why he left

5. Break Even

Ashton Irwin didn't think much when it came to certain situations.

Like that time when he told Niall Horan that he'd lost his mind.

Which had happened exactly thirty seconds ago.

"No Ash this is serious." Niall insisted.

"This is crazy. Why can't you just tell me what's happening?"

"I did." Niall replied exasperated.
"Look you can't tell anyone this. Act normal, I'm gonna go get the boys. You can listen to it later." Niall continued sternly.

Ashton was stunned, flabbergasted, even scared.

This was it.

Niall had gone absolutely bonkers.

---

"What's wrong Ash?" Asked Calum as he sat next to him on the bar stool.

"Nothing." Ashton said quickly.

"Is it, you know, her?" Calum asked carefully. Ashton frowned at him.

"No. We're fine." He replied shortly. Calum sighed before getting up to disappear into the dance floor. Ashton tried to follow him with his eyes until he noticed that Niall was staring straight at Ashton. He quickly looked down at his drink.

"Ashton c'mon here," Harry smiled cheerily, pulling him into a corner outside.

"Is Niall okay?" Ashton blurted out, making Harry pause.

"Uh, I think so?" Harry muttered.

"Oh, so what's up?" Ashton asked, blinking around at the parking lot.

"We're gonna go for a little ride Ash." Niall said, from the car closest to them. Ashton jumped.

"What the fuck guys?" He asked angrily. "Harry, really?" Harry nodded, shooting him an apologetic look.

"Please just go, it'll be worth it I promise." Harry answered quietly nudging him towards the car. Ashton shot him a glare before he climbed into the car.

"Okay just hear me out Ashton." Niall said as he pulled out of the parking lot, ignoring Ashton's pointed glare.

"Look, he left you this for a reason."

"Have you heard it?" Ashton asked him. Niall nodded.

"Just tell me what's on it then." Ashton begged.

"It doesn't work like that. You have to hear it for himself. "

"Fine then, play it."

"What?" Niall asked, staring at him surprise before returning his attention to the road.

"You want me to hear it right? Then play it."

"You have to listen to it when you're alone."

"No, absolutely not. I wanna hear it now." Ashton demanded, aware that he sounded like a bratty twelve year old girl.

"It's against the rules."

"What rules? He's not here. It doesn't matter." Ashton grumbled. Niall stared at him through the rearview mirror.

"I don't think we should."

"Look, you've heard it before what does it matter now?" Ashton pleaded. "I don't want to hear it alone."

"Fine." Niall answered, defeated. He plugged in the aux cord into the iPod and pressed play.

"Hello?- Can you hear me? Shit-"
---