The Therapist's Son // Ashton Irwin [AU] ✔

14.

"So," I asked, a smile on my face as we walked farther down the street. "Where are we going?"

"Well, Miss America," I rolled my eyes, seeing that he had gone back to the old nickname. I blushed when his hand brushed mine, and I secretly wished he would hold my hand as we walked, but nothing more happened. "I thought that we could go to a diner down the street, grab something to eat, then maybe swim at one of my friend's house."

"One problem with your genius plan. I don't have a swimsuit." I stated, causing him to frown.

"I didn't think about that," Ashton admitted, and I laughed. "But he has a sister, you probably take about the same size. If not, he can always lend you a t-shirt or something, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Calum's pretty chill."

"Oh, speaking of friends, the strangest thing happened today," I said, looking both ways before I began crossing the street. "Would you happen to know someone with the name Michael? Bright hair, eyebrow piercing? You couldn't miss him."

"Uh, yeah."

"That's it?" I asked, waiting. "'Uh, yeah'? Can I hear more? Who is he?"

"Why are you asking me this?" Ashton asked.

"Because he talked to me today!" I quietly exclaimed, not wanting to draw too much attention to us as we walked. "He knew my name, and I had never seen him before in my life. Luke had to tell me who he was, but he didn't tell me much about him."

"You're still hanging out with that Luke guy?"

"Will you focus?" I asked, and Ashton rolled his eyes. "This isn't about Luke, and this isn't about you either. I need to know how this guy found out about me."

"He's Michael Clifford," Ashton said, as if it was obvious. "He knows everyone. Just...Try not to get too involved with the guy, okay?" I merely nodded as we continued walking, the silence more awkward than comfortable this time. I didn't like our fights - Big or small.

I almost jumped when Ashton's hand brushed mine again, and I looked over at him to see he was already looking at me. I cleared my throat, turning my head back to the sidewalk.

"Can I hold your hand?" His question came quickly.

"What?" I asked, slightly caught off guard. I wasn't expecting him to ask, I thought if he had wanted to do it, he would have just done it.

"Can I hold your hand?" He repeated, slower this time. I blushed before nodding, allowing him to take my hand in his. His hand was bigger than mine, and they were soft and rough all at once. I liked it.

Just like that, the silence had gone from slightly awkward back to soothing and welcoming in a matter of seconds.

*****

I didn't order anything but a soda at the diner, considering the fact that I was probably going to go back home and eat with my mother after going swimming. I wasn't sure if she was going to get take-out like she had these past few nights, or actually cook something. She knew I wasn't picky, but it would have been nice to eat a home-cooked meal like we used to have almost every night.

The walk to the house really wasn't as far as I thought it would be, which was good because we'd have more time to spend in the water.

"We don't need to knock," Ashton said, opening the unlocked door. "We've been friends for awhile, he doesn't mind."

"Is that you, Ash?" A voice called from another room. We went inside before closing the door behind us, standing there, waiting.

"Hey, Calum." Ashton greeted his friend as a boy walked in the room. The phrase tall, dark and handsome could definitely be used to describe this boy. His eyes landed on me and he smiled.