Ready or Not [Ashton Irwin]

Day of The Wedding

“Hurry up!” Ashton shouts as Catherine runs as fast as she can in the high, black heels. Ashton jumps into the driver’s seat and Catherine does the same, getting into the passenger’s side. She looks at Ashton unsure whether she’s making the right decision. Ashton seems to sense that because he grips her hand between their seats and looks directly into her eyes.

“Are you sure you wanna do this?” He asks and it’s the first time in three months – when they first started planning this – that he makes sure she’s okay with it. She knows what she’s in for, and he should’ve checked earlier because now that she thinks of it-

“No,” Catherine whispers out and Ashton’s eyes immediately squeeze shut, just like her father’s had the time Calum – her brother – told them he had a boyfriend at the dinner table. Disappointment is the only word Catherine can use to describe it. Except Ashton looks a little less ashamed than her father did.

It’s silent, Ashton’s silent, doesn’t speak a word as he reopens his eyes. He just stares out the windshield at the still road in front of them, hands now gripping the steering wheel tightly. Catherine’s a little scared he’s going to start driving, forcing her to go along with him, but then his hands release the wheel and, without giving her a second look, he whispers, “Just, go”.

::

Three Months Before The Wedding

“Isn’t it just exciting!?” Calum exclaims, as Catherine releases from their hug. “I can’t wait. Luke said he’s been preparing this since day one-“ of course he has, Catherine thinks, because you’re marrying a nut job “-and I totally trust him on this. I just can’t wait!”

Catherine feels bad because Calum’s so happy, so excited. He looks like he’s going to burst into tears any minute, and Catherine can’t bring herself to feel happy, too. All she can think is disappointment and jealousy. The same two emotions that have been running through her veins the moment she first saw Calum and Luke together.

But nonetheless, she’s his non-biological sister, so she puts on a fake smile and says, “I’m really happy for you,” and then pulls him into a hug once more so she can hide the stubborn scowl that’s insisting to be revealed behind the fake smile.

Calum really does cry that time.

::

“They’re engaged. Did you know this?” Catherine looks up at Ashton, eyebrow raised as her eyes flicker over to the front door, wide open.

“How did you get in?” She ignores Ashton’s question and he doesn’t seem to like it.

“I’m being serious!” He exclaims. “I can’t believe you knew and didn’t even tell me!”

“I didn’t think it was your business,” Catherine tells him, face going emotionless. Ashton sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

“You know fully well that this has as much to do with me than it does to you,” he says, angrily.

“Then maybe we should just stop forcing ourselves into this mess!” Catherine exclaims.

It’s silent and Catherine stares at Ashton, waiting for him to say or do something. He doesn’t look at her, just turns and stomps out of her house, angrily slamming the door. Catherine sighs, she wants to run out after him, but she can’t.

Not anymore.

::

Two Months Before The Wedding