As It Seems

Ch. 4- I wish I knew the answer

That could NOT be good.

I really couldn’t tell what I was feeling in my chest. It couldn’t be jealousy, I barely knew the kid. Definitely didn’t like him. It might have been worry that I felt. I had my suspicions that Ashton was flirting with me. Was he interested in me that way? I hoped not. Not with Alainey drooling over him.

She didn’t even mention anything about what went on between Ashton and me earlier. She must’ve been too love-struck to notice. Instead, she went back to talking about how cute he was.

“Come on, let’s get out of the bathroom before they think we’re having stomach problems or something.” The last thing I needed was more embarrassment today.

We walked back to our chairs to find that 5SOS was already practicing their set.

I turned to Niall and said “they’re really good!”

“Oh yeah.” He laughed, “I’m a huge fan. The joke is that I’m obsessed with dem. But can ye’ blame me? They’re awesome lads!” I guess that joke from earlier makes sense. Niall was the typical fan girl, watching in awe as his favorite musicians rocked out right in front of him. Which was also sort of ironic, cuz, well, 5SOS was opening for HIM, yet he was the one fangirling.

What a normal, down to Earth guy.

We sat and watched them finish their set, applauding loudly at the end.

It was One Directions turn, and the boys got up and walked to their spots on stage. Calum, Ashton, Luke and Michael made their way back to the chairs where we were sitting. Ashton, of course, took Niall’s seat. Right next to me.

“So what’d’ya think?” he asked, smiling proudly. He must’ve seen the little standing ovation we gave him. I wonder if he saw Alainey drooling while staring at him.

“It was… really good! I’m impressed.”

His already cocky smile grew even wider, as if he’d been working forever to perfect their act just so he could hear me say that.

“Thank you” he still beamed, “but I’m sure it wasn’t half as good as yours. Sorry, by the way. That we had to miss watching you girls. I tried to get the lads moving from the hotel but they took forever. But if you’re half as good as you are in your videos, then you must’ve killed it.”

I had to admit, hearing him say that brought a natural smile to my face.

“Wait… you’ve seen our videos?” I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I guess I was.

“Well I mean, after hearing how good you were at faking a British accent, I figured you must’ve been talented at singing. So I did what any guy would do and checked you out.”

Before I could respond, he added “on YouTube! Of course.”

We both laughed. Yep, there was something about that laugh. I don’t know what it was, but there was something about it. It brought a smile to my face.

I shook this thought out of my head quickly as I saw Alainey make her way down from talking with Calum at the end of the row of chairs over to us. She looked at me, then at Ashton, and then back to me, seeing as she was too nervous to keep eye contact with him.

I never got that. Alainey was absolutely gorgeous, but she was always self-conscious. She never saw how many guys would drool over her. She never understood how she could get anything or anyone she wanted just by flashing her smile. Nope. Instead, she was shy and scared of boys. A little insecure, but in that normal teen girl way. I was really surprised that Ashton wasn’t, like, ready to wait on her hand and foot. I wonder if he’d go after her if he knew she was interested….