simmer down // a.i. [ON HOLD]

[8] "JUST PEE OUT THE WINDOW!"

As we walked out of the kitchen, no one stopped doing what they were doing, but I felt everyone's eyes on us. Ashton was walking behind me, and was whistling happily, as if nothing had happened.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I tripped, almost falling over the coffee table.

'Woahh!'

Ashton grabbed my elbow, and caught the pizza box before it hit the floor. He looked over at Michael, who was guiltily looking at his phone.

'Michael, what the fuck, can you hold your horses? This is your pizza Emma's risking her life for.'

I looked up at Ashton, because I could already hear the smile in his voice, despite his tone.
He winked at me, and for the first time, I grinned back. Calum's voice was still echoing in my head. Be nice.

'He's right you know, Michael. I could've died at the hands of this pizza-'

'She could've suffered a fate worse than death even-'

'-just because you wanted another slice.'

Michael rolled his eyes, laughing.

'You melodramatic little shits. Thankyou for the pizza. End of story.'

Ashton and I laughed, before dropping the box down beside Michael. I sat down on the floor again, between Calum's legs, and Ashton jumped onto the couch to sit-crosslegged beside Luke.

Ciara leant forward and turned down the volume of the TV.

'So tell us, you two. What happened?'

I made a face.

'When?'

Calum leant over my face and poked my cheek.

'What happened in that kitchen that magically solved all your problems with Ashton?'

I blushed.

'I had no problem with Ashton.'

Ashton giggled.

'Liar.'

I sighed, ignoring the red that was spreading across my face.

'Ashton, you can explain. I'm so done with these people.'

He stuck out his tongue at me, and Luke raised his eyebrows, watching the exchange.

'Luke, can you not?' I snapped, and he held up his hands.

'Sorry, sorry. Ashton?'

Ashton brushed his hair out of his eyes and smiled.

'Emma is my official summer guide!'

'Yes!'

Michael punched the air and slapped Calum and Ciara a hi-5, while Luke bro-fisted Ashton.

'Nice work!'

Woah, slow down.

'Hold on - why does everyone else know about this? What?'

I scrunched up my nose and Calum cheekily patted my head.

'We knew Ashton's secret plans long before you did. Actually,' he leant back, hands folded behind his head proudly, 'it was my idea in the first place.'

Michael laughed.

'You should see your face, Emma. You look so surprised!'

'The number #1 rule of being in a band is that you tell eachother everything,' Luke chimed in.