*Ashton's POV*

We all are sitting in Allison's house. After the school finished, we decided it was best to meet here so I can explain everything to them.

Allison and I came to the conclusion that I can call her by her real name but of course when we are alone and if I manage to not slip up.

The boys including Nick, know everything about Adam. Mia knows bits and pieces, but not the whole truth.

Allison, Mia and Violet are in the kitchen, making something to eat. This gives me a little time, to decide on what all I'm going to tell them.

The boys are talking among themselves about the upcoming football tryouts. I'm not contributing in the conversation much which doesn't go unnoticed by Aaron. Aaron's been my best friend since I can remember. He knows me like back of his hand and vice versa.

"What's wrong Ash?", he asks me. I let out a sigh and turn to face him.

"Nothing. I don't know how they'll react when I tell them about Adam". I trust Aaron more than anyone. He's been there for me when no one else was.

"Or just how Lydia will react?", he asks with a knowing smile. I roll my eyes and look at the boys. Thankfully, they weren't paying attention to us. I discreetly nod which makes him smile more.

"Don't worry. I'm sure she'll understand", he says while squeezing my shoulder in reassurance.

The girls finally come out of the kitchen with plates for everyone. They set them on table and Mason, Nick, Blake and Jason grab the plates with pasta in it and start hogging it like pigs.

Allison looks over at me and I tap the empty place beside me, telling her to sit with me. She nods and takes the seat beside causing the other two girls to smile in our direction and Blake to narrow his eyes.

I too start eating and it's so delicious. It's been a while since I ate something so tasty. I am reminded of my mother and how much she would have loved to meet my friends and Allison.

Talking about Allison, I feel something for her. It's a foreign emotion. I've dated a lot of girls but none of them ever made me feel something like this, and we aren't even dating... yet. When she told me the truth, I was shocked but impressed as to how much this girl has suffered but there's always a smile on her face. You would never see her being depressed about the things happening in her life. In the small amount of time, I know that she is one of the strongest person I have known. It's not easy to be the one to see your parents dead body on the floor. This quality of hers, draws me to her.

I'm suddenly brought back to reality, when Aaron slaps my back quite hard.

"What the fuck man?!"

"You spaced out. I just brought you back to reality", he says while putting his arm around Mia who looks smug for some reason. I turn towards Allison, to see her eyeing me with concern. I just chuckle.

"So can we start?", Allison asks. I sigh and face the others who look at me expectantly.

"Adam Williams is my step brother. My mother died in a car accident when I was seven. My good for nothing father never really cared for either of us. We already knew he had a son with another women. He remarried just a few months later to Hannah Miller, who had a son of my age. We both grew up hating each other. My father never was home and doing god knows what. Adam's mom cared for me but Adam always gave me the stink eye. We never were close.

My dad was involved in drugs and alcohol. He turned abusive towards Hannah. He tried to hurt me and Adam, but Hannah always stopped him. She too had enough of him and left him. After she left, he turned towards us to take his frustration out.

That asshole is now in jail, because he was caught selling drugs.

After I turned sixteen, I left that house and never looked back", I finish and look at Allison. She had tears in her eyes and so did Mia and Violet. The boys already knew about this but still looked quite shaken.

I was caught off guard when Allison hugged me tight. I could feel her tears falling on my T-shirt. I hugged her back while pating her back soothingly. Mia too comes and hugs me well us and soon enough it's a group hug.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this Ashton", Allison says with concern but not pity. She knows, of all the people that pity is last thing I want.

I didn't know how to react. I am not used to the feeling of being cared for so I just nodded at her and held her hand in mine not caring that everyone is still sitting around us.

"Ashton, can we all come to your match this time, please?", Mason asks me while I freeze. This idiot doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

"What match? The games are yet to start", Allison says, confusion clear as a day in her a eyes.

Blake slaps Mason's shoulder roughly.

"What?! I thought it was confession time for Ash so he will tell this as well", he says, defending himself.

"What is he talking about Ashton?", Allison asks me sternly. I sigh for the hundredth time.

"I race illegally for money", I answer and she gasps loudly.

"Race?"

"Yeah. You know with cars.. ", I'm cut off by her hitting my arm.

"I know what a race is".

"Good", I say while teasing her further. She just rolls her eyes and turns to me with a determined look. My eyes narrow at her and I already know what's coming next. So before she could even speak, I answer her.

"Nope. Not happening Lydia".

"But you didn't even hear me out", she complains and I just find it amusing but cover it up with a poker face.

"You wanna come for the race, don't you?", I ask her knowingly.

"Yep. Please let me come with you. I will stay with the guys, I swear", she says while giving me the puppy eyes.

"I said no, Lydia".

"Ashton, it's not a bad idea. We'll stay with her all the time", Blake says cautiously.

"Yeah he's right. We'll be with the girls", Aaron adds while looking at the three girls who are looking at me while batting their eyelashes.

"Fine. But if you leave their side, you are dead", I say while pointing a finger at Allison.

"I won't, promise", she says while locking her pinky with mine. I just laugh at her antics.

"Lydia, I'm hungry", Mason says making all of us laugh. Trust him to be hungry after eating pasta merely two hours ago.

Allison gets up and hands him the phone and tells him to order something as she's too lazy to cook anything.

Everyone talks among themselves while Allison puts her head on my shoulder and talks to Violet about an upcoming chemistry test.

I don't mean to come out sappy, but this is just perfect. It's like, she belongs here, by my side.

I know, it's been only a few weeks since we met, but I can feel that this girl is going to be an important part of my life.

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A/N

What do you think about Ashton's past?

Ashton's falling in love... Or is it just a crush?

Does Allison feel the same way? We'll find out soon.

Do tap that little star.

Love you guys!