These Little Things

Chapter 6: Target Trashing

"What do we do now?" Michael asks our group. Everyone shrugs. Suddenly Ashton's hand shoots into the air. "Yes, Ashton." Calum says with his best teacher voice. "We should walk around Target and see who can get the coolest things in his cart, before the store closes." "Sounds good to me." Luke comments. We all agree.

We pull into the Target parking lot at around nine-thirty. "Does anybody want something from Starbucks?" Calum asks. "I wouldn't mind a chocolate smoothie." I tell him. "Ok, I'll buy you one." Luke says. "Oh, thanks. I'm kind of addicted to those things." I respond. "Yeah, no problem. I like the strawberry smoothie." Our eyes lock. He bites his lip and I smile. I'm not used to boys acting nervous around me, especially not cute ones.

While the guys wait in line, Briar, Libby, London, and I sit at a table. "Girls, do you realize that we are on a group date with 5SOS!" Briar exclaims. "I know I'm kind of freaking out. Seriously though, the guys are so funny." Libby says with an excited tone. "Yeah, and cute. Did any of you notice how Luke kept flirting and smiling at Aspen?" London nudges me in the side. "Ha, whatever. I think Michael definitely digs you." I say trying to change the subject. "She's not kidding, though. Luke totally likes you." Briar says with a wink. "Omg, what if you and Luke become a thing." Libby's comment sets off an event of giggling, squealing, and dancing in their chair. I just laugh and shake my head. "Guys, I barely know him. Better yet, he barely knows me. Give it a rest." I shout over their girliness. They stop for about two seconds and then we all burst out laughing. My friends are insane.

"Ok, we have exactly one hour until the store closes. So, we obviously have to pair up." Ashton says as the boys hand us our beverages. Each of the boys grab a shopping cart. "Since Ash came up with the idea, I think that he should get to choose partners." Calum states. "Sounds good to me. Calum and Libby together." Calum helps Libby into their cart. "Uh, Mikey and London." Michael and London huddle around their cart, laughing. "Aspen and Luke." Ash says winking at Luke. Luke hits him on the back. "That hurt. Briar you get to be with me." He smiles at her, they would make a really cute couple.

"Do you want to ride in the cart?" Luke asks me. "Ha, sure." I respond. He holds my hand while I swing my long legs into the cart. I get comfortable and he hands me my drink. London pushes Michael in the cart, and Briar and Libby ride. "Ladies and gentleman, the instructions for the night are to grab as much cool stuff as you can before the store closes. At 10:50 sharp, you meet back at this exact spot. Does everyone understand?" Ash explains. I nod my head. "Then, start your engines." Luke and I make car sounds. "GO!" Luke takes off running towards the furniture aisles. "What are we getting first?" I ask him. "Well, I know that Michael will go towards the electronic aisle, Ashton will go towards the food aisle, and Calum will go towards the toy section. So, I thought that we could get cool decorations." Luke responds. "Ok, good idea."

"Oh my gosh we have to get that." I say pointing at the big cheetah statue, painted hot pink. "Yes! We are so gonna win." I hop out of the cart to make room for the winning item. We find a pillow with peacock feathers stuck to it, and a mini telephone booth. "We should go look at the instruments." I tell Luke.

"Wow, that one is beautiful." I say pointing to the shiny turquoise acoustic guitar. "Yeah, It's pretty sick." He says putting the item in the cart. I check the price tag. "Holy crap, that's expensive." "It's a good brand, though. Do you play?" Luke asks me. "No, I know the basics, but that's pretty much it." "Well, if you would let me give you lessons, I would buy this pretty guitar for you." He says with a smile. "That would be amazing, but I can't let a boy buy me a guitar on the first date." I tell him. "How about I buy you the guitar, and give it to you on the second date." He says with a wink. I laugh. "Deal." We shake hands.

"Oh, no. It's 10:47. We only have six items."Luke says. So we run around the store grabbing random items and tossing them in the cart.

"It's 10:51. You guys are late." Ash tells us. "Have you been spending too much time with Louis, because you sound like a sass master from Doncaster." Calum says while snapping in a Z-formation. Ashton just glares at him. "I'm so sorry that I take this job very seriously." He says cracking up at the end. Soon, we all join in.

"Anyway, people back on track. I forgot to mention that whoever loses, has to buy all of the items in their cart." Ashton says to us. Michael throws a squeaky toy at his face. "I have selected Calum to be our judge, just because he's the coolest out of all of us." Calum bows and we applaud. "Hmm, very nice. I like the statue and the guitar. The peacock feathers are a very nice touch. Yes, very well done." Luke and I sigh in relief. "Good, I think he liked our items." Luke says smiling at me. "Yeah, we make a good team."

Calum finishes inspecting our carts. "Ok, this was a very difficult decision, but the loser of tonight's challenge is... drumroll please." We start banging on things. "Michael and London, because all they have is a frozen pizza and some video games." Calum announces. "Whatever, you just want me to buy the frozen pizza." Michael replies. Calum does a strange face and runs away.

We empty our cart, except for the guitar. "You really don't have to buy that for me." I tell Luke. "I know, but I really want to. I know it's kind of late, but do you want to come over and watch a movie?" He asks me. "Sure, as long as I can get a ride home." "Yeah, I'll take you home afterwards." He responds. I smile to myself.