Australia - An Ashton Irwin fanfic

Chapter 2

During dinner, they asked me loads of questions, which was unusual to me. Most being about my parents and what they did. They seemed fascinated at the fact of my parents career's because surprisingly, they knew about Hillview Hospital and their treatments. I had no idea how, but they did. They also asked what I did for hobbies and I tried to think of something cool and interesting but I couldn't, so I was honest and said 'books.'

After dinner, I was dead tired each night, so I headed up to bed right after and passed straight out.

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"Juliette? It's time to get up, darling." Mary-Lynn was softly knocking on my door. I could tell she didn't want to come across as annoying, but I didn't mind. 

"Alright, thank you!" I said, trying to sound awake, but I was still tired as hell. 

I trudged along, dragging my feet as I made my way to the walk-in closet. I flicked the switch and the brightness of the light blinded me temporarily, but within a few minutes I adjusted. I picked out a pair of white shorts, and a nice white tank top with small, light blue flowers spread throughout it, with a green, short sleeved cardigan,  just so I wasn't too showy with anything. As I headed towards the door to join Mary-Lynn and Cas, I slipped on my white, Audrey slip-on Sperry's and glanced in the full-body length mirror to see if my hair needed any fixings. The good thing about my hair was that I didn't get bedhead so I rarely had to worry if it looked bad. I never took an interest in makeup because all my friends said I looked better without it. I never knew whether to take that as a compliment or a insult. Did I look like a clownish whore with makeup, or was I just naturally pretty? I could never tell only because I didn't know how to makeup on to begin with, so I was fine with staying away from it.

After breakfast, which was just some eggs and bacon with some toast, I headed over to Caleb's new family's house since the abroad kids had to get their schedules and have an introduction meeting an hour before school even started. His house was thankfully, only a couple blocks away, so in a way, I was able to get a look around at my new surroundings.

As I reached the address Caleb had texted me, and before I could knock twice, a woman with long, chestnut brown hair with a petite frame opened the door.

"Hello! Hello! Please come in! You must be Caleb's friend! I'm Jane," I smiled as she gestured for me to come in. When I entered the kitchen, Caleb was sitting at the dining table eating some Cheerios with a woman sitting across from him. His dirty blond hair, all tossled from his shower. As I approached, he looked up and smiled.

"Hey Jules," he said with his mouth full. Jane came in from behind me and walked over to the other woman as she turned around from her chair to face me and smile warmly at me. Her strawberry blond hair cut to a bob. 

"This is my partner, Dani," Jane introduced. I reached my hand out to shake Dani's for politeness. 

"Alright, ladies. I'm off to school. Try not to miss me too much." Caleb grinned as he stood up and slung his backpack on and joined me in the kitchen doorway. 

"Well I'll just drive you. That way the bus ride isn't awkward and you guys can just take it to go home," Dani offered. Caleb and I looked at each other and shrugged in agreement.

When we got to the high school, we were ordered to go to the auditorium to recieve our schedules along with the other kids that were on the trip. We got a speech from the principal telling us "oh what a pleasure it is to have you here with us here in Crestwood High School; home of the Wallabies!" He was a short, bald man, and he was as cheery as a bird with a worm. He seemed very welcoming to the fact that so many strangers were about to enter his school, but he made a good impression on me and Caleb and that's all the mattered I guess.

The secretaries handed us our schedules and Caleb and I automatically compared them. 

First period: Ancient History

Second period: Creative writing

Third period: Biology

Fourth period: Directed Study

Fifth period: Junior Literature/Lunch (1st)

Sixth period: Music Workshop

Seventh period: Algebra 2

The only class we had together was third period which was Biology but before Caleb and I could converse any more, the homeroom bell rang. I ended up getting lost, but eventually made my way to the third floor to my homeroom and found an empty seat by the door. The teacher got us situated and treated me like I was another form of life, making sure to speak to me very slowly.

"Are you sure you are okay?" she implied and I nodded and said yes. God, this was going to be a long year.

Second period came and the desks paired in two's and were situated in four rows and three columns. I made my way to the last row, and chose the desk by the window out of the two and watched the students file in slowly in between the 3 minutes we had to get to class. I read John Green's A Fault in Our Stars as I waited for the class to start. As I read I heard laughter coming through the doorway. I couldn't help but look up to the sound as a boy walked in. Wearing a slim-fit black shirt with the Batman logo splattered all around; dark blue skinny jeans, rolled up at the ankles and a pair of Vans, he stood by the doorway laughing with his friends. His laugh was as if he was gasping for breath each second, you couldn't help but think it was adorable.

He looked like a juinor or senior. His light brown, semi-wavy, semi-curly tussled hair covering of his forehead, luckily not covering his greenish, hazel eyes. They were aboslutely beautiful. He was about six feet tall, skinny, but not lanky. He had some toning in his arms. I had to admit, he was pretty hot and I don't say that about many people. Zac Efron being one of the only acceptions.

He walked in and smiled at his friends one last time before walking fully into the class and taking a look around. It wasn't until he looked at me, that I realized I was staring. Shit I thought and returned to my book. I smiled as I read the part where Augustus and her are "drinking the stars" on their date in Amsterdam. I was too engaged to notice that Mr. Toned Arms was sitting at the desk paired with mine.

I didn't want to show him the shock I had that he chose the seat next to me, so I kept my eyes on my book. 

"Hello, babe." I tried to resist, but I looked up at the smiling figure next to me, who had their hand out.

"Hi," I said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I took his hand and shook it softly, too shy to look him in the eye.

"Are you part of the exchange student program?" he asked. He clearly wasn't a shy guy.

"Um, yeah. How'd you guess?" I said still looking away from him. I think I focused on one of the batman logos.

"Your accent, babe. Clearly American," he chuckled.

"Oh, right," I gathered enough courage to laugh, but at myself. I was making a fool out of myself. Damn it, why was I feeling so shy now? Now of all times? I've been around plently of boys before that weren't Caleb. It was probably the accent. Damn those accents!

"So what's your name, miss America?" He asked leaning his side against the chair, propping himself up with his arm. Oh god, his arm; tanned and toned.

It took me a second to get it out. I'm sure he could feel how uncomfortable I was and I could tell he thought it was hilarious by the look of his crooked smile. "Um.... It's uh. Ju-Juliette. Juliette St. Cloud." Damn it, Jules, get your act together! It's just a boy for Christ's sake.

"Ah, that's a beautiful name," he smiled, cheekily.

"And yours?" I asked, hesitantly. Did I want to know this cute boy's name that would probably lower my grade in this class? I certainly did.

"Ashton. Ashton Irwin."