haze / afi

part 30. obvious feelings

another week passes.

violet hasn't seen ashton all week. ashton hasn't seen violet all week. she hasn't even seen luke, calum or michael. practically avoiding them at all costs in fear of doing something stupid in front of ashton.

ashton couldn't be feeling worse. he cooked himself breakfast, an omelette. to only eat half. he lost his appetite half way through. remembering the time violet stayed over and he cooked her an omelette.

he was going to put on some music, coming across the fine line vinyl he played in violet's presence. he remembers she said her favourite song from the album is sunflower. specifically saying the 'vibes are immaculate' for that song.

he misses that morning. dancing around with her in his living room. seeing the care free violet he's been missing for the past couple of weeks.

he needed to get out of the house. he needed company. already knowing the company he wants, he most likely won't be getting. he'll settle for seeing his other friends though.

upon walking out of the door he calls luke right away, connecting his phone to his car so he can talk while driving.

"hey, ash," luke answers. "what's up?"

"are you busy today?" he asks.

"not at all," luke replies. "i'm meeting cal and mike for coffee soon if you wanted to join?"

"yea, that'd be great. i need a distraction." ashton audibly lets out a huff.

there's quiet for a moment, until luke speaks up again, "i take it you still haven't heard from her?"

"it's like fucking radio silence, man. driving me crazy."

"why don't we meet at the store, go in and check if she's there." luke suggests. "when is she not working at the store."

"okay," he agrees. "i'll be there in fifteen going by the traffic."

"alright, see you soon."

luke ends the call, heading towards the music store instead of the coffee place he's meeting calum and michael at. it doesn't take ashton long to arrive, parking his car up in an empty space, jumping out to see luke standing against the wall.

"i know you want her to text back," luke gains his attention before moving anywhere. "but she isn't gonna suddenly reply just because you're staring down at your phone."

"i know," ashton shoves it into his pocket. "i just want something, a sign she's okay, or that she's not mad at me for some reason."

they walk into the store, bell ringing, lisa standing over at the counter. two boxes next to her full of vinyls that looked as if they need sorting.

"morning you two," she greets. "how are we today?"

"not too bad," luke answers, glancing back to ashton who's behind him. "is violet here? we were hoping to talk to her."

lisa shakes her head, "she's not, unfortunately." ashton really hoped she was here today.

"thank you anyway," ashton forces out a smile. turning to walk back outside.

"i'll meet you down at starbucks, gonna look around." luke tells him, gaining a small nod.

ashton leaves the store, luke watching as he heads to the right towards where they'll be getting coffee.

luke turns back to lisa, folding his arms, "violet," luke says loudly. "you can come out now, he's gone."

and just as he suspected, she peeps her head out from behind he stock room door. glancing around, seeing he's telling the truth, ashton isn't here.