lifeguard//ashton irwin

chapter 11: date?

May's POV

It took me less than 5 minutes to realize that Calum had no idea what he was doing. Why am I not surprised?

"Are you dooooone yet??" Calum whined while I sifted through the clearance rack at one of the nearby boutiques. "You're the one who dragged me here in the first place! I might as well grab something to wear for tonight."

"I had no idea it took girls this long to shop! It's been-" he looked at his phone, "27 minutes since we left your house!"

"And?"

"You're taking forever!! I thought you would be done in like 10 minutes max."

I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked him dramatically in the eyes.

"You know, Calum, you never fail to amuse me with your ignorance. Believe me, I'm actually a fast shopper." I took a cute red dress off the rack, holding it up and twirling around in the mirror. Calum rolled his eyes and continued scrolling through his phone. "There. Done. Let's go." I grabbed some hoop earrings and headed to the checkout.

"Nice choices!" The cashier smiled at me. "Do you have a date tonight?"

I grinned nervously. "Um, yeah, I guess. We'll see how it goes."

"He's a lucky guy." She smiled again and handed me my bag. "That'll be 30 dollars."

I paid and walked back to my house, shooing Calum away so I could get ready for my dinner with Ashton.

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Ashton's POV

Michael hasn't responded to my texts and Luke was no help. Calum is off somewhere, probably with Ariana. Now I'm alone in my room, trying to figure out what the hell is happening tonight.

I'm thinking back to my conversation with May. I asked out her out to have dinner and talk. Is that a date? I don't know what to expect and I haven't even thought of what I'm going to say to her.

After pacing some more I decided that I should dress casually to take some of the pressure off the date, so I threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and walked over to May's house.

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May's POV

After 2 hours of going back and forth between hairstyles, I finally just tied it in a loose braid, checking my teeth and makeup. I heard a knock on the door and took a deep breath before answering it.

I opened it slowly and looked up.

Ashton just stared at me. And stared. And stared.

"Hey."

"Yeah, um hey, you, uh, you look really nice."

I looked down at my fancy dress then back to his regular outfit. Talk about overdressed.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't sure how to dress, uh, I should probably change..." I moved to close the door.

"No! You're perfect. I mean, you look perfect. Uh, your dress is really nice." He stuttered, obviously growing more nervous by the second. At least now I know I'm not the only one.

"Ok." I paused. "Do you wanna just go?" I walked out and closed the door.

He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair.

"Yeah let's go."

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Ashton's POV

I was planning to just take May to the food trucks, but she got all dressed up so I have to change plans. I tried to stall, walking and trying to think of something quick.

"So where are we going?"

Dammit. "Um, it's a surprise, you'll see." I cringed at my awful excuse.

Thankfully, we soon passed a fancy restaurant. I think I remember going to this place when I was a kid. I hope it's good.

"Here we are!" I opened the door for May and she smiled, walking past me.

I rubbed my sweaty palms and walked up to the table at the front.

"Good evening, what's the name?" The hostess (I think that's what she's called) asked me with a cheery smile.

"Name?"

"Yes, what name is the reservation under?"

"Oh, I don't have a reservation."

"Well I'm sorry but you need a reservation to get a table."

"Can I make one now?"

"The next reservation isn't for 2 weeks."

"Oh.... ok thanks."

I looked over to May and we awkwardly walked outside.

"I'm really sorry." I ran a hand through my hair.

"It's totally fine, um no worries."

"Thanks."

Awkward silence. Thankfully May spoke up.

"Ok screw this. I know you weren't planning to take me here in the first place. I know I dressed way too fancy but can we just do whatever you were thinking originally?"

She knows. I might as well just tell her. "Well I was just gonna get some tacos, but since you're all dressed up-"

"No, that sounds perfect actually."

She grabbed my hand and started walking to the food trucks. We ordered some food and walked over to a bench on the pier to sit.

We ate our food in silence. I couldn't seem to be able to find the right moment to start talking. This is so awkward.

"So, you wanted to talk to me?" May spoke up again.

I guess it's now or never. "Yeah. Ok I don't know how to start so I'm just gonna jump right in."

"Sounds good to me." May threw away her empty plate and turned to give me her full attention.

I took a deep breath.

"Ok first of all I'm sorry for being such an ass to you with the whole kiss thing and even before that." I tried to read her expression but I couldn't get anything. My heart started beating faster and faster, so I tried to steady my breathing and clear my mind of all the thoughts rushing in.

"I, um, you know, we started out, um, pretty bad, and I was really confused, and-" my brain blanked and I started panicking. This is a disaster.

"Hey, it's ok." May put her hand on my shoulder and I could feel my muscles relax under her touch. But tension still hung in the air, and I could tell this was awkward for her too. I hope she's not laughing at me.

I took another deep breath.

"Ok the point is- I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was surprised when you kissed me because I thought you hated me and I was confused about my feelings towards you and I, honestly.... I just want to be friends."

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May's POV

"I just want to be friends." Ashton looked up and my heart dropped.

"Me too." I smiled weakly but my mind is racing inside. I could feel Ashton's eyes fixed on me.

"Great." 

I guess this wasn't a date after all.

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I HAVE A PLAN I PROMISE DONT KILL ME PLS