New Girl // A.I (completed)

four

< Saturday >

{ Payton }

"Slow down" Dad chuckled as I flew down the stairs with my backpack, pillow, and blanket,

"Sorry" I laughed, slipping on my Vans,

"Where you off to?" he questioned as Mom came around the corner,

"Michael's. He's one of my new friends. The groups staying the night" I answered, "I thought I told you"

"You probably did" Mom smiled, "Have fun and be safe"

"I will"

****

I pulled up to Michael's and parked on the street behind what I knew was Ashton's car. I looked at the house for a minute then grabbed my phone, texting the group:

-messages-
-groupchat: gangg-

[ Hey, I'm here ]

Grace: [ yessss ]

Michael: [ Okay. I'm coming out now ]

————

I put my phone down and got out once I saw Michael walking across his yard.

"Hey!" he beamed, hugging me as soon as I got out, "I'm glad you came"

"Thanks for inviting me" I chuckled,

"Of course! You're one of us now"

I opened my back door and put my backpack on then grabbed my pillow and blanket, which Michael immediately took from me,

"Ashton's going to be very happy" Michael nudged me as we walking into his house, "I'm pretty sure he likes you"

I didn't even have a chance to respond before he was pulling me out the back door to a garage looking place,

"It used to be like a guest house. It's my hangout now"

I laughed a little and followed behind him as he opened the door,

"Payton!" Luke cheered,

"Hey guys" I smiled, putting my backpack down where the others put theirs,

"So we were thinking of going bowling. You down?" Ashton asked, moving over so I could sit. I nodded and they began figuring out driving situations.

****

We got to the bowling alley, Ashton, Michael, and I climbing out of Ashton's Honda Pilot, and Calum, Luke, and Grace climbing out of Luke's car,

"I'm kicking everyone's ass" Michael yelled as we walked into the building.

We walked up to the desk and paid then went to get shoes. Everyone went to the lane after but Ashton stayed with me while I got my shoes,

"What size for you?" the worker asked me,

"Six" I spoke, getting a laugh from Ashton,

"You have a baby foot" he teased,

"Shut up" I playfully pushed him, taking my shoes from the worker and the two of us going to the lane.

We all put our names in, Michael getting up since he was going first. He grabbed a ball and went throwing it straight in the gutter making us all crack up,

"I'm just warming up" he waved us off. He grabbed the second ball and went up for his second go, going right to the gutter again,

"It's fine. I got it the next go around" he shrugged and plopped down in the chair next to me.

Luke went next, then Grace, Calum, and Ashton. Then it was my turn.

I grabbed the lightest ball and made my way up to the lane. I stepped forward and rolled the ball, getting nine of the ten of the pins,

"Why didn't you tell us you're a bowler!?" Luke tossed his hands up,

"The closest thing to the military base I lived on in Hawaii was a bowling alley- we went a lot" I admitted.

****

We must've played three or four games, but after the last one, we were ready to go. We went back to Michael's and everyone changed into shorts or sweatpants to get comfy.

We all sat around on the couches. We were just talking and I was getting to know them better. I barely knew them, but I still felt like I already knew a lot,

"How old are your siblings Payton?" Calum questioned as he and Grace sat cuddled together,

"They're eight. They're twins"

"My little brother is eight also" Ashton grinned,

"Are you gonna sign up for anything at school?" Grace nudged my arm,

"I was gonna play soccer but I was too late to sign up. I'm going to play club soccer instead"

"Well, when that starts give us your schedule so we can come" Luke smiled,

"I haven't even tried out yet" I laughed, "But if I make the team I will"

Michael got up and came back with bowls of popcorn. We all settled down, laying around with our pillows and blankets. I was laying between Ashton and Grace.

"We're watching a scary movie" Luke announced, dropping on the other side of Ashton. Grace and I both groaned. Calum laughed and pulled his girlfriend into his hold while I pulled my blanket up higher.

Halfway through the movie, Grace was buried in Calum's chest and I was practically shaking and shielding my eyes with my blanket. I heard Ashton chuckle next to me, making me look at him. He lifted his own blanket and I scooted over under his arm. My head rested against his chest, the smell of his cologne filling my senses. I couldn't help but smile and feel giddy when his arm came around my back to hold me to him,

"I'll protect you" he chuckled. I smiled again and cuddled up, not even bothered that I barely knew the guy.

****

< next morning >
< Sunday >

I woke up feeling a head in my back between my shoulder blades. I opened my eyes and went to move, but Grace was awake and stopped me,

"Ashton's in your back. I don't want you rolling on his head" she whispered, her hands moving through her sleeping boyfriend's hair.

I moved carefully and laid where I wasn't on Ashton, then sat up like Grace was. I looked around the room for Luke and Michael, laughing when I spotted each of them. Michael was star-fished out with his arm over his eyes and Luke was cuddled up to Calum's back.

"Ashton's got a big crush on you" Grace sang out. My cheeks flushed and Grace smirked,

"Ahh someone has a crush too"

"Crush on who?" Ashton groaned next to me, my eyes going wide,

"Me. I have a huge crush on Calum" Grace covered,

"Eww"