There's a Ghost ↝ Lashton

chapter 2 - stranger things

"Yes! No more stupid Marmite!" Ashton shouted, looking down at the box in his hands - a postage box filled with jars of Vegemite. He wore a huge dimpled smile on his face at the sight of the spread. People around the post office next to his building were giving him strange looks like he was way too excited. He probably was. Besides, they were probably offended if they liked Marmite as much as Aussies liked Vegemite, but Ashton didn't think anyone liked anything as much as Aussies liked Vegemite. There lay a note inside the box as well. Ashton put the cardboard box on the floor and picked up the note, reading it with a smile.

hello darling,

thought you could use this. i know you secretly miss Vegemite more than you miss us. make sure you share it with Cal. love you!!

- mum, dad, Lauren, and HaRRY

seriously, SKYPE US MORE!!!

- Lauren

He laughed reading the kind note from his family and the way they all signed it. He really did miss them all. His parents, yes, but he missed his siblings even more because they were more like friends than siblings to him. Lauren and Harry were both at such important ages and he felt like he was missing out. He couldn't be there to watch them grow up and it hurt. He missed being able to confide in his sister about his problems and having sleepovers with his brother when he was sad.

He was just about to put the note back when he was startled by a voice beside him.

"Wow. Someone in Australia really loves you." the familiar voice deadpanned. Ashton looked up to see Michael with wide eyes. He carried a few envelopes in his hand that he put on the counter to be mailed out.

"Yeah, they do." Ashton smiled thinking about his family. It was probably Harry and Lauren's idea to send Vegemite all the way to England just for their picky older brother.

"Are you heading upstairs?" Michael pointed toward the door. "Would you like to walk with me?"

"Yeah, sure!" Ashton answered as he smiled at Michael. He picked up his box of Vegemite and walked toward the door that the other boy held open for him. He squinted as he walked outside. It was around noon and the sun was shining bright, which was quite a surprise. Ashton didn't think he had seen the sun since he got here.

"So, is it a girlfriend or something? Who sent you that..." Michael tried to start a conversation. This was the first time the two were alone and they quickly realized they didn't know much about each other, so it was kind of difficult to start a conversation.

"Girlfriend? No, no, it's from my family." Ashton explained and Michael just nodded. "My girlfriend actually broke up with me when I told her I was moving. She didn't like the idea of long distance." Ashton coughed awkwardly. He felt like he should be upset about his ex-girlfriend, but he was more relieved. He had dated a lot of people in the past, but rarely felt a good connection with anyone. Every time he got into a remotely serious relationship, it would feel so temporary to him. He never had anyone, girlfriend or boyfriend, who he felt he could spend the rest of his life with. Maybe he was just too young for that.

"And how about you? Are you seeing anyone?" Ashton questioned, accidentally sounding like he himself was interested in the boy. He cringed internally and felt a little awkward, but Michael didn't seem to notice.

"Nope, not at the moment. Although-" he stopped himself, biting his lip and he looked as if he was seriously pondering something.

"You alright, mate?"

"Yeah, I just... Is your friend - is Calum single?" Michael looked nervous as he spoke carefully. Ashton laughed, throwing his head back as he stopped walking. Just standing there laughing. Could Michael really not see that Calum was clearly interested in him? There was no way Calum was always that blushy and smiley with everyone. Yeah, Michael was attractive, but he really wasn't the most observant guy in the world.