One Step Closer (Sequel to OSAAT)

Chapter Forty-Five

I woke up, my head pounding. I sat up slowly, careful not to jerk at all. The movement would potentially make everything worse, so I steered clear of it.

The room was dark and I could tell it was most likely before a reasonable time to wake up. I turned my head to see Ali's back facing me. I slowly got out of bed and walked out of our room, to the kitchen, getting medicine as quickly as I could. Once I had taken some medicine, I looked over to the clock to see that it was barely two in the morning. I groaned, silently, and walked back into the bedroom. I unplugged my phone from its charger and grabbed one of my blankets, taking it to the living room with me where I sat on the couch. As soon as I got comfortable, my phone started ringing. I knitted my brows in confusion and looked down at the device in my hands.

Ashton Irwin calling

My eyebrows knitted tightly together and I answered the call, reluctantly. It's not that I wanted to, there was just a small part of me telling myself one of the boys could be hurt.

Not that I care for the boys, just... I care for people, in general.

"Lauren! Are you there?" As soon as I heard the slurred words, I knew no one was hurt, but that I just so happened to be on Ashton's recently called list.

And he was drunk.

"I need a favor, so if you're there... I'd love to hear your voice." Ashton began to giggle and I looked around, wanting to call out for help. If there was one thing I didn't want to be doing at two in the morning, it would be talking to a drunk Ashton Irwin when he needed a favor.

"Uh, yeah... I'm here."

"Yay! So, how are you?" he asked me. I started to hear some music in the background and I sighed.

"I'm fine, Ashton. What do you need?"

"I need a ride. So, when will you be here?" I laughed aloud and shook my head.

"I didn't know you had such a great sense of humor."

"Lauren, I understand it's like midnight, okay? I meant to come home earlier than this, but everyone else left. I don't have a ride, and I don't trust midnight rides with cab drivers."

"Ashton, it's two o'clock in the morning! I am not coming to wherever the hell you are to pick you up."

"Lauren, please!" Ashton laughed and I sighed, knowing he was purely intoxicated. "I wouldn't ask you if I knew you wouldn't help a guy out. By the way, as soon as I saw you... damn, I knew I made the wrong choice going for Ali. You're beautiful." I squeezed my eyelids shut. My headache wasn't helping the situation of drunk Ashton and I didn't appreciate it.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sorry, Ashton, but I can't 'help a guy out'. You're going to have to find another way home. Goodby-"

"No, Lauren, please!" Immediately Ashton sounded sober and I furrowed my eyebrows. "I really need someone to pick me up. No one else is answering, and I know I took a risk calling you. I just thought I'd at least try, so... please? I'm only a little drunk, I won't even talk to you if you just pick me up." I sighed, reluctant to give in on his begging.

"Ashton... it's two in the morning."

"I know that... now. I'm only asking for one favor." He sighed, causing me to do so as well. "I will do anything for you in the future. I just need a ride."

"Fine." I groaned at myself, not able to believe I had agreed.

"Wait, really?" Ashton asked, completely surprised.

"Yeah, yeah. Where are you?"

"Uh..." I rubbed my face as I realized Ashton had no clue where he was exactly. "I'm at a club... called Pocky."