Rhythm || Ashton Irwin

Chapter Thirty-Two

            (Ashton’s POV)

            Ashton: Hey what are you doing tonight? I was thinking take out, a movie, my couch?

            Lauren: I can’t, I’ve got rehearsal and then I’ve got to finish up that thing for the project, and I need to be asleep by 11, at the latest, if I’m going to be coherent enough to even think during rehearsal tomorrow.

            Ashton: Hey, don’t stress about it, we’ll figure out a time to hang out!

            Lauren: I’m so sorry…

            Lauren: I really do want to do that with you tonight, I’m just so busy

            Ashton: Seriously, it’s fine, I know this is important to you

            Lauren: I know… You’re too good for me.

           

            Sliding my phone into my pocket, I sighed, stopping in my tracks before turning around and heading in the opposite direction of Lauren’s studio and towards Calum and Luke’s apartment instead. Knocking the door, I waited for someone to answer and when there wasn’t one, I took it upon myself to open the door, knowing it was most likely unlocked.

The second I walked in, I was only slightly surprised to see Cassie and Calum on the couch making out. I stood there, hoping they’d notice me despite their swapping of saliva and heavy breathing.

            Clearing my throat, the two broke apart, looking to me with slightly embarrassed smiles on their faces.

            “Oh, I’d love to come in, Calum, thank you for asking.” I rolled my eyes flopping down on the chair across from the two, annoyance clear in my voice.

            “What’s up your ass?” Calum scoffed, readjusting himself on the couch.

            “Did Lauren ditch you too?” Cassie asked, sending me a knowing look. Running my hands over my face and through my hair, I nodded with a sigh of aggravation.

            “It’s just… We just started dating, I feel like she’s avoiding me. I thought we were past this.”

            “It’s not you, believe me. Whenever she gets a part in a show she goes mad crazy trying to make sure everything is perfect. She’s always at rehearsal, she needs to sleep at least 8 hours a night, and she listens to nothing but that instrumental crap in the show. I swear, if it weren’t one of the only positive things in her life, besides me of course, I would pull her out of dance once and for all.” Cassie threw her hands in the air, staring at the other side of the room, a pensive look on her face, before turning back to me with a look of indifference and a shrug of her shoulder, “You’ll get there too, don’t worry.”

            “She probably wants to spend as much time as possible with you too, I’m sure everything will be fine once the show is over.” Calum added, Cassie nodding from beside him.

            “That’s easy for you to say, you and your girlfriend are basically attached at the hips…” I rolled my eyes, frustrated with the two of them, “I just wish there was some way we could spend more than fifteen minutes together outside of class!”

            “OH!” Cassie jumped up, a huge smile on her face, “Come to thanksgiving!” Raising an eyebrow, I shook my head, about to politely decline her offer, “No, seriously, I would love to have you over, bring your family too!”  Walking over to me, Cassie gabbed her thumb over her shoulder at Calum, “This one is going to be with his family, and my brother needs another male to talk to since my dad isn’t coming, and we all know Lauren can’t stand her parents and she would absolutely love it if you were there!”