groupie; afi

thirty

Considering Ashton wanted to fix things, he hasn't really been hanging out with me on the bus. I don't know if it's just too awkward right now or if he thinks I don't want too. When I try to talk to him, he barely talks back. I'm just going to assume he needs space right now.

Over these past few days, I have been getting closer to the other boys though. They all come in and check on me all the time. It's Calum for the most part though. He's been so caring. I honestly love the new Calum, it's so different than the version I saw when I first got here.

There's another show coming up soon so I was hoping that Ashton and I could go out. We could do anything, I just wanna spend time with him.

I leave the back room to grab myself a drink. When I get to the kitchen area, Ashton's making some type of meal.

"Hey Ashton," I say quietly.

He looks surprised by my greeting, "Hey Natalie," Ashton smiles.

He looks tired. I hope he's sleeping well.

"How have you been? We haven't really been talking lately," I say, fidgeting with my fingers.

"I've been okay, just getting by. How about you?" He asks me. He finishes up whatever he was making.

"Same. I've missed you a lot," I admit but he probably already knew that.

Ashton's POV

She's missed me?

I was almost pretty sure that Natalie had moved on and is seeing Calum now. They're inseparable lately, just like how Natalie and I used to be. I can't blame him though. I'd give anything to be with her during every second of the day.

"I've missed you too. I just was overthinking some things," I shrug my shoulders.

"Like what?" She looks confused.

"I just thought you and Cal were a thing. Or at least going to be," I can't even look at her while I say it. I look down at my plate of food.

"Ash, Calum and I are just friends. There's nothing to worry about," She smiles and rests her hand on my bicep.

I haven't felt her touch in so long. It sends tingles down my arm and to the rest of my body. The part where he hand is feels hot. I feel nervous even though it was just an innocent touch of reassurance.

"Why don't you come back to my room with me? We can catch up some," She says. I must've been silent while her touch was resonating with me.

"Sure. I'd love to," I smile at her.

She grabs her drink and we go back to her room. It looks different. Everything is rearranged. I like it though. It's nice.

Natalie's POV

I don't think I've been more happy for Ashton to be in my room. Although, it does feel a tad awkward. So much has happened since the first time he was in here.

Ashton and I start talking about some old memories of that time. I ramble on about that night at the beach. I'd give anything to go back. It was lighthearted and we really had no worries. But, remembering that night makes me think about a certain unsolved detail.

"Wait Ashton, you never told me the other reason why you wear the bandanas," I say.

Ashton practically chokes on his food. His cheeks get flushed. He clears out his throat and looks at me.

"Um you never figured it out," He chuckles. I can tell he's a little embarrassed. I don't know why though.

"Yeah, but you said you would show me if I couldn't figure it out," I scoot closer to him.