5SOS Preferences

Science project - Ashton

Trying hard not to take my eyes from [Y/N], I shakily push my thick rimmed glasses up my nose. Yet again she's invading my thoughts and distracting my mind, but I don't really care. Who cares about assignments when there's someone as beautiful as [Y/N] to think about? Not me, that's for sure.
"Bro, quit staring, she'll notice." Michael warns, appearing out of nowhere. I shake my head in denial despite my crimson cheeks, and begin to stutter out some kind of excuse, but Michael just laughs.
"Give it a rest, Ash, I know how you feel about her. It's not like I'm ever gonna tell anyone. Besides, who would i have to tell anyway?"
He's right. Michael doesn't have friends, only me. Before that we were both alone - he was into computers and I was a nerd. But we became friends over this one game, and it's been like that ever since.
It's a lot easier to survive as a computer geek - it's almost cool, and it has an air of mystery around it. People just laugh at me. I don't think anyone would ever dare to laugh at Michael.
"Hey, look." The black haired boy mumbles, nudging me gently. I follow his eyes to [Y/N], who seems to be heading our way.
Already my body is reacting badly - shaky hands, dry mouth, bright red cheeks... I half stand up, ready to make a quick getaway, but Michael pulls my body back down.
"Chill out," he whispers, glaring at me harshly.
"Hey [Y/N]," he shouts, making my heart jump into my throat.
She smiles and stops next to our table, putting a few books down next to me.
"Hey Michael, what's up?" She grins. How does he know her? How does she know him? My mind is flooded with questions.
"Nothing, I just wanted to introduce you to Ashton."
She shakes her head, her pretty hair glimmering in the sunlight. "I know Ashton! Ashton's great. We went to school together. In fact, I could do with Ashton's help, if he wouldn't mind?"
I can barely believe what I'm hearing. She needs my help? I nod, not risking embarrassing myself by talking.
She smiles this wonderful smile, and it's difficult to contain the way it makes me feel. My heart is bursting, but I've got to keep that on the down low right now.
"Great! I don't suppose you would be my lab partner in chemistry? You know how we've got to do that project? Well I don't like anyone else in the class, so I was hoping I could have you?"
She can definitely have me. I didn't even realise she knew I was in her class. At this point, I don't even care if she's using me to get a better grade, I'd do anything for her. Besides, i know that's not what she's doing - she's not like that. And I know that she doesn't speak to anyone in Chemistry - she just happens to be in my line of sight, so I'd know if she was talking to someone.
"Of c-course." I tell her, managing a small smile. She beams with happiness, mirroring exactly what I'm feeling.
"Thank you so much, Ash. I'll see you soon."
My eyes follow her as she walks away and then fall to my hands. Did that really just happen? I'm having trouble believing that it wasn't a dream.
"Mate," Michael emphasises, pulling me from my trance, "what the hell just happened?"
I shrug, "I haven't got a clue. B-but we've got class in ten minutes and my hands won't stop shaking."

---

My heart hasn't raced this much in years. The last time was probably back in school when I was forced to run laps in P.E.
Besides, this is completely different. This is a nice kind of pain, despite my anxiety. I hated running, and I hated feeling like I was going to throw up after one lap. I can just about deal with the way this is affecting my body.
"Right," Michael begins, staring me dead in the eye. "Just... be yourself. Try not to freak out." He seems almost as nervous as me. I nod. "Thanks for walking me to class, Mike. You didn't have to." Honestly I didn't know that he cared this much.
He shrugs nonchalantly, "it was on my way." He's lying, he doesn't have anymore lectures today. He should've gone home hours ago.
I nod and step through the doorway. "Wish me luck," I whisper, so he sticks his thumbs up to me. And then he's gone, and I'm walking towards my usual seat.
"Ash!" [Y/N] shouts, surprising me. I meet her eyes and she beckons for me to sit next to her. Oh god.