He pauses and inhales a deep breath. I guess it's a very touchy topic for him. Yet, he decided to tell me about all of it.
"They were both in college when they met and hooked up and I popped out of nowhere. The woman who gave me birth left me at my grandparents, paternal grandparents, doorstep the day she was discharged from the hospital after giving my birth. No one saw her again after that one. The man who had half of the contribution to my existence refused to raise me. So my grandparents took me under their wings. That was a year before that fucker died on a road accident, probably intoxicated while driving. I never got to learn much about any of them," he pauses.
"My grandpa died in the same year from heart failure and I was left alone with my grandma. She was my world, my everything. But I wasn't built for deserving good."
I gasp and turn to look at him. But Ashton forces me back to my place and nuzzles his head against my neck. "My grandma died when I was four. I had no one left, I didn't know anyone from my mother's family. That was when my grandparents' other son stepped into my life. It was Dad."
My eyes widen in realization. It all makes sense now.
"Yes, we look a lot alike, sometimes people mistake me as his own son," he says. "And he and papa did treat me like one. Dad was eight years older than his brother and took over grandpa's business after he graduated from college. When he took me in, he was in a ten-year relationship with papa, they welcomed me in their family instantly. They adopted me in a few months. I was happy with them. I was loved, I was cared for. For the first time in my life, I finally had my own parents and I couldn't be prouder."
His lips stretch into a smile as he continues, "They adopted Riley when I was ten. Her parents didn't want to keep her and put her for adoption before she was born. And got married as soon as the same-sex marriage law came out, kinda like modern family."
We laugh. "Yes, we have the best family I could imagine, everything was like a dream. But it wasn't the same in the school," he pauses. "Kids in my school knew about our family and so they made it an excuse to bully me. We lived on the upper side of New York and you can imagine how some rich people raise their kids," he says.
I take his hand in mine and squeeze it, no wonder he doesn't miss New York.
"My life in New York went like that," he says. "Most teachers didn't take my family situation nicely and that encouraged my classmates to bully me more. No one wanted to be my friend. I was that lonely boy every school-based book has. My classmates wouldn't cooperate with me when I signed up for the football team in the team school, the coach also did nothing about it. They wouldn't let me play in the field and hardly invited me to practice with them. With not many choices left, Dad then hired a private coach for me so I can continue practicing football at home."
So this is the story behind Ashton's private football coach-and everyone thought it was just another rich-people-bragging-about-their-money story.
"High school was a bit different, the coach of the football team actually liked the way I played and made me the quarterback and the captain when I was still a freshman. Eventually, everyone on the team started envying me. My classmates started hating me more than ever," he turns to me. "Remember I told you why I was expelled from my old school?"
I nod. "It was after one of the matches of junior year. I scored the most points in that match. Everyone praised me after the game. Even the coach on the opposing team came to congratulate me."
I'm not surprised to hear that one. Anyone who saw Ashton playing can tell he has the potential of playing football in him.
"And of course my teammates were more furious than ever. So when I went back to the locker room, they made a few comments on me. I tried to brush them off. That's when that boy said something really bad about my parents. It got on my nerves and before I could tell, I punched him. I swear I didn't mean to be harsh, but I let my emotions get the best of me."
"What did he say?" I ask him.
Ashton pulls back from me. "I'm sorry but I can't, I don't wanna recall that day ever again," he fidgets with his fingers in his lap. "So when we moved here, dad suggested that it would be best if we kept them a secret from my schoolmates and teachers. Only Principal Samatha and few teachers know about them and had promised to keep it a secret. We did the same with Riley's school," he says. "It was the best thing that happened in my life ever and I was so happy."
"And you don't want to ruin it?" I ask him.
Ashton nods. "I fear if people start to know about my parents, life will be back the way it was in New York. And I don't want to go back to that life ever again. That's what my greatest secret is."
"How about Riley? Did she never question why the identity of her parents has to remain a secret?"
"Riley's smart for her age, she understands it's importance. Only her best friend and her family know my parents."
