Gender [cake au] ✔

chapter twenty-three - incentive

Chapter 23

Even though Ashton thought Luke needed to know about Calum's lies, he knew that Dean unintentionally breaking it to him wasn't the best way of going about it. Ideally he wanted Calum to tell Luke himself; that way, it'd be less difficult for everyone.

Luke looked up at him with confusion. He didn't understand why Ashton had suddenly appeared like that, or what was so important that he needed to be disturbed for. "What happened?"

This put Ashton in a tight spot, but he smiled wide and said the first thing that came to his mind. "I like Michael!" Then he covered his mouth with his hand, forgetting that they were in the playground – everyone heard. A silence followed, before everyone went 'meh' and got on with their lives, whilst Ashton's heart was beating at double speed.

"Jeez, did you really need to make such a huge commotion about that?"

"Yes, now come outside with me, I need to talk to you about something!"

Very reluctantly, Luke trailed behind his blushing friend, having said a brief goodbye to Dean who was still as blank as ever. When they reached a hidden spot further up on the field, he asked, "So what did you need to talk to me about? I was in the middle of a really important conversation, you know..."

Ashton nodded, replying, "I promise it won't take long. But basically... well... um... how should I tell him? Like... should I just go up to him and tell him, or what?"

"I dunno," Luke mumbled with a shrug. "I don't usually get myself into these situations."

"Aren't you like, in love with Cally's brother though?"

It was Luke's turn to go red. Had Caitlin told everyone already, despite promising not to say anything? He seriously hoped she hadn't, because he wasn't ready to tell the world yet.

See, it wasn't just about being judged by others. He didn't give a shit about what people thought, but at the same time he was scared that people would hate him, or stop being friends with him. Sure, people like Dean didn't get bullied or anything, but they had their place in society. For example, Dean was really good at football – but Luke? He just flirted with people and tried to do well in school but ended up failing anyway. He was also notorious in his family for stealing other people's girlfriends it seemed, though it had only happened once.

"Um, Luke? Cally's brother?"

"Huh? Oh right. Yeah I guess I like him."

"Exactly! So think – how would you tell him that you liked him?"

Luke smirked in confidence. "Corner him onto the bed. And kiss him really sexily, and shove your fingers real deep inside his ass... that'll sort you."

In Ashton's head, crazy thoughts were swirling around – images of him and Michael kissing, in bed, and doing naughty stuff... he had to slap himself to calm himself down, and even then he couldn't get over the fact that they might be together.

"But that's way too raunchy!" he stammered. "I couldn't possibly..."

Luke placed a firm hand on Ashton's shoulder. "I believe in you, mate. You can do it yeah?"

He turned on his heel and started making for the door to get back inside, but was once again held back – this time however, by Caitlin. Caitlin, oh Caitlin.

"Luke," she began, with a sternness in her tone.

"Y-yeah...?"

She sent a stony glare his way. "Did you really do all that with Cally's brother?"