Ella's POV:
I was out of bed early that morning. Like 6 am early. I decided to go for a run and clear my head for a bit. Running always helps me. I ran for 2 miles and when I got back it was 7am. When I walk into the kitchen Townes is sitting on the island eating cereal.
"Morning!" He mumbled with he mouth full.
"Good morning." I laughed getting a bottle of water
"You're all sweaty." He made a face.
"That's because I went for a run, idiot." I walk over to him and rub my arm on him laughing.
"You're so lucky I haven't showered yet." He glared at me.
"Yeah I'm so scared." I said scarcasticlly as I grab a bowl and sit down next to him.
"What time should we be at school?" He turned to me. I answer him after I shallow a spoonful of cereal.
"Like 4 it's just orientation," I shrugged, "We are gonna have to walk you know."
"Ugh why do we walk everywhere?" He groaned
"It's nice I like it." I argued, "And besides it's only ten minutes away." I grab my bowl and his and put them in the sink.
"Fine EK, I'm gonna go finish unpacking." He began walking up the stairs.
"I'm gonna shower!" I yelled to him.
When I got out of the shower I did a little unpacking and the next time I looked at the clock it said 3:30.
"Oh shit. TOWNES ARE YOU READY?" I yelled as I ran in my bathroom to get ready.
"Yeah but it looks like your not." He leaned against the door leading into my bathroom.
"Shut up." I mumbled as I brushed my teeth.
"You said it only takes 10 minutes to get there and we don't have to be there right away right?"
"Ugh okay now leave." I shooed him away. When I finished it was 3:55. I ran down the stairs and put on my beat up white converse on.
"TOWNES IM READY LETS GO!" I yelled up the stairs.
"I'm coming I'm coming." He walked down the stairs. I took a quick look in the mirror before I left. I looked somewhat descent. I wore a blue baseball shirt and some jean shorts. I wore some blush and eyeliner and mascara and some concealer. I wore my hair natural because it was only a little wavy. We walked out the door and I locked it before we made our way to the school. Both of our parents always work during the day so they are never home. The walk seemed quicker than I thought and we were at the school in no time. We entered the gym and made our way to the line of tables. I turned to Townes.
"Okay so it's in alphabetical order so you go with the C's and I'll come find you okay?" He just nodded. I sighed as I made my way to the B's and quickly got my schedule. I found Townes and we went into the corner of the gym and compared our schedules.
Ashton's POV:
Calum said something funny which caused me, Luke and Michael to laugh at him. I looked around the room and my eyes landed on someone that looked way too familiar. I narrowed my eyes so I could get a better look. I blinked twice to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.
"Hey guys do you see that girl over there." I nod my head in her direction.
"What girl Ash?" Luke said confused.
"Yeah there's a bunch of girls here." Calum laughed. I quickly realized that they didn't know who I was talking about. And she couldn't be back. There was no way I saw her. Ella Kate can not be back at school. When I looked back I didn't see her there. Yeah my eyes were tricking me again.
"Never mind." I sighed and shook my head. Michael patted my back a little.
"Mate it's okay." He laughed.
"I'm hungry." I looked up quickly changing the subject.
"Let's go to that place by the pier." Luke suggested.
"I'm down." I looked at Calum who nodded and Michael shrugged. And we headed out of the gym and made our way down to the pier. I could not get her out of my head. I always thought of her. I had no clue where she went and I never had the courage to even call her. Ella Kate had to be the prettiest girl I've ever met. Before she left this little town I came to the realization I had a crush on her. Ella Kate, my best friend, I had a crush on my best friend. I was going to confess my feelings to her one day. I bought her flowers and everything. I went to her house and knocked on her door, there was no answer. I used the key she gave me and opened the door, it was completely empty. She left without saying goodbye to me and I was heartbroken. I locked myself in my room for days crying. I ended up getting over my crush on her faster than she dropped me and this town. I was a complete loner at the school when she left but luckily I ran into Calum, Luke and Michael one day when they were doing band practice. They told me they needed a drummer and I immediately told them I would do it. We've been best friends since then. I'm very thankful for them. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Michael clapping at my face.
"Ash"
"Huh?" I looked at him.
"It's your turn to order."
"Oh." I nodded and ordered quickly.
"You okay? You seem a little out of it today Ashton." Luke asked.
"Fine. Just not really ready for school to start again." I ran my fingers through my hair.
"We have one more week, we are going to make the best of it." Calum smiled. The thing was, school wasn't the problem, the problem was and always will be Ella Kate.
I said goodbye to the boys and walked home. I was still confused as to what I saw back at the gym. I'll just ask my mom later if the Browns are back. I walked in the house to find Lauren and Harry on the couch watching tv.
"Hello kiddos." I messed up Harry's hair with my hand and headed to the kitchen.
"Hey mom." I said grabbing an apple and sitting down on the island.
"Hi Ashy, how are your classes." She asked as she loaded the dishwasher.
"Fine." I shrugged staring at my apple before taking a bit out of it. "Few classes with Luke, Michael and Calum."
"Good I'm glad." She smiled at me.
"Can I ask you a question?" I looked at her.
"Go ahead." She stopped loading the dishes and faced me.
"Do you know if the Browns came back from wherever they went to?"
"I don't know Ashton." She shook her head.
"That's fine mom. I have to finish summer reading I'll be down for dinner." I got up and walked to my room. This was all so weird I could of sworn she was actually at the gym today.
