Lost Without Them (Ashton Irwin Story)

Just can't catch a break

Storms POV

When I wake up the next day it is barely daylight outside. Now that I'm awake, I literally have to continue my day like this. It's not that I don't want to sleep, it's just that I literally can't go back to sleep. Once I'm awake, I stay that way.

I hadn't planned to wake this early – just past five in the morning according to my phone – but even if I could go back to sleep. I would rather not in case I just go back to the nightmares I have just awoken from. I am quite glad I barely make noise when I wake up from my nightmares. If the boys found out that I am as messed up as I am, they would probably never leave me alone.

Anyway, I get up reluctantly, seeing no point in sticking around. I hesitantly glance down at my sleepwear, consisting of an oversized sweater and some shorts, wondering to myself whether I should change or if I will be able to get away with wearing this. After thinking over my options, I decide that I am going to risk it. The only other people here are four guys who, if they are anything like Michael, I won't even see until noon at the earliest when they wake up.

I creep down the stairs so that I don't wake the boys; I have to be careful as I can't remember if anyone is a light sleeper. As I reach the bottom of the stairs and let out a relieved breath, a voice startles me.

"I doubt you could wake those two up even with an air horn right now. Sorry for making you jump by the way." I look around quickly and spot Calum sitting in one of the chairs with a small smile on his face and his phone in his hand.

"Oh, I didn't think anyone would be awake so I..." I trail off; pulling the hem of my sweater down even though I'm pretty sure nothing can be seen. You can't blame a girl for being self-conscious in a house full of guys.

"Hey, you're up early. Is everything alright?" A cheery voice speaks up from close by, making me jump yet again. What is it with these boys and making me jump? Of course, Calum finds this funny.

I glare at Calum, not in the mood for jokes this early in the morning. I turn to face Ashton, who seems to have appeared out of the kitchen, ignoring his original question, and ask, "How come you two are up so early?"

Ashton, cheery as ever, answers. "Oh, we usually do our workout on tour earlier than those two so we are used to getting up earlier. Plus, jetlag makes us two wake up earlier and those two end up sleeping later than usual."

I look him over quickly. He is far too awake for my liking. How is anyone this awake and cheery at this time in the morning? So, maybe I'm not much of a morning person myself but this is just ridiculous to me.

I do the same to Calum. Now he is a completely different story. With his sluggish mood and slightly glazed eyes, you can tell he is tired.

"You, mister, should still be in bed. You stayed up late to clean up after everyone even though it was unfair. Whereas he... "I point to Ashton,"... fell asleep halfway through our third movie so it is more acceptable for him to be awake right now."

He waves me off, "I'm fine, Storm. Like I said, we work tired on a regular basis. It's nothing I'm not used to. Once I have had my coffee I will be fine for the day. Jetlag is just being a bitch and making it look worse than it really is. Which reminds me, I haven't had my coffee yet. Oh dearest Storm, I know you keep some around for me. Where is it?" I raise an eyebrow and cross my arms at him, not amused by him changing the subject and then forgetting his manners. "Please?" He finally says.

"In the cupboard above the kettle, where it has always been." I state. He looks a little guilty for having forgotten but scurries off into the kitchen quickly for his coffee without another word.