Keeping Real - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 18

The night air was intoxicating and the feeling of the cool air refreshed me. It was about four in the morning and Ashton and I were just leaving the swim complex, hand in hand. I still couldn't believe that he had kissed me. It seemed too soon to move into a new relationship after what had happened with Connor but I was far too obsessed with Ashton to tell him that.

As we reached the parking lot I turned and asked him, "How did you even know that I would be here tonight?" He shook his head and laughed before telling me that Calum had texted Mr. Kae when I didn't answer my phone, and Coach had told him of my challenge. "Calum tweeted a message to me, got my phone number, and made sure I got my butt over here," Ashton said incredulously.

I was shocked. I knew that Calum and I had forgiven each other, but for him to go out of his way to contact his supposed forsworn enemy was beyond anything I could imagine him doing.

"He's a good friend," Ashton said kindly. "He really is," I replied, still shocked. We finally made it to my familiar beat-up truck but we were reluctant to say goodbye. I was exhausted but I still wanted to be with Ashton.

We unwillingly made our way to my car, both of us knowing that we'd have to say goodnight. I unlocked my truck and faced Ashton.

"Thanks for saving my butt, for being here for me, for this whole night," I babbled. His crooked grin made me feel like I was the center of his world and I could barely contain my happiness.

"I'm glad I could be here for you. It was definitely worth the late night," he said, smiling. I wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer, and he didn't object, bringing his hands up to my face.

And I was kissing him again. His soft lips brushed against mine and it was over all too soon. I got in my car, unable to believe the night was truly real and not just a dream.

I was about to close my door when his hand stopped it and he said with laughter in his voice, "Night, Hemmings," ending our night the same way we did the first time we met.

"Night, Irwin."

I sat in my car and wanted to giggle, to smile, to call Leilani even though it was four in the morning. I drove home, smiling all the way.

My mother's car wasn't in the driveway, as usual, so I didn't need to worry about her rage at finding me returning home so late. She was gone; this usually made me annoyed and depressed but in light of my night and my frustration with her, I was happy she wasn't home.

The smell of chlorine on my skin was overpowering and I jumped in the shower quickly, barely able to keep my eyes open. When I finally got into bed I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

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The next morning I awoke to Luke shaking my shoulder hurriedly.

"Wake up, you lump of lazy," he told me. I promptly threw a pillow at him, but he wouldn't stop his attempt to drag me out of bed.

"Its 7:45. We are going to be late if you don't get up right now," Luke said, trying to act strict but failing miserably.

"Skipping school...too tired...swim...Ashton...keys in...gym bag," I mumbled into my pillow, not possessing the energy to actually have a conversation with my twin. I was asleep before he even left my room.

I awoke again, but this time because of my growling stomach. Last night I had been too nervous to eat an actual meal and as it was already noon my empty stomach was protesting. 

As I skipped down the steps towards the kitchen, I realized that I was ecstatic over the fact that Ashton had kissed me, even now, hours later, I was giddy over the boy. I kept smiling as a poured myself a large bowl of Cheerios.