Hazel Eyes | Lashton

Chapter Five

"Now if you never shoot you'll never know, and if you never eat you'll never grow. You've got a pretty kinda dirty face." -Robbers (the 1975)

---

Ashton loved his little home. Maria is letting him live in the loft above her bakery and Ashton loves it. The loft if bright with natural light and an open layout-perfect for writing. These are all of the things he was telling his mother, Anne.

"It's beautiful mum. Everything I ever wanted and more."

"Have you met any new people? Please tell me it's not just you and Maria."

"Mum, I can't just, walk up to someone. I'll freak them out. I'll just let them come to me."

"Flower, you know that's not always going to work, right? You need to take the first step sometimes."

A pause, "... Are we still talking about friends?"

Anne laughs lightly, "Well I haven't heard about this mystery boy in a few days. Any thing new on 'em."

Ashton grumbled a response tugging at his caramel hair and fixing the crown of flowers on his head.

"I'm joking, I'm joking!"

"I know mum." Ashton glanced at the clock by the wall and shuffled around looking for his other van.

"I gotta get going mum. Coffee calls 'n all."

"Don't forget to call me tomorrow. This is the highlight of my day, need I remind you."

"Alright, alright. No need to lie." A bubble of laughter coming from his lips.

"Love you, mum."

"Love you too, flower."

---

On Thursdays, the bakery was open until one in the morning. This was mostly because Maria wanted to "subtly" give Ashton more money, but also because Ashton loved the quiet.

Usually Ashton got business men as women ordering a coffee before quickly leaving. Sometimes he got a college student in need of an energy booster. So, when a girl with blond hair with bright pink streaks comes stumbling in, blue eyes wet and makeup smeared, Ashton immediately wants to know why she was here and what was wrong.

"This is the only place close enough home without me getting stolen. Please tell me you have chocolate." The way she's looking at him and her way of speaking causes Ashton to crack a smile and hold up a finger.

"I'll be right back." He's disappeared behind the ovens and is searching for the good chocolate. Walking back, chocolate in hand, Ashton takes in what she's wearing. Shorts, a t-shirt, and floral combat boots with goose bumps appearing on her light skin. There was a messenger back around one shoulder.

"Wait, would you rather have hot chocolate?" The smiles she gives Ashton is so melancholy that all he can do is stare.

"Yesohmygodsthankyousomuch."

She says the phrase so quickly, he puts a little pep in his step. Ashton is off whipping up what he called "Ashton's chocolate-recovery". He came up with the name himself.

"It's close to twelve on a Thursday night, and I'm in a bakery drinking joy in a cup with a hella fine gay guy." She pauses, holding up her cup toward Ashton, "Cheers, mate."

That has full on Ashton laughing. Head thrown back, eyes squeezed shut, hand clutching his stomach.

"Well you're right about the gay part in that sentence. I'm Ashton." She smiles, holding out her hand.

"Harlow. If you say shit about my name I will not hesitate to break your dick."

Ashton is walking around from behind the counter and motions for Harlow to follow him to the booth, laughing at her wording, once again.

"No I like it. It's unique. Is it English? You don't sound English."

"English relatives. Michigan family. I don't know why I got stuck with it. This names too cool for me."

"Erm, how did you know I was-"

"Gay?" Ashton nods and Harlow continues. "You have a flowers in your hair and a big sweater on. I dunno man, screams gay to me."

"Oh."

"Hey Ash, it's no big deal. I know more about gay stuff then straight stuff. Why did I just say that? Um, you don't have to reply to that." Slowly Harlows' tears were drying and hot chocolate cups were emptying. Ashton studies her face, trying to figure out where her head's at.

"Are you okay?" Ashton suddenly blurts, cheeks turning pink as he clamped a hand over his mouth. "Oh my god I'm sorry I blurt things out sometimes."

"No it's fine. Um, I don't really know, really. I just broke up with my... Well my now ex. I just sort of ran out. I'm horrid at confrontation." Ashton nods in understand because yep, been there done that.

"It's just- I really like this guy, yeah? And we make out and go on dates and whatever but he treats me like a guy. I told him once 'Stop calling me dude. We make out sometimes. It's weird.' Those weren't even my original words- I got them from a tv show. So he goes 'okay, buddy.'"

"Seriously? He called you dude?"

"Yep. Even talking in front of his parents."

"Are you serious?" Harlow nods. They look at each other and laugh another real laugh.

They're both imitating the guy in between fits of giggles- similar versions of "dude, I love you".

"You know what? I deserve someone better than that. I'm a strong, independent artist. I don't need no man."

"You paint?"

"Yeah. I also draw portraits. What do you do? You're obviously into something art-like."

"I write stories about this guy that I saw once." Once said aloud, Ashton realizes how stalker-ish that sounded.

"Ooh was he cute? Did you talk to him? Have you seen him again?"

"Yes, no, and yes. I see him during rush hour mostly, so I can't get off work."

"Wow, that sucks."

"Not really. I'm scared to meet him because in my mind he's everything I need him to be. What if he doesn't fulfill that?"

"That's a risk you've just gotta take."

"How though? I've only had one boyfriend, and we're friends now."

"Look, Ashton. Dating is a lot like trying on dresses. You find qualities of each dress you try on and look for a dress to fulfill that. Then, once you find your perfect dress, you wear the fuck out of that dress. You grab that dress in hold on tight. That dress is perfect even if you don't like the buttons. That's one minor detail. Do yo understand me?"

"Yeah. I get you."

+++

I'm sure that was boring as fuck for you peeps who want the gay. Sorry. Harlow is essential for Ashton. She's vry important.

How do you guys like Harlow? Is she okay? Let me know pls.

It's one am and I'm sleep deprived :-) farewell wonderful peeps.

Laters