Invisible || Ashton Irwin

Chapter 4

Zoe's POV

We've been walking around town for about three hours now. Calum and Luke haven't let go of me and Ashton is moping behind us.

"Let's get food! I'm hungry." Michael happily walks over to the nearest cafe and the boys drag me along.

"You know I'm not a child. You don't need to drag me along." Calum pulls me over to the booth Michael is sitting in and pushes me in before sitting down himself.

"What are you guys getting?" Michael looks up from his menu with a sparkle in his eyes. Luke pushes Ashton in the booth and traps him in.

"Just the usual." Luke clears his throat and Ashton looks out the window. He looks so funny sitting with these skinny, lanky boys.

"Zoe?" I look from Ashton to my menu to Luke.

"What?"

"What are you getting?" He smiles.

"I'm not sure." I look back down at the menu.

"Good to see you again boys." The old waitress walks over to our table. "Who's this?"

Calum smiles. "This is Zoe. Zoe, this is Rose." She smiles and nods at me. I smile back.

"What are you having today? The usual?"

"The usual for Luke and Ashton." Calum kicks Ashton under the table and his eyes flick to Calum's.

"Yeah." He glares at Calum before looking back out the window. Does he hate me that much?

"Actually Rose, the usual for all of us." She shakes her head and smiles at Calum. He obviously does this often.

"And for you little lady?"

"Probably a salad." Ashton mutters and the other boys stop their conversation.

"Just a burger and fries please."

"Anything to drink?" She writes down my order.

Water, thank you." She smiles at us all before walking away. I lean against the wall and peer over at Luke and Ashton glaring at each other.

"Ashton, what's shoved up your ass?" Michael leans around Luke to get a better look at Ashton. I've obviously annoyed him. He really doesn't want me here.

"Calum? Could you please slide out? I have to go to the bathroom." He quickly slides out and pulls me up. "Thanks." I almost make it to the bathroom when I hear them talking.

"Why did you invite her? She's not part of the band, she's distracting us from practice - she doesn't belong here with us." A shiver runs through my body and I frown. Not now.

I look back at the table to see them all leaning in towards each other. They wouldn't even notice if I left. I look over to the door across the room. It's not in any of their line of sight so I should be fine.

Without thinking it over, I start casually walking for the door. What if they do see me? What if someone else sees me? What will I do? Why do I always do this? I make it to the door and breathe a sigh of relief. I really had nothing to worry about.

"Oh hey, Zia." Not now. The head fakezilla from the other day walks into the café as I'm walking out. "Are you here by yourself?" She tilts her head and gives me a look of pity. Why is she pitying me? I don't need pity!

"Uh.."

"Aw," She pouts. "How sad for you. Are you ever going to get any friends?" She scoffs. "Or a boyfriend." She flicks her hair over her shoulder and smiles to herself. I don't know how to respond to her. I wish I was quick witted.

"Leave her alone, Kelsi." An arm snakes around my waist and I freeze. Who do they think they are just touching me so casually?

Her face falls and her eyes go glossy. Please tell me she isn't going to cry.

"What are you doing Luke? Why are you friends with her?"

"I said leave her alone." I look up at Luke. Thank god for him. His face hardens and she backs down. "Come on." He looks down and smiles at me. I smile back at him and push the door open. Once it closes behind us I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Luke." I smile gratefully at him.

His face stretches into one of his massive smiles. "Anytime." He looks to his left. "Wanna go for a walk?" I nod my head and he grabs my hand. I don't really mind. It's a friendly gesture.

We start walking away from the café and he glances down at me.

"What?" My eyebrows knit together.

"Nothing." We walk in silence until he clears his throat. "Why were you leaving?"

I shrug my shoulders. "Ashton clearly doesn't want me there."

"Yeah, I saw that." he rubs the back of his neck. "I'm really sorry about the way Ashton has been acting. I really don't know why he wouldn't want you there. I mean, you guys are friends, right? Because you were at his house." Crap. I nod my head slowly.

"It's complicated." He nods in response.

"Has he heard you play before?" I roll my eyes. of course he hasn't. What has that got to do with anything?

"No. You weren't even supposed to hear me play. Bloody Calum." He chuckles. "Speaking of you and that spawn of satan, why did you want me to come so badly?"

"I really like you, as a friend. I think you're great at music and I think if we all hung out a little more I could help you be better and you can fuel our egos." He flashes a cheesy grin and laughs.

"Fuel your egos? I can do more than that! I bet you could learn a thing or two from me!" I poke his arm and chest as my smile grows wider.

"Oh really? Wanna bet?" He raises his eyebrow and challenges me.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because then I'll have to spend more time with you!" He spreads his arms wide.

"And?"

"And.. You stink, Luke!" He places the hand that is still clasped with mine over his heart.

"Oh Zoe, how your words kill me on the inside." I pout at him.

"Fine, Luke. I might hang out with you." He does a little dance. "Maybe." I look away from him. "Just to prove you wrong."