More Than a Teacher - Ashton Irwin

55

I'm woken out of a very light sleep by loud rustling sounds and heavy footsteps trampling around. I roll over and snuggle my face into the pillow with an exhausted groan.

I can't tell whether it is coming from the apartment upstairs or whether Calum is doing something in the living area. But what would anyone be doing at this ungodly hour of the night? All I want to do is sleep, especially after tiring myself out at the beach during the afternoon.

There's keys obnoxiously jingling and I hear the sound of a low voice belonging to Calum. What could he possibly be doing right now that is so important?

I sit up sleepily, and listen to his footsteps pounding the floor. He sounds like he's panicked or in a hurry. I wait a minute to see if the noise dies down. Maybe I'm overthinking, but I only hear an unusual amount of profanities string from his mouth.

What the hell is going on?

I slide reluctantly out of bed and peak my head out the bedroom door. I can't see much down the hall as the lights remain off. Maybe I'm just hearing things?

No. No, I definitely heard Calum.

I carefully tip toe out of the room, not wanting to frighten him if he's standing out there. I poke my head around the corner and I see his shadowed figure brushing his hand over the wall.

"Where are the fucking lights?" He whispers to himself and I'm in utter confusion.

Has he gone mad?

"Calum, what are you doing?" I flick on the light switch that's on the wall right next to me.

"Oh fuck," He breathes, laying a hand over his heart as he turns around to see me.

He's dressed with his phone in hand and car keys lying on the floor next to his feet. It must have been what he was looking for because he quickly crouches down to pick them up.

"It's Ashton." He shakes his head and strides over to the front door.

My stomach plummets as if I were on a massive roller coaster.

Ashton? What's wrong? Where is he?

"What? What's going on?" My breath hitches and I feel myself become queasy already.

Please tell me he's ok.

"Just got a call to say he'd gotten in a fight at a pub about thirty minutes away. I'm going to get him." He mumbles

My heart skips a beat and my eyes widen in shock.

"A fight? Is he alright?" I panic.

"I don't know. I have to go." He bluntly replies, opening the door.

"I'm coming—"

"No Ava. You have to stay here." He sternly speaks and it hurts how harshly it comes across.

"Fuck no, I—"

"I'm not letting you see him like this Ava! You're staying here." His finger darts out at me as frustration takes over his body.

He slams the door closed before I can even reply.
Not that I had anything to say, I'm completely speechless.

I try not to let Calum's demanding tone get to me.
He's just as panicked as I am and he is in a rush to get to wherever the pub is located. I might not like it but he's only trying to protect me. I don't think it's going to make a difference though, I'm still going to see him when he comes home.

God, I can't believe this will be the first moment seeing his face in almost a month. Fresh out of a fight and fucked up on alcohol and whatever else.

I'm pacing around the apartment like a headless chicken. There is a whirlwind of emotions flooding my body. My poor system has been through so much.