Feeling This (Ashton Irwin)

seven - lunch

It’s finally the end of the school week, and I had successfully avoided majority of the popular kids, and managed to make no new friends.

It was hard for me to meet anyone, because during lunch I left to skate around. It was the best way for me to space myself from anyone who was going to make fun of me. I’d probably end up getting in a fight and getting suspended, so it was better to keep my distance.

However, today I missed breakfast and was utterly starving. I wander into the large cafeteria, waiting in line my French fries. I’m searching the large crowd for Calum or Luke, because it would be incredibly embarrassing to sit alone, but I can’t seem to locate them. I start getting nervous, afraid that I’ll have to sit alone, when I notice a black and blue haired head weaving through the crowd.

I turn to shout, “Michael!” He immediately stops, swerving his head in different directions, trying to pinpoint my voice. I wave my arms in an attempt to make him notice me, and to my luck, he does. A large goofy smile grows across his face and he makes his way over to me.

“Hi, Zo.” He says.

I roll my eyes at him, “It’s Zoe.”

He wrinkles his nose, in an adorable way, “You don’t like nicknames?”

I answer his question, “Not particularly.”

“Awesome, Zo.” He says, smiling at the end.

“I deeply regret calling you over.” I reply, turning around so my back is facing him.

“I’m sure that’s not quite true.” He whispers closely in my ear.

I answer, “But it is.” And send my elbow into his stomach, making him clutch over and dramatically act hurt.  

“Awe, Zoe, I’m sorry for offending you.” He declares with that goofy smile again, raising his hands up in front of him.

“No you aren’t.” I murmur, shaking my head.

“No, I’m really not. But let me make it up to you, sit with us.” He waves his hand indirectly to a group of tables in the back.

“Okay.” I mutter, grabbing my French fries from the counter and following him towards a table away from everyone else.

“Hey, everyone look who I found!” Michael shouts to his group of friends. I instantly recognize Luke with his face shoved too far into a textbook, and Calum who has his nose pressed against his phone screen. Calum throws his hands up, motioning for me to sit with him. I do as told, and slide into the seat beside him.

Michael slips into a seat beside an unknown face, and begins to introduce me to the group.

“Okay, everyone this is Zoe.” He says, pointing to me. Calum wraps his arm around my shoulder into a side hug, “make her feel welcome.” I give a shy wave to the rest of them. None of them pay much attention, giving me slight nods.

Calum starts to point out specific faces, “That’s Ellie,” He says pointing to a girl hidden behind ‘The Fault In Our Stars’. She has short, bland, brown hair, and similar looking eyes. Her black glasses wobble on her nose. She wears a Harry Potter shirt concealed beneath a black sweater. Geek.

I speak up, “Good book.”

She seems shocked that someone has addressed her, and takes a moment to realize who it was. “You’ve read it?” She scoffs.  

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” I say, raising an eyebrow. The rest of the group “ouu’s” at my remark to her.

She smiles proudly, and nods her head. “I like you.” Is all she says, before stuffing her face back in her book. What can I say, I’m also secretly a geek.

Calum moves onto the next girl, who he calls Nic. She has long blonde hair, curled into perfect ringlets but buried under a purple beanie. Freckles shelter her face and she blinks too often. She’s deep in conversation with Michael, throwing her hands up to explain her argument over something completely stupid. She gives me a quick wave before continuing to try to out sass him.

“And finally, most importantly, I’m Jamie.” The last one in the group says. I’m shocked by her beauty, something I’m sure she’s aware of. Her ginger -sorry, strawberry blonde hair- fits her face perfectly. I can tell she’s barely wearing any make up, because she doesn’t need to and her vibrant green eye pop out of her face.

“Jamie you freak,” Luke gabbles. Jamie throws her hand up to cover her mouth, acting hurt from his words. She giggles, swatting at Luke’s arm. She turns away from Luke, but I notice how his eyes linger on her a little longer than normal and he casually bites his lip ring.

He finally turns away, catching my gaze and starts blushing a bright red. I raise my eye brows at him, but he mouths “later”. I nod to him and focus my attention back on Calum.

Maybe I’ll fit in with them. None of seemed to care that I was a little off. None of them stared at my scars or the bizarre piercings scattering my face. They all seemed like polar opposites, but somehow they all cliqued. Maybe I could be the lasting puzzle piece in their vast group.

Calum taps me on the shoulder, “Zoe, are you coming to the party tonight at Michael’s house?” He asks me. A party, with drinking. Alcohol. Liquor. Booze.

“Umm, y’know I’m not really a party person…” I trail off.

“You should come!” Jamie shouts.

“I don’t know… I don’t like parties. All those drunk people in one place. Too much for me to handle.”

“Ashton will be there…” Michael says, and I try to stay cool but I can feel my cheeks growing a lively pink. Why the hell was I blushing? It was Ashton… the most annoying person on earth. The person I loathed. But why was I blushing about him?

“That’s just another reason not to go.” I state.

“C’mon, just come for a bit. Please?” Michael whines, pulling the biggest puppy dog pout ever seen.

Let’s just say I was a sucker for the puppy dog.

“Fine, I suppose I can stop by for a bit.” I say and they all cheer. I attempt to conceal my smile behind my hands. The rest of the group dismisses into random conversation as I try to convince myself that I’m going for my new group of friends, and not for the boy with the hazel eyes.

A/N

Check out my Harry fanfic and my new Luke fanfic - coming soon!