What Doesn't Break You (Ashton Irwin Fanfic)

Chapter 20

 A.J.’s POV:

Ashton’s entire body was ridged as he stood in front of me in the parking lot. Even though my veins felt like the blood had ceased flowing and was frozen solid, my heart was hammering against my chest like a freight train. My breathing hitched as I looked from Ashton to Michael, still standing their drunkenly waving his broken bottle.

 “Dude, you must be out of your fucking mind.  What are you doing? Put the bottle down.” Ashton said calmly, but with a certain measure of sternness in his voice.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as Michael let out a howl of laughter. He put his hands on his knees and wheezed, nearly falling on his face as he struggled to keep his balance. Finally he stood back up and slurred “What this old thing?” he waved the bottle back and forth. “Nah this is my friend. He’s gonna stay with me while we talk, so I can get some answers,” he sneered at Ashton then and took a wobbly step forward.

Ashton reacted immediately. He grabbed my hand and jerked me to the side of his car while at the same time pressed something into my hand. When I looked down I saw that it was the car keys. Before I could say anything he was walking away from me back towards Michael.

 “Ashton” I called out in alarm. What is he doing!?

 “Just get in the car A.J. I’ll be there in a minute.” He didn’t look back at me as he said this, keeping his eyes locked on Michael and his broken bottle.

I stood rooted to my spot. I knew the smartest option would have been to get in the car and call the police, but I couldn’t get my feet to move. I was frozen as I watched Michael advance on Ashton with that bottle in his hand, and I could feel a scream building in my throat. Maybe if I scream loud enough, Calum and his uncle will hear me and will come help, I thought.

 “I don’t know what your deal is, but you’re obviously very drunk man. You need to go home” Ashton’s voice was still calm, but his jaw was tight and his eyes were full of ice as he kept his eyes focused on Michael.

 “Not until we talk!” he yelled, and suddenly his eyes were full of a deep loathing as he looked at Ashton. “You think you’re so tough, Irwin. You and your best mate were in there playing around, pretending to be rock stars. Walking around school like you fucking own the place. Got your new bitch on your arm.”

He looked at me then and I felt a jolt of fear shoot through my chest. Ashton took a step to his right to further block me from view, but he didn’t take his eyes off Michael. The sudden movement made Michaels eyes dart back to Ashton and he snarled “Well what do I got, huh? I don’t have shit, man! And you know what else? It’s all your fault!” He was breathing heavy, but made no move towards Ashton. The bottle was still dangling by his side.

Ashton put his hands up in a defensive position, but his voice was unapologetic as he shouted back “I have no fucking idea what you’re on about man, but you need to leave.” He turned back to me again briefly. “Get in the car A.J.” I shook my head, but I don’t think he saw because he had turned back to Michael.

 “You don’t know? You don’t fucking know?” Michael took a step towards Ashton, and they were only feet apart now. “You know something, and you’re going to tell me why I’m stuck like this!” He raised his arms like he was gesturing to himself and continued to glare at Ashton.