The bad boy and the broken girl

Chapter 1 - Stupid or Suicidal?

Ashton POV

I sat bolt upright, my body covered in sweat and gulped in large breaths of air. Running a hand through my hair I flipped on the bedside lamp. My hand unconsciously rubbed against my lower stomach before I realise what i was doing and got out of bed. Glancing at the time I saw it was 4:30 in the morning and I had school today, but there was no way I was getting any sleep. I had a shower and felt slightly better once I was no longer coated in a layer of sweat, I would probably have to change the sheets. I threw on some lounge pants and a tank top before heading downstairs, making sure not to wake my aunt. Once I was downstairs I flipped on the television and immersed myself in crappy early morning TV until my aunt came down. She looked from me to the tv before heading into the kitchen to make coffee.

'Couldn't sleep?' She asked softly and I make a soft noise of acknowledgment.

'How long you been up?'

'Since 4:30.' I reply, my voice soft and she nods, saying no more. I am enormously grateful to my aunt, not just for taking me in, but for not ever pushing me to say more than I want. The only time she did was about 2 years ago when I seriously went off the deep end and she contacted a psychologist. I knew she only did it to help and she never forced me to keep going after I got better though I occasionally drop in and talk to Dr Fitz, he was a good guy and helped me a lot. I quickly switched off the TV and walked through to the kitchen, seating myself at the island as my aunt sets a cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal in front of me. Once I'm done with breakfast I quickly run upstairs and change for school, which basically constitutes exchanging the lounge pants for jeans and throwing a cardigan over the tank top. I shoot my aunt a smile as i head out and she smiles softly back, wishing me a good day at school.

.....................................................

As I pull into the parking lot I notice that not many other people are here yet. Avoiding eye contact with the few people that are I head through the corridors to my locker. I start to panic when I realise someone is leaning against my locker but relax when I recognise it as my one and only friend Kallie.

'Hey, you're here early.' I say to her softly as she moves and I shove a few books in my locker.

'Yeah, my dad is away and mum needed to get to an appointment so dropped me off early.' I nod my acknowledgement and turn to fully face her.

'You look like crap.' She suddenly says bluntly and I shoot her a look.

'Couldn't sleep.' She smiles sympathetically. She knows basically everything, though not in detail, she'd probably run screaming in the other direction. There are more and more people filing into school now and the hallway is filled with loud chatting. So when it goes silent I frown and look over my shoulder to find a familiar group of boys walking down the hall. Cade and his minions are all wearing jeans and a leather jacket of some kind. I have to say I'm surprised they are here for the first bell on a Monday morning, they normally miss at least first and second period. A jock suddenly bursts through the gathered people and approaches the boys.

'You fucker.' He spits and everyone tenses up. Cade and his friends don't really mix, and when they do, it's normally to beat up a guy who pissed them off, or to have sex with one of the blonde bimbos in the store cupboard. Calling Cade a fucker is a sure fire way to get your ass kicked. His friends are scary but Cade has a death glare that rivals almost anyones and he can fight well. He walks around with a permanent pissed off, blank look and only really talks and occasionally smiles with his friends.

'Excuse me?' Cade asks and the jock comes to a halt a few metres away from him. They are now stood facing each other except the jock is alone and Cade has four equally terrifying friends. Did I mention they are facing off right in front of me? I lean back against my locker, not to watch the show but because a crowd has gathered and I can't get away.

'You slept with my girlfriend?' The jock asks and Cade chuckles humourlessly.

'That a question or an accusation?' His voice is bored and it only pisses the guy off more.

'Did you sleep with her?' Cade cocks his head and there is a beat before he replies.

'Honestly? No idea. I sleep with so many they kind of blur together, but if I did sleep with your skank of a girlfriend, she's cheer captain right?, then she probably wasn't that good or I would remember.' The jock is red in the face and he growls before lunging forward. Cade easily ducks the fist before pushing the guy away with two hands. Unfortunately he shoves him in my direction and with enough force that the guy staggers back and barges into me, also elbowing me in the stomach in the process. I hiss out a breath at the brief sharp pain and the jock steps away from me. Everyone is now still, wondering what's going to happen. Kallie is still beside me but glaring at the jock who looks slightly apologetic. I look up at Cade and he is staring right at me, his eyes narrowed but not saying anything. I take a breath and stand up straight.

'If you're going to have a fight, fine, but do it elsewhere so bystanders don't get elbowed in the stomach.' I snap. Cade raises his eyebrows and his friends all look at him with small smirks on their faces before they shoot me dark looks. Everyone draws in a breath and I can hear Kallie muttering curses in my direction but I ignore her as Cade stares me down.

'You know who I am right?' He asks and I scoff slightly.

'Yeah, I got elbowed in the stomach, not the eyes. I can see who you are.' His eyes flash briefly but I ignore him before I turn to the jock who is staring at me like I'm crazy.

'And you. Ever consider just asking your girlfriend what happened. Takes two to tango. If she cheated on you, it's probably because you're an asshole who likes to start fights and elbow innocent girls.' The guy's mouth is hanging open and honestly I have no idea where this is coming from. I normally just avoid everyone to avoid conflicts like these. I promised myself after what happened that I wouldn't let anyone walk over me but this is suicidal. I quickly clear my throat, grab Kallie's arm and drag her through the crowd, that parts for us. But as I walk away I can feel a pair of eyes burning into my back. As soon as we are far enough away I release Kallie's arm and the breath I was holding. Out of the corner of my eye I can see my friend staring at me and I mentally count down, waiting for the out burst. 3....2....1....

'Are you crazy girl? I know you didn't get much sleep but you've still got to engage your brain.' I roll my eyes and look at her.

'What, they pissed me off.'

'Yeah, I got that. But sassing Cade, are you stupid or suicidal.... or both?' I ignore her and stop by the door to my first class.

'I'll see you at lunch.' We have no morning lessons together but all our afternoon ones together, including gym. Before Kallie can comment on my mental state again I walk into the classroom and settle into a chair at the back of the class.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you like it guys. Please let me know what you think. I'll try and update every two days once I have uploaded these first few chapters which are already written.