Teenage challenge
Ashton tried to catch his breath by sitting on the couch.
"Shit," he said, sighing. Nicky brought him a bottle of water, which he finished in an instant. When he looked up again, all the boys were standing in front of him, staring at him.
Aaron was analysing him with wide eyes and Andrew seemed angry, Ash became much more nervous and forgot what he had planned to say.
"Sorry," he repeated, looking at his hands, while his leg bounced. Was his family disappointed? He hadn't been with them even two months and he had already screwed up.
-Where were you?-Andrew asked. "Are you having sex?" Aaron asked at the same time.
-What?...I...What?- Ash was completely bewildered.
- Aaron, shut up! - Andrew said seriously. - Where were you?
-I.... I'm sorry.
-You already said that.- Ashton started biting his nails.
- I just didn't want to be at school. I didn't want to come home so late. I didn't mean to worry you.
- If you felt bad you should have told us, we would have understood. Let me know next time.- Ash couldn't hide his surprise.- Even so, that doesn't answer my question. Where were you?
- With some friends, we lost track of time.
-Are you hurt?
- No.
- Fine, don't do it again.
Ash sighed and nodded.
- But seriously now, are you sexually active? Do we need to give you a talk? How much do you know about safe sex?.
Ashton cringed.
- You see, he is ok. He is just like you, skipping school, being a troublemaker, Minyard to the core. Let him have fun. - Nicky said.- So Ashton, do you have a partner?
- You're just making him uncomfortable. Besides, that's not important, you should focus on school and your future.- Kevin interrupted.
-Shup Kevin!- everyone shouted in unison. Ash couldn't help but laugh.
—
Once everything was clarified, they ordered Chinese food and sat on the couch. Ashton was relieved that the drugs had completely worn off. He did not yet know the opinion his brothers had of marijuana. Even if it was legal, Ashton was still a minor.
Although he had been living with his family for some time, he felt that he did not know them well enough. Ash was aware that he needed to get to know people more intimately so that he would truly care about them. Their likes, their mannerisms and the people around them.
"This weekend Katelyn will come to lunch," Aaron announced. Silence reigned for a few moments until Nicky said, "So we're all okay with that? There are no problems?” - Nicky looked at Andrew, like the rest of the boys. When he didn't say anything, he seemed to ignore the conversation completely. - Cool.
- I want you to meet her, Ashton.
- Sure.- Ash smiled at him.
This would be a closer approach to his brother. He knew that Aaron was very in love with her girlfriend or so Nicky said, her brother had not made many comments about her. Ash wondered how Aaron would act in front of her. Would he be softer? More attentive?
Nicky always talks about Erik and his future life in Germany, and Ash listens always. Andrew had not commented on his romantic life so he assumed that he did not have a partner.
—
Ashton lay down in bed after dinner. He took his cell phone and turned on his music, not too loud because he knew that the rest of the apartment had to get up early tomorrow.
Just as he was falling asleep his phone started ringing. Unknown number, Ashton hung up instinctively, he never took calls from someone unknown. It was probably propaganda. But as soon as he hung up, the number called again. Ash repeated the previous action and considered blocking the phone number, but it rang again. Who the hell was calling at this hour?
Outraged, he chose to take the call.
-Ash, ash? Are you safe? - There was no doubt who that voice belonged to.
- Dad??