Unpredictable (A Lashton Fanfic)

Chapter Sixteen - Viva Las Vegas?

After almost thirteen hours of continuous driving, we arrived at our hotel in Las Vegas. We weren’t there for long, however, because soon we were pushed back into a black van that would take us towards the MGM Grand Garden Arena for various interviews and photoshoots before the awards started.

            “So,” Michael said as we exited our hotel parking lot and turned onto the traffic-filled main road. “Today’s going to be really busy, but it’s also going to be really fun.”

            I nodded and took Ashton’s hand. “Yeah, it is. This will be our big chance to prove ourselves to our American fans and get our name out there, so we have to make sure we do our best tonight.”

            “I wish I was going to be shown on television.” Austin said quietly. Cody rolled his eyes and started laughing. “You’re presenting an award, Mahone. In case you didn’t know, that means you’re going to be showed on television just like they are. I’m just there because I can; I’m not performing or presenting an award or anything. You guys are lucky.”

            We were quiet for a while until Calum’s phone suddenly started vibrating. “What’s up, Cal?” I asked, noticing his disturbed expression. “Well,” he said after a few moments. “Apparently somehow, and don’t ask me how, our management has found out about you and Ashton’s relationship.”

            As soon as he said that, I immediately knew who had done it. There was only one other person that could’ve told them, because only one other person knew about us. “Ariana,” I said angrily. “Ariana did this. Is management upset? What did they say?”

            “Well,” Calum replied. “They’re not happy—at all. They say in order for our band to preserve our ‘image’ you and Ash will have to cut down on the PDA. According to this message, you two are forbidden to touch in any way when you are out in public with cameras around, especially tonight at the awards.”

            I leaned my head against the window and stared out at the crowds of people and buildings passing by. I should’ve known this was going to happen. I expected it, to be honest. Ashton and I are in a world-famous band, of course there would be people who might criticize the fact that we’re dating. The one thing that I wasn’t ready for was the fact that people would find out about us so soon. I cautiously looked over at Ashton, who was absently picking at his fingernails. “Are you okay, Ash?”

            “Yeah,” he whispered. “I’m fine. Are you?”

            I shrugged. “I might as well be. If management tells us we have to do something, we have no other choice but to do it. As long as we’re together we’re going to be fine. Right?”

            Ashton smiled up at me, his good mood suddenly returning. “Right. And management didn’t say anything about what we could and couldn’t do when the cameras weren’t on us. At least we’ll have that private time.”

            Michael stopped him before he could say anything else. “Trust me, Irwin, no one wants to know what you and Luke do in your private time.”

            Before I could think of a good enough comeback to what he had said, we arrived at the arena. We were brought in through a back door—apparently fans were already waiting outside—and ushered into a large circular room that I was guessing was the lobby. There were video cameras and photographers everywhere and there were at least three security guards standing by every exit. A man with a clipboard led us to the very first table labeled ‘5SOS’ and I took the seat next to Ashton, and within a few seconds the interviewer had already started asking us questions.