About A Boy // Ashton Irwin

five

"Ash, I'm home!" My mother cheered as she locked the door, taking off her uniform blazer and hanging it on a chair. She made her way over to where I was sitting on the couch.
"How was school?" She sighed as she sat next to me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
"It was fine." I groaned while flipping through channels.
"Oh don't be like that darl! Give me a smile." She nudged my arm.
I turned to my mum and gave her the slightest smile. She sighed and made her way to the kitchen.
"Why are there two mugs out? Thirsty were you?" Mum carried the mugs to the sink.
"I had someone over."
"Ooh, a new friend?" Was Charlotte a friend? I wasn't quite sure. She was nice enough, and we both liked Oasis.
"Something like that." Maybe I'll just ask Charlotte tomorrow if we are friends, so I can be sure.
"You should invite him over again, so I can meet him."
"It's a she." My mother's eyes lit up.
"Ooh! A girl? What's her name?"
I groaned "Mum, we're just friends, I think." I whispered the last part. "Can we talk about something else now?"
"Sure honey. How are your classes?"
"Okay."
"Are the kids nice?"
"Somewhat."
She looked at me and smiled sadly. I didn't have the greatest time at my old school. At least now I was practically invisible.
"Anyway, come and help me make dinner, love."

* * *
"Hey Ashton." Charlotte surprised me at my locker.
"Oh, hey Charlotte. How are you?" I packed my bag and put it over my shoulder.
"I'm pretty okay." She began searching through her backpack. "I got his for you yesterday, I wasn't sure if you had it already." It was a copy of Oasis' The Masterplan.
"Gee, thanks Charlotte. You shouldn't have." I couldn't believe Charlotte would bother to buy me a gift. I wondered what I could buy her to return the favour.
"It's okay, I thought we could listen to it?" I nodded and smiled when we began walking out of the building and into the cold air.
"Ashton! Mate!" Evan called out while jogging towards us, his group following behind us. "Wanna come down to Bernie's with us, we're getting burgers." He patted me harshly on the shoulder.
"No I'm okay, thanks. I'm walking home with Charlotte." Evan's smile faltered, his face shifting to an amused expression.
"Alright mate." He scoffed.
He slowly walked off with his group and I looked down to Charlotte who showed no expression.
"You could have gone with them."
"I don't really like them all too much. I'd much rather walk home with you." Gosh, why did I say that. Now she must that I like her or something!
She smile genuinely and offered me an earphone. I opened my new CD and placed in inside the player as we began to walk out the gates.
We were up to the fifth song on the album when I stopped Charlotte, she paused the player and took out her earphone.
"Charlotte, are we friends?" I genuinely wanted to know, it was playing on my mind constantly and I frankly didn't care that I sounded stupid.
"I'd like us to be, if you want to be."
"I would." I smiled.
"Good. Great." She laughed lightly.
"Would you like to come over again?" I liked spending time with Charlotte, she could meet my mum and maybe they could play a song on the piano together.
"That would be nice."
Once we arrived at my house, I knocked on the door and my mother answered it.
"Hi, Ash! And hello to you..."
"Charlotte Green." I answered.
"I hope you don't mind me coming over." Charlotte questioned as she stepped up the last stair.
"Oh, of course not dear! Come inside, it's chilly out." My mother rubbed her arms.
"I like your jumper very much Ms. Irwin." She wore her fluffy, purple jumper. It was her favourite.
"Thank you Charlotte. And call me Fiona, please." She laughed.
"Mum, Charlotte plays the piano." I pointed out.
"You do, love? Come and play something." Charlotte went to sit at the piano, she played an upbeat tune. When she finished my mother clapped while Charlotte smiled widely.
"That was beautiful! Oh, Ashton come over let's sing for Charlotte." I walked over to stand by the piano as my mum began playing the opening chords to Killing Me Softly.
"Strumming my pain with his fingers,
Singing my life with his words,
Killing me softly with his song,
Killing me softly with his song,
Telling my whole life with his words,
Killing me softly with his song."
We finished singing as Charlotte clapped. "Wow, you both sing so well. I wish I could sing." I was glad she genuinely enjoyed me singing, if she didn't I would have been very embarrassed. I knew that if someone like Evan knew I sang with my mum, I would never hear the end of it.
"We'll teach you one day! How about that?" My mother offered.
"That would be wonderful! Really." Charlotte beamed.
For the next two hours, we watched television and drank tea, and played a game of Scrabble. Charlotte and mum were getting on very well, they had lots to talk about and I felt very happy.
"I should head back home. Thanks for letting me come over." Charlotte stood up and my mum offered her a hug, which she accepted.
"Come over anytime you like Charlotte, you are always welcome."
"Thank you, I'll see you next time." I walked towards the door with Charlotte to let her out.
"I really like your mum Ash, she's great. And you, you're a great friend." I liked that Charlotte was always genuine. There aren't many people like that around.
"You too. I'll see you tomorrow." She surprised me by leaning in for a hug. It was nice, she was warm and I hoped to hug her many times after this.
"Goodbye, Ash."

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Picture of Ashton's mum above (Marcus' mum in the movie). She's pretty crazy as u may have noticed. Next chapter starts to pick up so stay tuned xxx p.s I updated yesterday to so don't forget to read that