“You break my heart, dear Fazio,” she teased as they walked in the direction of the Garlic Knot. “We could always wait for the other one to turn up and then blow this place. If we’re just being extra wheels then there’s no point in us being here anyway.”
“Again with that nickname?” Ashton grinned but couldn’t stop the slight colouring that filled his cheeks. “Really?” Relief filled his voice at the possibility, it wasn’t about spending time Elise because obviously she was one of his favourite people, it was more so the fancy meal.
“You make it sound soooo romantic,” Cassie teased, eyes glancing around the quiet restaurant. It was going to be a long night and she wasn’t quite prepared for playing up her non-existent relationship with Ashton, but she was happy to help her friend out. “What time are they supposed to arrive again?”
Guilt flashed across his face as he couldn’t quite meet her eyes knowing how rude he had come across and that he had been raised better than that. “Sorry.” His apology came out mumbled as he looked up at her through his eyelashes. “I- uh, they should be here any minute. We were all due to meet for 7.”
how do you feel about your father's new drinking problem?
How do you think I feel about it? I hate it. Why would I want to be reminded of anything from my childhood or see someone I love and care about go down the same route I’ve already watched family go down.
If you could have three wishes, what would you ask for and why?
My dad to be happy, though I think that can only happen if my mom was alive. So I guess that’s two? And for my third I guess for me to actually make it through this course and qualify as a teacher?
“It’s not a double date, we’re just third and forth wheeling.” Ashton wasn’t even sure why he was here or why he had agreed to it, other than to help his friend finally get his so called crush to agree to a date. Ashton would much rather have been spending what little free time he did have at home drawing or visiting one of the places that he frequented with his dad.
It had been a long night of marking as Ashton sat up waiting for his father to return home, he’d noticed that it had started to become a habit staying out late and returning at weird hours of the night. He felt as if he couldn’t say anything and that he just needed to give him space, time to grieve in his own way, though it didn’t make things any easier considering how close the two were.
Hearing a key in the front door moments before it opened, Ashton placed his pen down on the table and looked up at the doorway he knew Noah would come through and let out a sigh as he could smell the alcohol straight away. It was one of the smells that he was able to pick up on quickly, especially considering his history. “You’re drunk.”
AGE: Twenty-one
TIME IN ARAMORE: Seven years.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Employed at Aramore Primary School
What was their life like before Aramore?
Ashton Carter doesn’t have many good memories of his early childhood. His biological parents were abusive and he was removed from their home at age ten. He spent four years bouncing between foster homes due to emotional issues before being placed with the Carter family. After his troubled past, it took nearly a year for Ashton to accept that he was both safe with the Carter's, and that they were not going to send him away. He cried for an hour when they told him they were adopting him. It was the only time that Ashton ever allowed himself to given into the emotions that were overwhelming him, the first time he had let himself cry and once he started he couldn't stop. For the year he was with his new family, Ashton acted out frequently and often fought with his new siblings, but eventually things leveled out and despite their rocky start Ashton is extremely protective of both his siblings now.
What is their life like now?
After many years of therapy and a loving family, his childhood has still left its scars, but Ashton didn't feel like that’s what defined him anymore. He had been doing well in school, and even had a few local fans of his art. It still takes him a while to trust, but once he does he would do anything for his family and his close circle of friends. He now works at Aramore Primary School in hopes of giving the stability and support to children that he never had at their age.
Where do they want to be in 10 years/the future?
Ashton would love to be able to do what his own parents did for him, to be able to give those without a home somewhere to call their safe haven and family.
