moments ↠ hood a.u [s.updates]

four.

Two weeks. That's the time it had been since the party and Calum's words still rang in my head like a bell constantly being chimed in a church. My mind repeating every single word that he hissed at me. I probably should of been more upset than I actually was, but I had learnt to not let anyone's words in. But for some strange reason his were eating me inside out. 

I flicked through the TV channels, trying to distract myself from my thoughts. Although there wasn't much hope, there was absolutely nothing on. I sighed in frustration and sprawled out on the sofa, my head dangling upside down and my feet in the air. 

"Whatcha doooooin?" My brother appeared over the back of the sofa, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion at my current position.

"Just hanging out. Do you wanna do something? I'm bored." I gave him a hopeful look, wishing he would accept. He pondered on the thought for a minute before an excited grin made his mouth curve at the sides, 

"McDonald's?" Rolling off the sofa with some difficulty, I was finally back on my feet. Marcus already had a car waiting for Alex on the drive when we got to Australia, deciding to split the cost between them. It was nothing special, just a four-seater thing to get him to and from places. And luckily he didn't have to take lessons again, seen as he was 22, he had already been driving for five years; meaning he was ok to just resit his test.

We jumped in his car and headed straight to McDonald's, my happy place. Not one drive in this town seemed to last long for the fact it was quite a small area, so everything was close together. Within fifteen minutes we were in the fast food car park. I hopped out of the car and waited on the sidewalk. It was surprisingly busy to say it was almost 12 am, about seven or eight cars spread out across the tarmac. But it was one vehicle that caught my eye, a motorcycle. 

My stomach knotted and my thoughts began to blur, memories flooding in even though I tried to ignore them. I closed my eyes and focused on something else, but everything just related back to the one memory I was struggling to forget.

"Belle, you coming?" My eyes shot open, remembering where I was. Alex was stood by the door, patiently waiting for me. I ran towards him and slipped inside the building before he had time to ask questions.

McDonald's buzzed with the sound of conversation, each person concentrating on something different. I heard a loud child-like giggle and turned my head round to the source. Ashton Irwin was sat with a group of others, a few girls and a few boys. He noticed me immediately, giving me a wide smile. I'd talked to Ashton a few times and instantly liked him. He was easy to get a long with and was always happy, not to forget that he was absolutely gorgeous. A boy sat across from him swivelled in his chair, looking in the same direction as Ashton. His face dropped the smile it once held, and a look of pure embarrassment replaced it. 

"What's wrong Calum, cat got your tongue?" A blonde haired boy sniggered, earning himself a punch in the arm from Calum. Without hesitating, I joined my brother at the serving counter. He didn't even need to ask what I wanted; it was always the same in any McDonald's. The most important thing I wanted right now was to get my food and leave.

"Staying in or taking out?" The woman behind the till asked.

"Taking out." I gave her a quick smile and she nodded. Our food was done within five minutes and placed on a tray. Alex picked up the tray and I went and grabbed a few ketchup sachets, refusing to look in Calum's direction. 

I spun on my heel and bumped into a broad chest, hands grabbing my waist to stop me from falling backwards.

"Sorry Isabelle." Ashton's voice was soft and gentle, and my whole body relaxed. 

"Oh it's you. I thought you were someone else and I'd just made a fool out of myself." I let out a small laugh, thankful that the body did actually belong to Ashton and not anyone else.