Crash {a.i}

Y O U N G

we learned how to love when

we were young and still together

There were some people in this world who you could just love and love and love no matter what. For Ashton, his family would be one. They got on his nerves at times, but he loved them to bits. Another would be his drums, even though they weren't exactly people. And Luke too because he was such a great friend.

The other might be Sophia.

Sophia. Perfect Sophia with her quick wit, sparkling brown eyes, short, bright red hair, and a smile that drove Ashton nearly insane. The minute she came into Ashton's life, he knew it would change everything. How could he not? Sophia was something else; so permanent and so magnetic.

What was weird was that Ashton couldn't remember life before Sophia. Everything else just seemed to fade away once she came in.

...

"Did you talk to Anne about Valentine's Day?" Ashton asked Luke, looking over from his locker. Luke was leaning against the locker beside him, texting on his phone.

He barely looked up to answer. "Sort of. She was busy, but I was kind of hoping the two of us could do it together. You know, team up?"

Ashton groaned. "It's not that big of a deal, is it? You just had to ask whether or not we could get some more wages during Valentine's Day. I don't think she'd say no. The place is packed that day and the week before that. We're going to be there for hours as it is. Might as well get some extra cash out of it."

"It's hard asking Anne for things," Luke said. Anne was their boss. The two of them worked at her flower shop a few days a week and while they enjoyed it, they wanted to make some extra money.

"I know what you mean," Ashton agreed. "She's so nice, I feel like I'd hurt her feelings if I asked for more money."

"Plus, I haven't even asked Lucy if she'd mind," Luke continued. "She might want to do something."

Ashton stilled for a second, his history textbook in hand, and thought about what Luke had just said. If it was Valentine's Day, that meant he had to do something as well. He'd been dating this girl from his English class. Her name is Chloe Berry and she was quite possibly the hottest girl in their school, maybe even this state, if he knew any better. She was super popular as well, which only shocked him even more when she agreed to go out with him when he asked about two months ago right before their class began.

"Well, maybe Chloe wants to do something, too," Ashton, said slowly. Then he shook his head no, grimacing. "I need money if I'm going to be able to do anything. We still need to ask her."

Luke groaned again. "Like I said, I'll ask, but I'm not doing it fucking alone."

"When should we ask?"

"Probably before Valentine's Day so she's not overwhelmed."

"True and that's not for a few weeks. I think we've got time," Ashton agreed before looking out into the crowded hallway. He spotted a horde of girls fresh from the shower, walking out of the locker room. Soccer and cheerleading practice must have just let out. "I think your girlfriend is about to come out."

Luke perked up, looking out into the crowd and smiled wide when he spotted Lucy and Sophia walking over. Behind them were Calum Hood, Michael Clifford, football players and the definition of teenage hormones gone crazy. They were eyeing the girls walking out of practice in their shorts and catcalling a few. They knew better than to do that to Lucy and Sophia because they'd kick their asses before any of them could say anything. Lucy ran to Luke, engulfing the boy in her arms, while Sophia staggered behind, pushing past people.