Inciting Incident [A.I]

F O U R T E E N .

"Ow, Ash." TJ moans.

"Ok baby I'm sorry."

"TJ?" Luke calls entering the apartment.

"Shit, what the fuck?" Ash mutters.

"I'll be two minutes!" TJ calls.

"We have to finish this later." Ash whispers, climbing off the bed.

"You wait in here." TJ mumbles, pulling on some shorts and making her way out of the room.

"So, there's this film coming out at the cinemas this week and I need someone to go with." Luke says, generating conversation.

"Aaannddd..." TJ rolls her eyes.

"I need someone to go with."

"Your roommates?" TJ suggests.

"Meh."

"Ask them?"

"No." Luke pouts.

"Why?" TJ asks.

"I don't know, I've booked tickets tho." He grins.

"What day?"

"Saturday." Luke smiles.

"I'm busy." TJ sighs.

"I haven't told you a time?"

"Mums charity thing."

"Where my invite?"

"Erm, probably in my bag." TJ shrugs.

"Seriously?" Luke whines.

"You don't have to come, just go to the cinema."

"Have you got another date?" Luke gasps, faking hurt.

"No, I was hoping to meet someone there who's also living the lonely life." TJ shrugs. "Haven't you met anyone yet?" She frowns.

"No." Luke pouts.

"Awh, poor Lucas." TJ chuckles, reaching up and ruffling his hair.

"Shtop it." Luke frowns. "So how's you and Ash?"

"There is no me and Ash." TJ sighs.

"So you're still looking for a partner?"

"No."

"But-"

"It's complicated." TJ sighs.

"Anyway I have a date to get ready for." Luke smirks.

"But you said-"

"I might have lied." He chuckles.

"Luuukkkeee." TJ groans, following him to the door.

"See yah tomorrow Taylah."

"It's TJ!" She mutters, slamming the door. "Ash, he's gone." TJ calls.

"I heard." He chuckles, walking out of the bedroom in just his boxers. "Now, where were we?" He smirks, backing her against the wall, just as the doorbell goes. "If this is that fucker from next door he's-"

"Hello mum." TJ smiles, opening the door. Ash's eyes widen as he rushes to his room to make himself look more presentable.

"I'm not staying long, I was just wondering if you're still coming Saturday?" She asks as Ash makes his way out.

"Of course." She smiles.

"And who is this? Will he be your date?" She asks, looking Ash up and down.

"This is Ash, my roommate."

"Will he be accompanying you?" She asks curtly.

"I haven't asked him." She shrugs.

"Well?" She asks looking at Ash.

"I'll talk to him about it."

"Thanks dear, see you then, possibly you too." she grins before walking out.

. . .

"TJ are you sure I have to wear a tie?" Ash groans.

"You don't even have to come." TJ snaps.

Ash was sat fiddling with his skinny tie as TJ sat at her dressing table, perfecting the arch of her eyebrow.

"Calm down." he sighs, standing up and making his way towards her, carefully rubbing her shoulders as of she was about to break.

"I'm sorry." She sighs. "It's just these are so important to my mum and everything has got to be perfect and Mason's gonna be there." Throughout the sentence TJ's voice just got quieter and quieter, until it was just a whisper.

"Wait so do I have to act like your boyfriend or?"

"I don't know, if you want to but you don't have to." TJ shrugs.

"Is my girl ready?" Ash asks smiling as she stands up.

"Yes." TJ smiles, blushing lightly.

"I'm liking these heels." He chuckles, spinning her around. "Wait, if I'm your 'boyfriend' your dad isn't gonna ask me questions is he?" He frowns.

"Probably, just tell him about the business and stuff." She shrugs, pressing a kiss to his lips. "Woah, you shaved." she laughs, cupping his jaw.

"Mhm." Ash nods.

"Your jaw line looks every stronger now." TJ grins.

"Yeah, whatever, lets go." Ash chuckles.