The Ex-Boyfriend Benefits // 5SOS

Chapter 9

"Hello?" I answer.

"Judith." A familiar voice says which makes me smile. Of course, it's Ashton.

"Uh, hey.. how are you doing?" I feel awkward when I remember how I acted last night.

"A lot better now." He says and I smile. I feel like I can see him smiling through the phone.

"How about you? Sobered up now?" He adds with a teasing laugh.

"Yeah." I just answer. I cant stop smiling. I feel my back leaning against the door.

"How did you get my number, by the way? Just curious, you know." I ask.

"Well, I found out that your friend Lisa was once a group mate of Kathryn in a school project and she still has her number and I asked for it and I texted Lisa to ask for yours. I was surprised that she didn't ask why or something, though. But I was happy. I still am." He explains. Lisa and I aren't even actually friends. We just know each other because we're classmates.

"I see." I respond. My mood kinda changes when I hear about Kathryn. I remember how he flirted with Calum before and how she used to date Ashton, too.

"She's your ex girlfriend, right?" I cant help to ask.

"Kathryn? Well, kind of. I mean, we weren't official. But um, we're like dating. So, I guess, it's a yes?" He answers.

"I see." I say, running out of words.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go out tonight, by the way. That's why I called." He laughs, nervously.

"That would be nice." I smile. Thank God, we're just talking through phone. He cant see how much of an idiot I look like now for smiling widely and for rolling my eyes when I hear Kathryn's name and for smiling again when he asks me out.

"I'm assuming that you will come here to get me, right?" I say again, laughing. And praying that he will.

"Of course, Judith." He responds.

"I'll text you my address." I tell him. And I start to remember our house address, too. What the hell is wrong with me? Why did I forget it? I'm just gonna ask my mum.

"No need. See you at 7:00pm." He laughs. And I grin because wait, he knows my address? I feel like the world flipped. I mean, I thought it's a one-sided attraction and now, this, he told me he likes me too.

"Oh, right. See you." I just say.

"Yeah. I'm excited to see you, Judith." He admits.

"I'm not. I'm sorry." I laugh.

"I was kidding. Good bye! See you tonight, Irwie." I continue when he doesn't say anything.

"Okay.." He says. I imagine him smiling like an idiot like me.

"Okay. I'm gonna hang up now. See you! Irwie." I say then, end the call. I walk to my bed then lie myself comfortly.

"Irwie sounds cute." I whisper to myself, smiling and bringing my phone onto my chest so, I can rest my chin on the top of it.

I look at my phone when I hear it ring again. I answer it immediately.

"Thank you for saying yes, by the way." Ashton says, kinda laughing.

"Really? You called again to say that?" I laugh.

"I guess, I did." He says.

"I'm not gonna thank you for asking me out, okay." I joke.

"Oh, no. I wasn't expecting that, anyway. You're a little sassy." He teases.

"The perks of being with the sassiest guy on earth. You know, I'm always with Calum and I swear, he's like the sass--" I stop. "I'm sorry. Really. Just.. see you tonight. I need something to eat now." I laugh, nervously.

"Yeah, sure." He says.

"Bye, Ashton." I say then, hang up. I beat myself for being stupid. I mean, I'm not assuming that he will get jealous. But he said he likes me and I like him too and for that, I shouldn't open up the topic about my first and ex boyfriend. I guess, I'm just way too attached with Calum and no one can blame me. We're know each other for years even though we've dated for just like ten months and he's like my best friend too and he used to be my everything and I'm afraid that he still is. I mean, it's like every thing about me is connected with him.

I groan and beat myself for the last time before I stand up and walk downstairs because I wasnt lying when I said I need to eat.

"Why was Calum in a hurry earlier? I wanted to offer him a snack or something so he would stay for a while but he was so fast at leaving. Are you guys okay?" My mum greets. I'm done.

"Really, mum? You shouldve even asked me if I was hungry before you asked me that." I say, sitting.

"Well, here, I cooked pasta. Carbonara." She says, giving me the plate.

"I can see it, mum. I know how carbonara looks like. It's pasta with a white sauce." I respond.

"Too early to be grumpy, honey." She teases and I grab fork and waste no time to eat.

"This tastes good, though." I admit.

"Of course, it does." She smiles.

When I finish eating, mum looks at me like she's waiting for something.

"So..?" She starts.

"'So' what?" I ask, still remembering the taste of carbonara.

"How are you and Calum?" She grins and I roll my eyes at her, playfully.

"Seems like a bad idea to ask." She teases and takes my plate to put on the counter.

"Mum, I told you, we aren't dating anymore and besides, there's this guy who just asked me out and he'll come here tonight to get me." I explain. I feel better after saying it. I dont know. I'm happy I can tell her things like this.

"Why did you guys break up?" She asks. And I'm really done.

"Seriously, mum? Im going out with a hot guy and thats what you should be curious about." I tell her.

"I'm kidding. I'm looking forward to seeing him." She smiles.

"You really should. Lets drool together because he's freaking hot." I grin and mum shoots me a knowing look.

"Sorry. I'm going upstairs. Love the pasta with a white sauce that is called carbonara, mum." I say then start walking away. My mum is a cool mum but she doesnt want me saying things like "freaking" in front of her.

When I get to my room, I text Calum to ask how things are going. He texts back immediately with "What a mess this band is." And I laugh, texting him back.

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