Mr. Irwin|A.I.

•10•

Lacey

December

"Oh my gosh you guys made it!" I say excitedly hugging each family member that runs up to me.

"You know we wouldn't miss this for the world." My foster mom Vivian tells me as she pulls me into a hug.

"So where's this cute teacher of yours?" my foster sister Ella asks me.

"Ella." I say quietly shaking my head.

"Oh don't worry, we already know about your relationship with your teacher. Ella couldn't keep it to herself long." Viv explains.

"But don't worry sweetie, we're not going to judge you, okay we will support you since it's not completely illegal." My other foster mother Rebecca tells me.

"Thanks guys. Well I better go get ready and you guys better find your seats. I'm the last one to perform. Ashton is playing with his band to start it off. He's the drummer but please don't make a scene." I say and they all nod.

I walk back into the small backstage area with everyone else who is performing for the jam. I walk to my small area and start getting ready.

"Well look who decided to show up. Here to cheer on your boyfriend, loser?" Natalie asks as she walks up to me.

"Natalie don't you have someone else to harass?" I ask.

"Nope, you're the only one. Ashton belongs with me and not you. He'll figure that out tonight after he sees my performance." She says with a smirk.

"Well of you were smart enough to pay attention to things, you would know that he's leaving after the bands set. So he won't even see you. Good try though." I say as I put finishing touches on my make up and walk off.

"What was that about?" Ash asks me as I approach him.

"Just Natalie being Natalie." I say and he nods.

"You've got a full house out there. I wish you the best if luck although I know you don't need it" I tell him with a smile.

"Well thank you. I'm probably going to need it." he says with a smile.

He leans in and presses his lips to mine. Our lips move in sync for just a second before were interrupted by the other 3 lads running through lightly pushing us to get to the stage. Ashton chuckles and follows them before I hear a bang on the drums and the start to music I'm not quite familiar to. I stand at the entrance of the stage to watch and listen.

You walked in
Everyone was asking for your name
You just smiled and told them "Trouble"

My head spins
I'm pressed against the wall
Just watching your every move
You're way too cool
And you're coming this way
Coming this way...

My head nods to the music before Ashton starts singing his solo he wrote about me.

...Call me lucky 'cause in the end
I'm a six and she's a ten
She's so fit, I'm insecure
But she keeps coming back for more...

They finish the first song and sing just one more before thanking the crowd and walking off to backstage.

"You did so great out there." I tell him.

"Thank you but you'll do so much better." he tells me with a kiss.

"Thanks for the confidence. I needed it." I smile.

"Anytime. Now I have to go with the lads but I promise I'll be back in time for your performance." he says and I nod.

He leaves with the others and I sit anxiously backstage as they call each student on stage for their performance. Two hours pass until I hear my name called. I slowly walk onto the stage and sit at the piano. I look out into the audience and see my family, I also see Ashton standing at the very back. I smile and take a deep breath as I start pressing piano keys and words escape my mouth.