Unpredictable (A Lashton Fanfic)

Chapter Three - Disconnected.

"So," Michael said later that night as they were boarding the bus. "Do you think we need to go look for Ashton since we haven't seen him in three hours, or just leave him here and make him walk back to the hotel?"

        Colin sighed. "Well, since you guys obviously don't care about Ashton even though he's in your band, I guess I better go look for him." He stepped off the bus and back through the double doors that led into the building, walking down two flights of steps. When he reached the main part of the arena, he was surprised to find Ashton sitting behind his drum set, which was still on the stage. Colin sat down quietly in the back row and watched as Ashton began to sing:

"Life's a tangled web, of cellphone calls and hashtag 'I don't knows'

And you, you're so caught up in all the blinking lights and dialtones

I admit I'm a bit of a victim in the worldwide system, too

But I find my sweet escape when I'm alone with you

Tune out the static sound of the city that never sleeps,

Here in the moment on the dark side of the screen

I like the summer rain, I like the sounds you make

We put the world away, we get so disconnected

You are my getaway, you are my favorite place

We put the world away,

Yeah, we're so disconnected."

        When he had stopped singing, Colin stood back up and walked to the front of the room, next to the stage. "That was really good." he said, causing Ashton to look up at him in surprise. "Oh, hey. I didn't even know anyone else was in here."

        "Did you write that song?" Colin asked, leaning against a chair.

        Ashton looked down shyly and smiled. "Yeah. I wrote it when we were back in Australia."

        "Let me guess," Colin smirked. "It's about Luke, isn't it?"

        Ashton nodded. "Of course. Every song I've ever written is about him." He sighed and looked around the otherwise empty arena. "Well, I guess we better get back outside with the others. I'm sure they're waiting for us, aren't they?"

        Colin shrugged and followed Ashton back outside into the cool night air and onto the bus, where they closed the door behind them. Ashton quietly walked over to Luke and sat down beside him, who suddenly stood up and went to sit down beside Calum instead. "That was rude," Ashton muttered, turning to Michael. "So, what's up?"

        Michael just stared at him. "Are you seriously going to talk to me like nothing's happened? You stood up in the middle of practice and walked off the stage. Do you understand what will happen if you decide to do something like that Saturday night? You're going to give this band a bad image."

        "I'm sorry," Ashton said quietly. "I'm just going through some emotional issues and tonight I just couldn't focus. I promise I'll be fine before our first show, though."

        Michael rolled his eyes. "Is that what you call it? Emotional issues?" He sighed and turned around to look at Luke, who was staring out the window with his headphones on. "You caused some problems tonight too, Hemmings."

        Luke sighed. "I didn't do anything wrong, Mikey. I've told you that a hundred times already."

        "Oh sure," Calum laughed. "You just broke a brand new guitar by throwing it down on the stage. Sure, you didn't do anything wrong. Anyway, Niall, are you dropping us off at our hotel first, or yours?"