Chapter 5
Valerie’s P.O.V.
“Admit it. It’s the best spaghetti you’ve ever had.” Ashton says, smirking at me.
It is. I finish chewing, swallow, and wipe my mouth.
“I’ve had better.” I say with a shrug.
Calum, Michael, Luke, and Ashton collectively gasp.
“What?” Ashton asks, his face falling.
“I’ve had better.” I repeat. “Sorry.”
His eyes narrow. “Valerie Hart, please tell me you’re lying.”
I laugh. “Of course I am. It’s really, really, good Ashton.”
He sighs in relief and smiles. “You had me worried for a second.”
“You shouldn’t doubt your cooking skills.” Michael comments.
“Anyways, we’re gonna leave.” Calum adds.
Luke nods. “Yeah, all your flirting has got me nauseated. Either that, or I ate too much. Probably both.”
“We’re not flirting!” I say, my voice rising in pitch. “We’re just… talking.”
“This is how we talk.” Ashton defends me.
Michael laughs. “Alright, but from what I’ve heard, talking like that leads to fucking, so I think it’s best if we leave now. Thanks for the food, man.” They all leave without another word. Ashton and I stay silent until the front door slams shut.
We look at each other, the silence becoming almost suffocating.
“So, video games?” Ashton suggests.
I groan. “No. I suck.”
“But you said you were gonna learn!” He whines.
“I give up.” I tell him with a shrug. My phone rings and I look at it. “My mom. One second.” I put it up to my ear. “Hello?”
“Where are you?!” My mom yells into the phone. I pull it away from my ear a bit and flinch.
“I’m at a friend’s house.” I say quietly.
“I have a name, Valerie Hart.” Ashton says.
I roll my eyes.
“Is that a guy’s voice?” My mom asks.
I send Ashton a glare. “Yes, mom. I’m at Ashton’s house.”
“Oh. Do you like him?”
“Mom, let’s not talk about this right now.”
She laughs. “Okay, okay. Be home before ten.”
“Okay.” I tell her. “Love you.”
“Love you too. See you in a bit.”
“Bye.” I hang up my phone and set it on the counter.
“Flip phone?” He asks.
“Yes.” I answer. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“No, there’s not. I just figured you’d have a nicer phone, I don’t know.”
“Well, I love antiques.” I tell him flatly.
“Damn, okay. Topic change. Are you going to learn how to play video games or not?”
I look at the clock and back at my phone. “My mom actually said I have to go home right now.”
“It’s barely seven.” He whines.
I shrug. “Sorry. I need to grab my backpack.” I tell him, standing up. “Let me wash my dish first.” I walk over to the sink and Ashton takes it from my hands.
“Patty can take care of it.” He says gently.
“Okay.” I tell him with an awkward smile. “I’m gonna go get my stuff.” I turn around and bump into someone. I fall backwards, and Ashton catches my arm.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am. I was just going to give you your bag.” Patty says, holding it up for me.
“It’s okay.” I tell her. “Thank you.” I take my backpack from her and grab my phone off the counter. “Bye, Ashton. Thanks for inviting me over.” I dart past Patty and rush out of the house. I’m halfway down the street when I hear yelling.
“Val! Wait!” He calls out.
I hesitantly stop and wait for him to catch up.
“If it’s what I said about the phone, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s not that, I promise.” I tell him. “I just have to go home now. I don’t want to be late.”
He frowns. “We’re okay right?”
“I promise.” I tell him with a smile. “I’ve got to go.”
“Do you want a ride? You’re in a really big hurry to get home…”
“No, I’m okay. I’ll just walk.”
“How far is your house?”
“A mile or two.”
“No way I’m letting you walk. Come on.” He grabs my hand and leads me back to his car.
Well, I’m fucked.
“Where is it?” He asks.
“It’s just down the street from our school. In those um, apartments.” I admit sheepishly.
“Cool.” He says nonchalantly. He opens the car door for me and I thank him as I get in. He gets in the other side and smiles over at me. “You sure you’re not mad at me?”
“I’m not, Ashton.” I tell him with a smile.
He pulls out of the driveway and we drive in silence. Once we’ve made it to the end of the street, I crack.
“Do you mind if I turn on the radio?” I ask.
“No, it’s fine.” He tells me with a small smile.
He really is beautiful.
I run through the stations before frowning. “I hate all this stuff. Do you have any CDs?” I ask.
“Yeah. In that door thing.” He says, tilting his head in my direction.
I grab all the CDs that are lining the side of the door. I sort through them and grab one. “You like All Time Low?” I ask.
“Yeah. Do you?”
“Yeah.” I tell him. “They’re not like, super hardcore or any of that shit, but they’re perfect. I really like them.”
He smiles. “Favorite song?”
“Hmm. That’s actually impossible to decide, so I’m going to go with everything.” I tell him with a laugh.
“That’s great.” He tells me.
“What’s your favorite?”
“Therapy.” He tells me. “It’s really relaxing.”
I nod. “It’s a great song. Turn here.”
He pulls up to the apartments. “Listen, I know you’re mad about the phone thing. I’m sorry. I really wasn’t thinking about it. Things are going pretty great with us and I don’t want you to think I’m some sort of dick because I’m not. I just really, I’m sorry.”
“Ashton, it’s okay.” I tell him, and I mean it. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes you will, Valerie Hart.”
so i had this chapter done for like a month and i had no idea it was done so here it is lol im so sorry
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Life In Technicolor || Ashton Irwin
Fanfiction“You're so special. How did the universe ever come up with you?"
