Out of Bounds || Ashton Irwin Fanfic

Chapter 3: Distractions

When I arrived back at the flat I found Michael and Luke lounging around on the sofa playing Xbox.

"Do you guys actually study here? When do you even have a class?" I asked, squeezing on the chair arm next to Luke.

"We don't have classes on a Tuesday" Luke replied, still flicking at the buttons on the controller.

"Yeah what he said" Michael added, making me chuckle to myself. I pulled out the pile of papers that Ashton had given to me and set myself up at the dining room table. Once I had gathered my laptop and made myself a cup of tea I began reading through the notes of the crimes committed and writing key elements down. I was trying so hard to concentrate but every now and again Luke and Michael would burst into a raging argument over FIFA and distract me completely.

"Can you guys stop? I have a tonne of work to do"

"Do it in your room then" Michael retorted. Luke punched him in the arm and glanced over at me mouthing an apology.

"This isn't even your flat so don't tell me what to do"

"Jesus, chill out will ya? Come and play with us. Might put you in a better mood" Michael paused the game and patted the space beside him. I rolled my eyes, knowing full well that wasn't an option. This could be my last chance to impress Ashton and I couldn't screw things up this time.

"Come onnnnn. We don't have to play this if you don't want to? We could watch a movie or I could take you for a drink?"

"Are you asking her out?" Luke jumped in almost immediately, a look of surprise on his face.

"Yeah, Michael. Are you asking me out?" I was a little bit taken aback myself and frankly, a little flattered. Back in college I had never been one of the popular girls, I was a bit of a loner and practically had to beg my best friend to be my date for the leaver's prom so to have someone ask me out was kind of a big deal. It was a shame I would have to say no.

"Well, I meant the three of us but sure. It can just be the two of us if you'd like?"

-

Somehow Michael managed to persuade me into accompanying him for a few drinks. I had expected us to go down to the SU bar for a drink or two and then make our way back up to Luke but the night had taken a completely different turn. Michael had introduced me to a small bar around the corner from the university, it was a bit more high class than the SU bar and full of what appeared to be business men.

"I feel out of place here, Michael" I whispered as he lead me across to a small booth.

"Why? You look awesome" he assured me, removing my coat and leaving me alone to get some drinks from the bar. I hadn't expected to get on with Michael so well but once the drinks started flowing we found that we had a lot in common. It was way past midnight when we stumbled back up to the flat and through the door.

"Shhh" I attempted to whisper as Michael kissed my neck, guiding me back towards the sofa. I imagined what it would be like to have my way with Ashton, to have him throw me across his desk and take me. So as Michael ripped off my clothes and climbed on top of me I spent the whole duration pretending I was with Ashton; it may have seemed harsh but it's not like he even knew that and to be fair, we had a really good time. Michael sure knew how to pleasure a girl.

-

"Oh... Um, okay... Didn't expect that to happen" Luke's voice startled me for the second morning in a row and I forced my eyes open, realising that me and Michael fallen asleep half naked on the floor, wrapped around each other. He was still fast asleep so I slid out from under his arm and grabbed my dress, trying to regather my dignity as Luke watched me get changed.

"Do you mind?" I grumbled, pulling my dress over my head and wandering across to the kitchen.

"Did you have a good night?" Luke asked, his eyes flickering back to Michael.

"From what I can remember, yeah. Why did you let me go?"

"I can't stop you, it's your choice" Luke shrugged, taking hold of my shoulders and forcing me down on to the stool at the breakfast bar. "You sit down. What would you like?"

"A time machine" I sighed, throwing my head into my hands at the sight of my paperwork still lying on the table.

"I can't get you one of those but what I can get you is a cup of coffee and a bowl of Frosties. How does that sound?" Luke placed a cup in front of me and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. I smiled up at him and placed my hand onto his, god bless this boy.

"Who's making breakfast?" Michael piped up out of nowhere, bolting up right and raising his eyebrows at the two of us.

-

It was late afternoon when I began feeling human again and took another look at my paperwork. Luke had made me another cup of coffee and promised to stay out my way until I had finished at least 700 words for tonight. Michael had gone back to his apartment after realising nobody was going to make him anything to eat so the flat was peaceful once again. I managed to read through all the information and jot down some notes, my text books were even more confusing than I had expected but I somehow managed to stay focused. Knowing this essay could possibly bring Ashton to like me was a contributing factor but I wanted to prove to myself that I wasn't out of my depth.

"I know I said I wouldn't interrupt you unless you had finished 700 words but I have to tell you something!" Luke burst out of his room, brimming with excitement.

"What?"

"I've been offered a gig... Well, it's not much but they want me to play at the SU bar tonight. A 30 minute acoustic set! And I just... Well, I wanted to know if you'd come? I'm a bit nervous and I think seeing your face in the crowd would make me feel better" he explained, now sitting opposite me at the table and looking hopeful for me to say yes. I had managed 370 words, which was a start and I did have another 4 days to complete it so one more night out wouldn't do any harm.

"I'd love to be there, Luke" As soon as my answer left my mouth he leapt across the table and wrapped his arms around me.

"Okay! Well, go get changed and I'll give Michael a call so he can keep you company"

I wasn't sure I wanted Michael to come along but I didn't stop Luke from calling him. Instead I jumped into the shower and went to pick out something to wear. It was almost 8pm when I had finished getting ready and discovered Luke had already gone down to the bar and left Michael to wait for me. His eyes locked onto me as I stepped out the bathroom and then worked their way up and down my body. It was kind of intimidating having someone check me out so blatantly.

"You look hot"

"You don't look to bad yourself" I replied, taking Michael's arm and allowing him to lead me out into the hall and down to the SU bar. This time I passed up on having any alcohol and stuck to water, making sure I had a clear head to carry on with my work tomorrow. I forced my way through to the front of the crowd and made it just in time for Luke to come out on stage. The rest of the bar burst into applause, everyone seemed happy to have some live music for once. Luke realised I was in the front row and smiled down at me before beginning his first song which was 'A Team by Ed Sheeran' and just so happened to be one of my favourite songs. It was nice to see everyone appreciate his talent and how Luke flourished after each song, gaining confidence in himself. The 30 minute acoustic set turned into an hour and then people were throwing requests at him. After a while I realised he didn't need me there anymore and Michael had vanished in the crowd so I decided to head back. It was only 11pm and I realised I could probably carry on with the assignment for an hour or two in peace. I wriggled through the crowd and to the exit only to come face to face with Ashton.

Great. Just what I needed.