eighteen ➳ punk a.i.

Chapter Four

My breath hitches in my throat and my body is frozen still. I never would expect someone so humble as Calum to be friends with a punk like Ashton. They're polar opposites.

"Jess, do you see anything you might want?" Calum's voice awakes me from my thoughts and I turn my full attention to the menu rests in my shaky hands. I can see Ashton's famous smirk plastered on his face so I pull the menu higher to block my view from the strange punk sitting across from me. 

"I...I think I'll ha-" my voice is immediately cut off by someones leg brushing mine continuously. I suspect it was Ashton and  I move my legs closer to my side of the booth. He scoots his leg closer and higher that time, earning a scowl and a scoff from me. His damn smirk is still painted onto his face and it's making me furious. I slam my hands down onto the table and excuse myself to the bathroom. Calum looks worried but lets me go.

I'm not the kind of girl to let people get away with things in that particular topic especially after what happened three years ago. I may be quiet, but I do have a voice.

I pace back and fourth in the empty bathroom and tug at my hair in frustration. I don't know why he's chosen me to intimidate; I did nothing to him. He's terrifying, yes, but not enough to scare me to the point of letting this all slide. 

I walk over to the mirror and turn the water on. I lightly splash my face with the cool water to hopefully shake my thoughts away until later. I turn the water off, dry my hands, and head out the door back to the booth.

I sit back down next to Calum and take my menu back into my hands. 

"I got you a water and a coke. I wasn't sure what you wanted so I just got both," Calum speaks and I smile at the sweet gesture. His eyes light up with a spark and he looks down with a massive grin on his face. I never noticed how attractive under the dim light of the restaurant. The light contours his cheek bones perfectly, making them stand out even more then they already do.

"Thank you, Calum," I look back over at Ashton and for once his smirk is replaced with rage, almost like he's jealous. His grip on his glass has turned his knuckles white and his jaw is clinched. He looks deeply into my eyes, as well as Calum's but I'm not sure why. He has nothing to be jealous of.

"Ashton, is everything alright?" Calum looks at his worried friend and furrows his eyebrows in confusion.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Ashton shoots a sarcastic grin towards us and shoves the glass towards the middle of the table. Calum brushes it off and Ashton turns his attention towards me. The corners of his mouth tug to a devilish grin and chills run up my spine. I don't know why he creeps me out this much. His vibe gives me offsetting thoughts that I don't want to put my attention to.

"So," Calum goes off about his career plans and class but neither Ashton or myself pay any attention. All I can think about his eyes tracing and studying my face and actions. I grow uncomfortable and out of place. I look behind Ashton's head to see the sun sinking into the orange stained sky.

"Calum, this has been lovely, but I really have to go. I'm sorry," I get up from my place on the booth and almost run out of the small resturant, not wanting to hear their responses. I catch a cab and head towards my apartment and get as faw away from Ashton as possible at the moment.

The elevator dings, signaling I've made it to my floor. I run down the hall down to my door and and I quickly unlock it. I rush inside, slam the door shut, and fall to the floor. The emptiness settles in and I'm frozen. I cradle my knees to my chest and sit there in silence. Something about Ashton makes the horrid thoughts come back and I break into a million pieces inside. He has that same devilish smirk and vibe that brings all the memories that took years to lock up come back in matter of seconds.

A knock at the shakes me from my trance as I stand up. I quickly wipe the few salty tears away that had escaped my eyes and smooth my top and fix my beanie. I open the door to see Ashton leaning against the door frame and his eyes scanning up and down my body. I grow insecure and cross my arms over my chest. "H-how do you know where I live?" I stutter in shock.

"Easy. You aren't that hard to catch, babe," His thick accent echos through the empty hallway and he takes a step closer to me. I take one back, keeping the space between us.

"Whatever you want from me, you aren't getting it so I suggest you leave. Now." I stand my ground and start to close the door when a large hand blocks my way. I roll my eyes and he shakes his head and lightly chuckles. "Stop laughing and just get the hell out of here," I slightly raise my voice and he immediately locks his jaw and his stare becomes intense. 

"Do not ever talk to me like that again, got it?" He snaps. He takes a step closer, closing the gap between us. His height towers over mine and a lump in my throat forms. I try to back away but his hand harshly grabs my wrist and I wince in pain. "Do not ever run away from me," His eyes never leave mine and I'm frozen.  

I can't help but notice how highly attractive he is, but his cocky attitude instantly ruins it. His cell phones and sighs in frustration. He lets go of my wrist and excuses himself and walks down the hall to answer. I'm surprised he actually used somewhat of a source of manners but I take it. I slam the door shut and lock it. I run to the other side of the room and back up against the wall. 

"Jess, open the damn door!" Ashton constantly pounds on the door but I ignore him. My breathing in heavy and I sink down to the floor again and just sit there, staring at the closed door. I don't know what has him chasing after me. I don't want to be his, or anyone's for that matter. I don't believe in love. Love is stupid, overrated, and not worth the pain.

lol this isn't my best chapter but whatever. I had a hard time writing tonight and I just couldn't settle on anything. sorry for the boring chapter but enjoy xx