He continues, "It's not like I hate my family. I love them more than anything else in the world, and that's why I want to protect it from everything else out there."
I nod understanding where he is coming from. I might've done the same if I was in his place. Family over everything. Even if that means lying to your other dear ones. I tightened my grip on his hand and squeeze it. He squeezes back.
"Do Nyako and Owen know?"
Ashton nods. "I introduced them to my family once we became friends. They are pretty cool about it and so is their family."
"You're lucky to have friends like them."
He nods. "But I'm not lucky enough for them. I'm jinxed. Good things aren't meant for me."
"That's not true and you know that," I cup his cheeks in my palm. "Ashton, look at me."
He does as he is told. His hot breaths collapse against my palm, a blush rises on my cheeks but I ignore it for the moment. He looks so vulnerable right now. "You are not jinxed. Who even told you that crap?"
His eyes glint as he chokes a cry. "Don't you see? You got mixed up with me and look where it is-"
"No you didn't do anything," I cut him. "It's my fault I've been blind all these years."
"But all you-"
"I thought we already talked about it. I was wrong the whole time."
Ashton blinks, twice. "You really meant what you said earlier?"
"Of course," I roll my eyes. "Did I really consider a bunch of rules and good luck charms could save everyone's life?"
Ashton looks at me weirdly. "You took my words seriously, didn't you?"
"Give me a reason not to," I raise a brow.
"I'll only drag you down."
"Let me decide myself."
"You look hot when you're bossy." I blush at it and hit him on the shoulder. Ashton lets out a small chuckle.
But it dies soon as his eyes darken. "Shit!" He groans and pulls his messy hair. "They're still out there making plans for ruining who-knows-whose life and here we are, chilling-we need to find them out soon before it's too late."
I smile. "I don't think we need to, not anymore."
"Why? You can't possibly find who they-" Ashton notices the smug look on my face. "Oh, you did."
"Yes," I nod. "And I gotta plan too."
Ashton takes his sweet time to process it. Then a smile spreads on his face. "Did I mention how much I love you?"
My heart squeezes and my inner fangirl screams, 'He said he loves me?'
Okay, it must be nothing, he might not have meant it that way. And he did say it so casually. So I try to sound nonchalant, a bit bold too, when I say, "You just did."
His eyes glint and I think mine are doing the same. An eternity passes as we keep staring at each. "I can really kiss you right now," he mutters.
I feel my stomach wrench. "Then why haven't you?" I manage to say out loud. Ashton freezes.
He looks into my eyes and I nod. I'm not sure where the confidence is coming from all of a sudden. Ashton is quick in action. He wraps an arm around me and makes me sit on his lap. I don't find myself complaining. I run a hand in his hair and sigh, feeling the thick layer of his hair. They're so soft and smooth. I've wanted to do this since forever.
"Remember the day we first met?" He asks.
I groan. "You talk too much. Just kiss me already."
Ashton hesitates. "Are you sure about it? I mean we know each other for a while but are you sure you want this? I don't wanna rush things between us."
"Afraid, are we Fellan?" I snort. "And it's not like you're about to kiss virgin lips."
He laughs humorlessly. "Let's just not speak of him again," he whispers and leans closer to my face.
I close my eyes and feel his breath against my face.
His lips are merely friction away from mine. I feel his lips teasing mine.
Just as they were about to meet together, the door flies open, revealing a very enthusiastic Mr. Fellan-Ezra.
Ashton groans. I try to jump out of his lap but our legs get twisted, causing me to fall on the carpet on my face.
"Couldn't decide a better time to brag, could you papa?" Ashton mumbles under his breath as he helps me to get up from the floor.
Ezra glances between the two of us before offering us the tray he's holding. "Hot chocolate and cookies anyone?"
ð¸
Cant believe it took them 59 chapters to write this scene. But trust me, I was waiting for this moment from chapter 3. Any shipname suggestion for our lovebirds here? #kiaton and #kashton are topping the list right now, better hurry with your own one.