((AN: im super tired and it's Mother's Day so don't judge my typos okok thanks))
(((dedicating this to Ashla1306 because voting ahh ily)))
I groaned loudly, rolling over in bed to turn off my beeping alarm.
"Nicole Reese Jacobson!" Melissa's shriek echoed through the whole apartment, making me cringe.
"Yes, Melissa Rose Hood?" I called back sarcastically, stepping out of bed. I walked out into the kitchen, finding Melissa leaning up against the marble countertop, glaring at me.
"What is this?!" she held up the napkin with Ashton's number on it.
"Oh, that's... I don't even have a lie for this. That's this guy named Ashton Irwin's number." I explained.
"You finally met him? Thank god, he's all you talk about since Misa told you about the 'mystery Australian boy'." she chuckled, and I flicked her ear.
"Shut up, you make it sound like I'm obsessed."
Melissa smirked at me, shrugging her tan freckled shoulders. I loved the way that her purple tank top complimented her skin tone.
She tucked a piece of her straight blonde hair behind her ear, revealing a silver stud earring.
"But Nick, you are obsessed."
"I told him he was a babe." I whispered, looking at the floor.
"YOU WHAT!?" She shrieked, falling into fits of laughter. "That's it! I'm coming to work with you today. What time do you have to be there?"
"One, so you only have three hours, and you take forever on your makeup. So hurry up." I laughed and walked into my bedroom after she squealed and darted into the bathroom.
"Nick!" a man's voice floated through the hall.
"Yessss Michael?" I called in a high pitched voice, just to annoy him.
"You're a jerk. And can you bring me home a hot chocolate after work?" Michael ran a hand through his white and black hair, making it stick up straight.
"Sure, skunky. Maybe you should dye your hair a different color, man." I grinned.
"Maybe I will!" He huffed, turning and walking away, leaving me holding back laughter.
-
"Back so soon, Irwin?" I smirked from behind the counter, looking up at the hazel eyes boy. Melissa gasped from the booth in the corner, making both Ashton and I look over.
"Liss." I glared at her, and immediately she dissolved into a coughing fit.
"Sorry, sorry, Nick." she mumbled, and I chuckled.
"Nick? I like it." Ashton laughed.
"Shut it, dimples. Black coffee?" I grabbed a mug, waiting for his answer.
"You know me so well." He smiled. I poured the dark liquid into the bright white mug and handed it to him. He sat at the barstool by the counter, leaning his elbows on the marble.
"Liss, want to join us?" he called.
Melissa choked on her coffee.
"Oh, sure. So you're the infamous Ashton?" Melissa made her way over and say next to my new friend.
"Infamous? I like the sound of that. True, Nicole?" He looked at me.
"Uh. Hm." I stuttered, feeling a blush rise into my cheeks.
"I'll take that as a yes." Ashton let out a low chuckle. The sound made my knees weak, and I swallowed subconsciously.
"I should.. um. I'll be right back."
I darted into the back of the store, grabbing a gray towel to wipe down the counter. That dang boy would not leave my mind. It's like he can see right through me, it's so annoying. Jerk.
-
"What took you so long?" Melissa quizzed. "Get lost back there?"
"Shut up, Melissa." I snapped, but the look on Ashton's face made my glare soften.
"Whoa, feisty." Ashton laughed. "What's your last name, Liss?"
Melissa stared at him. "Where did that come from?"
"I just figured I should know."
"Hood."
"And you, Nick?" he turned his attention to me.
"Does it matter? Just call me Mrs. Your Last Name." as soon as the words passed my lips, Melissa followed through on her earlier act of choking on her coffee. She spewed it all over the counter, and on my favorite white Joy Division tank.
"Liss!" I shrieked, more angry than embarrassed.
"Sorry, sorry!" She quickly ran around to the back side of the counter and dabbed at my shirt with a paper towel.
"Hey, I have the same shirt!" Ashton exclaimed. I shot a warning glance at him, through the tendrils of hair that had escaped my messy ponytail.
"Ash."
"Oh. Nicknames! Awesome!" He giggled, a joyous high pitched noise that made me smile, despite how mad I was at Melissa.
"Nick?" I looked down at my friend, who was currently on her knees staring at my coffee covered stomach.
"Hmm?"
"I approve."
