Ashton gets up and immediatly feels a pain on his back from the shitty mattress, that had a new blanket (that Ashton didn't know how it got there). Still, it was better than the rock-hard bed he slept in back in the Outlands, it was made with sticks and random blankets they found. His bed was always better than the other's and of course, he got confused about it when he was a child but when he grew up he finally realised - he was supposed to be basically a king when he grew up so they wanted him to have the best out of all. He thought it was unfair but they always had told him he deserved it (even if he hadn't done anything for it).

He got out of the bed and noticed the clothes hanging outside the wardrobe. They seemed new and fresh, it's like it had been taken out of some good closet. He knows Andrew wouldn't have done it, he hated Outsiders with all his heart. Ashton smiled as soon as he saw the signature in messy handwriting, feeling his heart warm.

Dear Ashton,

I'm sorry that I snuck in here while you were sleeping but I wanted to check in on you. You seemed cold so I brought a few blankets (they're in your wardrobe). Also, I got this clothes for you! It's my welcome gift :) there are also some towels in the bathroom in case you want to take a shower (not that you smell bad, but people like to take showers, i think)

I can't wait for our first lesson x

-Luke Hemmings

Ashton put the note inside one of the drawers and looked at the clothes. It was a dark-red button up shirt along with jeans and boots. He smiled at the kind gesture and stepped into the shower. When he got out and got dressed there was a knock on his door, revealing a guard behind it.

The guard was giving him a stern yet frightened look, it's like he was scared of Ashton but didn't want to show his weak side. Ashton scoffed at the man and looked at the paper bag he was carrying, narrowing his eyebrows. Was this some kind of joke where they gave him an empty bag and hoped that Ashton would look heartbroken? Because he doesn't care.

"The king has sent this food for you." the guard said, giving Ashton the food "Have a good day." and with that he walked away.

Ashton closed the door and looked inside the bag, feeling surprised when it wasn't just bread and water. There were cupcakes and a pack with orange juice. He appreciated that and felt the need to thank Andrew but he couldn't be that nice to him or even think those things. Ashton sat down at the table in the corner of the room and put the food in there, beginning to eat.

***

"But dad, why can't he eat with us?" Luke asked for the hundreth time while they were sitting at the table for breakfast.

He heard his father scoff and his mother sighing, his brothers were giving him looks to shut up but he just couldn't stop. Luke looked down and pouted, he just wanted Ashton to feel welcome. The fact that he had to eat alone on that poor cabin made Luke feel sad, he had to do something so he got up at five in the morning just to get some clothes for Ashton.

He hadn't stopped asking Andrew why Ashton couldn't eat with them or with the maids rather than alone. Andrew thought it was like having a little kid all over again, he doesn't stop asking the same questions. Luke looked at his parents with a pout and played with his food, feeling a hard feeling on his stomach because he didn't want Ashton eating alone. He can't imagine what it feels like to be excluded.

"We don't know his behaviour, Luke." Andrew says "He may look nice but he could jump on you and attack you in seconds and-"

"He's not an animal!" Luke argues "Ashton is a person just like us and if you think his behaviour is bad then you're not going to make it better by making him feel sad and excluded." Luke got up from the table "I'm finished."

Luke walked up to his room, feeling slightly angry. He knows his father is a good man but sometimes he can be really immature and Luke hates it with a passion. He layed in his bed and looked at the ceileing, shutting his eyes slowly.

***

A few hours later Ashton was sitting outside, not far from the cabin he had slept in. He was throwing some rocks at a three and watching the people that passed by. Fortunately it wasn't many, most of them were maids and they were busy with lunch for the family (and themselves, of course).

Ashton saw Andrew walk to a small lake in there. He hid behind the plants and watched the king looking at the water, probably thinking. Ashton held the sharp rock in his hand and started moving slowly towards him, you could barely see him walking. A person touched his shoulder and he let out a small scream, dropping the rock and seeing Andrew was already gone.

He was getting ready to argue with the person for scaring him until he saw it was looking, standing there with a small smile and giggling. Ashton can't avoid to smile back at the blonde who had a light blush on his cheeks. He chuckled and admired Luke's shiny blue eyes.

"Good morning!" Luke said "I'm ready for my first lesson."

"Morning."

"I surprised you uh?" Luke said "I bet you were waiting for that!"

"Let's just go."

Luke nodded and walked behind Ashton who was taking him to a small field near them. When they got there the boys sat down in a rock, admiring the view of the fields the king owned. Luke sat closer to Ashton and blushed when their shoulders touched, yet none of them moved an inch.

"You know, the view is beautiful and all, but what are we learning?"

"Just feel the nature." Ashton said, smiling "Be aware of your surroudings, don't distract yourself with random noises."

Luke nodded and looked to where Ashton was looking. He noticed it was the Outlands, the dark brown fields almost out of sight.

"Do you miss it?" Luke asked and Ashton looked at him.

"Miss what?"

"You know... home."

Ashton looks down "It was never a home to me."

Luke nodded and stared back at the horizon, deciding not to comment on the subject. At least not now. While that Ashton couldn't stop thinking about how that felt sincere, he never saw the Outlands as a home.

_______________________

sorry this was shitty but heeeeeeeeeeey we're getting out of the script kinda

i'm already thinking about the next book, if i end up writing that one it will be in Ashton's POV mostly (since i switch) lmao

opinions?

-ana rita (moony)