Want You Back

Chapter 10

It was Monday. A typically Monday. Nothing went according to plan. Zoe had the early shift. First she slept through her alarm clock, then Zoe dropped a full tray and now, to her surprise, Ashton walked into the café with a different young lady, hand in hand. Ashton did that on purpose.

Zoe made a disgusted sound and went behind the counter. Fortunately for her, the café was so crowded that she had to compulsively serve Ashton and the unknown girl.

"What can I do for you guys?" asked Zoe with an ironic undertone. "Hi Zoe, we'd like two lattes with almond milk. Please." replied Ashton, not looking at Zoe's face once. "Mhm." replied Zoe, making her way as slowly as she could to make the coffee.

The coffee was ready. Zoe put both cups on a tray and walked over to table 6 where Ashton was sitting.

Zoe was full of anger and self-doubt. Zoe let these feelings control her. By mistake, Zoe dropped this tray as well. But not on the floor, no. But on Ashton. His whole shirt was full of coffee. Zoe really had to pull herself together not to laugh. Ashton looked up from his shirt and eyed Zoe. "Sorry. I can make you new ones." Zoe grinned. "That's okay." replied Ashton. He stood up, gave Zoe one last look, and took his new lady friend by the hand. Both of them left the café.

It did Zoe good. It was a lesson. Ashton made Zoe feel things she could never have imagined. Negative and positive.

If Ashton only knew. Zoe thought to herself. While today had gotten off to a bad start, Zoe still had something big planned. The day had finally arrived. Zoe got the nod from Steve. The melody is ready so far and Zoe is asked to come into the studio.

The long working day came to an end. Zoe put the whole thing with Ashton behind her. He was just a dick. Period. She can't handle any distractions right now. Quite a few butterflies were flying around in her stomach. She was so excited.

Zoe put down her apron and said goodbye to her colleagues. "Have fun!" her boss, Daisy, called after her. Zoe took a deep breath in and out. It was so unreal. So stepping out of her usual work environment and getting involved in a whole new experience.

"Hi babes." Zoe grinned as she got into the car with Grace. "Ahh... I'm so excited. I'm soooo excited." squealed Grace. "Me too!" retorted Luke. "Thanks. You guys are so sweet." Zoe laughed to herself.

Luke, Grace and Michael were at the taping today. Actually, Ashton and Calum should have been there too. Right now, Zoe can't use the negative energy from either of them, though she's infinitely grateful to the whole band for the opportunity. Without 5sos, Zoe wouldn't be where she is.

Her heart pounded faster and faster the closer they got to the studio. Finally arrived, Michael and Steve were waiting for the three. "Hello. Then I would suggest that we start right away. What do you think?" Mr. Barnett started the conversation.

With her new friends, she could create such a nice memory. The tune was good, but something was missing. Zoe cleared her throat. "Um... What do you think about me playing guitar myself to bring more of my personality to the song?" asked Zoe to the producer. "That's a good idea. I'll arrange something on that." Steve smiled proudly.

They did a few run-throughs. A few improvement there and a few other ideas here. And the result didn't look bad. "Thank you, Zoe." said Steve, when they discussed everything. "Thank you!" replied Zoe. A new date for the recording was set.

Zoe couldn't stop smiling. She walked through the hallways of the studio as if it were her second home. Everything was going according to plan. Well, the career did.

"I'm proud of you. You have real talent. I promise you'll be a star." Michael said. "Thank you so much." Zoe said. She really meant it. Her heart and soul went into this song.

Zoe said goodbye to everyone and headed home. Her happiness was hard to put into words.

The sun was setting and there was a clear starry sky. Ashton was lying in his huge bed. All alone. He turned from one side to the other. It had been a long time since he had such a problem falling asleep. His day had been horrible, but what had he expected. He went to the café of his flame or ex-flame, or whatever with a strange girl. The nerve.

Ashton opened his eyes. He just couldn't fall asleep. He just couldn't get Zoe out of his head. No matter what he thought about, Zoe always came into Ashton's mind.

I need to talk to her. It can't go on like this. Ashton thought.

He pulled himself together and got into his car. Zoe's favorite. The low-slung ford. Not too much time passed and Ashton was already standing in front of Zoe's door. Uncertainty spread throughout his body. He closed his eyes and rang the doorbell.

The stairs squeaked as Ashton climbed them. "Hey. I wanted to talk to you." Ashton whispered as he arrived at Zoe's apartment. Zoe stood there in her purple bathrobe, yawning. Her face was expressionless. She was, quite simply, confused.

"Mhh, you have some explaining to do." she replied. They both sat down on her sofa. Zoe was so anxious to hear what Ashton had to say to her, but she tried to keep her calm as possible.

Ashton took all his courage and tried to be honest with Zoe. "So, I don't know how to put this into words. I really care about you. And no, I can't tell you why I act the way I do. I definitely said and did the wrong things. It's driving myself crazy. I can't explain it to you. Sorry." Ashton sighed and looked at the floor.

"I'm being honest. I don't know either. I'm overwhelmed and I can't process it like that. There's so much going on right now and I can't keep up. But thank you for wanting to talk to me, that means a lot. And I'm sorry too... about the coffee today." Zoe replied. It was a very big step for Ashton to approach her, but how should Zoe handle it?

"But I deserved that." laughed Ashton. He eyed Zoe from top to bottom. She gave him a grin.