Washed Up ≫ A.I

Chapter [33]

FLASHBACK CHAPTER
[Ashton Irwin]

The man in the tight navy jacket took our passports and stamped them under his desk. His eyes adverted down at them both and he raised a brow several times. I took a nervous peak over at Alana waited for her to look back. She didn't, her eyes were just lit up with an excited glitter inside as her hands folded over each other nicely.

The man cleared his throat and I looked up to notice him handing me back the passports, "You two have a wonderful trip." He hummed before giving us both a friendly wave. I took them from him slowly as the knots twisted in my stomach. Why was I so nervous? Nothing is wrong, nothing is going to happen I know that for a fact.

"Thank you." Alana piped up in her English accent and hooked her arm under mine before tugging me outside into the sea air. The salt almost burned my eyes so I flicked on my sunglasses and dropped my hand down to take Alana into mine, "I still can't believe you decided on sailing to your mother's on a cruise!" She squeaked, still to overjoyed.

My laugh came out a little unsettling as I reached for her hand instead. I could feel the sweat on my palms and so I dropped them again to wipe off on my black jeans. Alana just looked up at me, her freckles pinching across her nose in curiosity, "Flying is too long and uncomfortable. At least on the water we'll have time to move around and do other things. . ." I come up with something to say and hint at her at least.

"Ashton!" She gasped in a high pitch laugh before swatting me in the chest, "We are going to see your mother soon in the new year, don't be so perverted." She joked.

I grimaced again and pushed my glasses back up my nose before taking us both over to the line. The boarding line was crowded but it seemed to ease my nerves over the other things I was worried about. We were on our way to Australia and this way down under wasn't the cheapest yet it was the most efficient for me of course.

We headed towards the water, taking in the view of the very own cruise ship planted in the water. Los Angeles was bright at this time of day, causing the reflections of the white paint to blind me some more through my sunglasses. Suddenly my arm was tugged at to move faster as Alana hurried towards the docks platform. She and I caught up with the line and waited to board the ship.

Alana instantly began talking again, moving her hands in the air and flashing her golden sticker on her passport in my eyes some more. I looked away not trying to be rude but another conversation seemed to take my attention away at the moment. A poor girl was standing there with another girl, bickering over boarding the ship. She complained about her grades in school or something like that before taking a look over at me. I couldn't catch her face in time as Alana tugged my arm down and I turned to look at her instead.

"Ashton, you're not listening sweetie." Alana laughed, taking my face into her palms and kissing my lips gently. Her dark curls tickled the sides of my head so I pulled away quickly, smiling to cover up her embarrassment.

"Sorry, I guess I'm nervous." I lie while pulling away to find those girls again. They were suddenly gone and I wonder if the one girl ever did get on this ship.

"How are you nervous? You've sailed in Sydney plenty of times before right?" Alana asked again and I couldn't seem to keep track of what thought to keep in my head. "This time isn't any different sweetie."

The line started moving again, "You're right, I'll be fine." I sigh and bend down to kiss her cheek. Alana's go get them attitude went away instantly as soon as we handed in our tickets and boarded the ship. I hadn't realized that I was holding Alana's hand so tight until she forced her fingers out from between mine.

"Ashton, what's bothering you?" She suddenly stopped in the line and pulled me aside to rest ourselves against the decks outer railing of the ship. She leaned me against the back bar and allowed the rest of line to move ahead of us. The back of her hand touched me on the forehead as she looked at me with concern.

"Nothing. . ." I lie again but she doesn't buy it.

I was nervous. In fact I was out of my mind nervous! Alana had no idea how much this trip to my mother's meant to me. It wasn't something special, it was life changing and crucial. She thinks we are just on our way to help her with the security charges before my father reaches her first and yet taking a detour trip on a cruise always seems to be the top question on her list.

Why not fly? It's faster?

That is true but I had it all planned out. This trip was incredibly crucial because proposing to Alana on a plane while on our way to save my mother from my father is not an ideal way to go. Of course I could just wait to propose to her however, I don't believe I have much time. The cruise is romantic and safe, proposing here would make her think that I had no idea. . . no idea that I know about her affair with Kevin. I've known for weeks in fact and instead of breaking up with her, here I am panicking over how to propose to her? It was crazy and I shouldn't even be doing this but I love her. . . no matter what Alana Cambridge is the woman that I will always love.

"I'm fine babe, honestly." I deliver her another lie and kiss her again on the cheek. She lets it slide and slips right back into line behind two girls. The same two girls from the docks in fact.

I swallow nervously and take Alana's hand into mine as one girl looks back at us and smiles. Her eyes were a chocolate shade of brown, perfect for her tan skin. When she looked away Alana nudged me and I looked down again nervously.

"Now don't go leaving me for another woman out here on this ship, you hear me." She whispered playfully. I knew she was joking but it hurt all too much.

"I won't if you don't." I promise a little too sincerely and her eyes shift from happy to confused.

Suddenly I felt nauseous. The look in her eyes gave me doubt, I almost couldn't continue on. This trip was not going to be the right way to handle things. I know the risk I am taking before seeing my mother again but I needed Alana with me. I needed her forever and if a marriage proposal will keep her from leaving me then so be it. And yet at the end of it all. . . I hope Alana is there by my side always.

[A/N]

I know it's short and sucky but I had to give insight about Ashton and Alana's relationship, so this is a bit of a filler chapter I guess and ahh Chashton in this chapter! Let me know what you guys think of course and don't forget to vote! Also this is very important, I only have about 10 more chapters planned for this story. Its crazy that I've been working on this for more than a year! I hope you guys are ready for what's about to come next! Happy Reading -Rae

Chapter Songs:

English Love Affair- 5 Seconds of Summer

Wrapped Around Your Finger- 5 Seconds of Summer