If Only You Knew

Present

Chapter 2: Calum's POV

Luke found a nice parking spot right in front of the doors.

"Alright, mate. Lead us the way to the her dream dress."

I walked past tens of dresses, only to find the one Ari wanted. It was tucked away at the back of the store, in the corner of the rack. I picked up the hanger and showed it to the lads. 

"What do you think? I actually chose it.. She just approved, haha."

Ashton and Luke nodded in approval.

"Hah, if she were wearing the dress at this moment, you'd look like a couple! Like, matching maroon colours!" Ashton exclaimed.

I looked down at my maroon-coloured sweater.

"A couple, huh?"

"Yeah! Too bad she's with Mikey."

Luke elbowed him in the stomach.

"AYE! That hurt! What was that for?"

Luke winked at me. I smiled back.

Luke was the only one I've told about my crush on Ariana. He's my best friend, ever since Michael and I grew apart. He's always been there for me, and always had my back. He was basically my brother when Michael left. I am eternally grateful for a mate like Lucas.

"Okay. We got the dress, now what's the price?" Luke asked.

I grabbed the hanging tag and checked for the price. Shit.

Ashton snatched the dress and looked for himself.

"Holy Nandos! 200 dollars?!"

"I- I can't afford that lads.. I'm sorry for wasting your time bringing me here, let's just go."

I took the dress back from Ash, but Luke immediately grabbed it.

"It's okay, man. I got it. Just make sure your name is on the tag."

"No.. Luke, it's okay. We don't have to get it."

Ashton yelled now.

"Goddamnit Calum! Luke is being a nice mate over here and you're being a total buzzkill! Let him pay for the frickin dress so we can get outta here!"

Luke and I were both surprised.

"Ashton Fletcher Irwin! Don't swear!"

Ashton sunk down.

"I'm sorry. It's just.. Your turning down your chance to impress Ariana. This dress might help you get out of the friendzone, you know?"

Luke and I were surprised once again.

"Ash.. How did you know about my crush on Ariana?"

He laughed.

"I didn't! But I do now."

He winked at me, and I playfully punched him into a rack of dresses, which he actually tipped over. We could see an employee looking at us suspiciously. 

"Cashier?" Luke said.

"Cashier," Ashton and I responded with a nod.

We dashed past people and billions of hangers towards the cashier. Once we got there, the cashier gave us a weird look.

"Please correct me if I'm wrong, but three teenage boys are buying a teenage girl dress?"

We all nodded.

"That seems pretty correct to us," Luke replied.

Ashton jumped in.

"Ma'am, it's not for any of us. It's for my mate over here's little crush."

He grabbed my shoulder and shook me a little. The cashier smiled as she finished boxing the dress.

"Well, this dress might just get you out of the friendzone.."

She pushed the box towards me.

"Not quite sure about that, ma'am."

The cashier rolled her eyes. She shuffled for something underneath the counter top, and returned with a bottle of perfume.

"This ought to do it. This fragrance from the hot British band One Direction doesn't release for another two months or so. I'm not supposed to do this, but I'll do anything for young love."

She handed me the perfume. I smiled.

"Thank you so much, ma'am. Once my boys and I become punk rock, I'll repay you. But for now, all I got is a massive thank you."

"That's all that I need, kid. Go get yourself a girlfriend."

She winked as we ran out of the store.