Rhythm || Ashton Irwin

Chapter Forty-Two

Standing in the small living room of Calum and Luke's apartment, I sipped on my drink(non alcoholic, in support of Cassie, of course) as the room filled with more and more people. Some faces I knew from school and some I didn't. Cassie was off greeting and being a good hostess, as always, while I stood there awkwardly by myself.

"How is it possible that the Lauren Chandler is at a party and not socializing?!" A smile growing on my face, I turned finding Calum by my side, a wide smile on his face as he stood there glowing from the positive atmosphere around him.

"Well, it's hard when she doesn't know half of the people and her both of her partners in crime are M.I.A, wouldn't you agree?"

"Hmm, indeed," Calum mused, swirling his drink around as if it were a scotch glass, faking sophistication. Shaking my head, I opened my arms, inviting him in for a hug.

"How was your audition?!" Sighing, Calum took a long sip of his drink before dropping his shoulders and looking back at me, a frustrated look on his face.

"It was alright, I could have totally done better. Part of me thinks my cello wasn't tuned right, my movements could have been smoother, I just, I don't know..."

"Don't even worry about it! I'm sure you did fine, and, even if they don't pick you, who cares! They're missing out on a great cellist." He honestly had no reason to worry, he was a great musician and any orchestra would be lucky to have him.

"But I am! This is a really good job and it pays really well. I just want to be able to support for my kid, you know?" He was so concerned about whether or not he would get this job and I couldn't help but raise my eyebrow at him.

"Calum, uh, you know who the mother of your child is right? You know you'll never have to worry about being able to provide for them?" Laughing lowly, Calum shook his head, a straight smile on his face.

"It's more than that, Lauren. I know I'll never have to worry, but..." Calum's gaze travelled to the other side of the room. Following his gaze, I could see he was looking at Cassie, smiling and happy as ever, before returning his attention to me, "But, no matter how well off they are, no matter how much they'll have, I want my kid to know that I tried." Nodding my head, I understood.

"You're right, that's very noble of you, Calum," He laughed, shaking his head at me.

"I guess you're right. I mean, it's just like Ashton," immediately, my face went from a full on smile to complete seriousness.

"What? What do you mean?" Calum's face turned just as fast as mine, obviously put off by my question, "Calum, what do you mean you're being noble like Ashton?!"

"Well, you know, how he's working non stop to try and pay for his tuition and all..."

"And why is he doing that?! He's got a scholarship for that." Furrowing his brow, Calum gave me a questioning look before finally speaking.

"He lost his scholarship," my heart sank. Was this why he'd been acting so weird lately? Or why he picked up smoking again- "Didn't he tell you?"

"No," I blurted out, not even thinking about what I was saying, "how long? I mean, has this been a thing for long? Why- why didn't he tell me?" I was so confused. Why hadn't he told me, he should know I would have been more than happy to help him out.

"Well, you know how he is, he's pretty stubborn when it comes to money and financial help." Calum laughed as if it were some old joke.

"No, I don't..." I could feel my heart sink more and more by the second. I had no idea about any of this, I couldn't help but wonder what else I didn't know about him.