― UNKNOWN NUMBER! (IRWIN)

16

She had put the pieces together. I knew right as she stopped laughing. She saw right through me as if I was transparent.

Calum asked if she was ok, noticing she had stopped her adorable laughter. All she said was it hurt to laugh.

They believed her, but I knew better.

One by one the boys left. Luke went to get some food from the cafeteria. Michael went to the cafeteria after Luke. Calum went to the bathroom.

I was alone with Nikki. She was quiet. I was quiet. You could cut the tension with a knife.

"Ashton,"

"Nikki,"

"What the hell did you say!?"

"I said what I knew,"

"Don't be such a smart ass! Gosh, just tell what you said to them because this is my life and you're fucking it up pretty good at the moment!"

I flinched at her harsh tone. I looked down at my hands silently.

"ASHTON I FUCKING SWE—"

Calum walked in. He froze just as we did.

"Um, sorry, I'll just go to the cafeteria with the other guys,"

She smiled at him. She smiled at him.

"Okay,"

She replied so cheerfully it was hard to believe that she was yelling seconds ago.

"Why don't you go with him, Ashton?"

"What?"

"Why don't you go with Cal?"

Then I realized she hadn't called me Ash since I'd arrived. She called him Cal. I didn't like it.

"Come on, Ashton,"

I stood up abruptly. The chair screeched against the floor, causing Nikki to plug one ear. I would've apologized, but she knew what she was doing to me.

As I walked out the door behind Calum. I heard a goodbye from Nikki.

"See you later Caligator! Oh yeah and bye Ashton,"