Shy

▲4

“You sure you’re okay?” Ashton asked. 

I continued to stare across the room completely zoning off and not paying attention. I fiddled around with the leather strap from my purse. My body wanted to shut down earlier, and I couldn’t find out why. Was I home sick? Did I miss mom back home?

Ashton sat his drum sticks down on the ground. He sat down next to me on the sofa, resting his hand on my shoulder gently. He leaned in closer to my ears so that his hot minty breath was fanning against my neck. “Summer.” He whispered.

I jumped up slightly from his voice. “I’m alright. I lost myself for a second earlier, and I was panicking. Instead of calling my mom, I accidentally called you instead, and I shouldn’t have since you’re probably busy.” 

Ashton rested his head on my shoulder. “You scared me to death, Summer. I know we just met and all, but you made me nervous when I heard the way you were breathing. Not sure why Dean got so defensive over you, but oh well. I mean he is your co-worker. He knows you more than I do.” 

“I’m sorry.” I whispered, my voice cracking at the end. 

Ashton lifted his head away from my shoulder. He fixed his eyes on me, feeling bad himself that I made him scared. “You haven’t looked at me ever since I picked you up earlier. Maybe I can help you feel better.” 

“How?” I asked, eyes still glued to the floor. 

Ashton went to go pick up his drumming sticks he placed on the floor. “By teaching you how to drum, shy girl.” A smirk formed across his lips. Finally glancing up, I slowly smiled and walked over to the drum set. 

“Sit down right here on this bar stool with your back straight up.” Ashton advised. I followed his order sitting down with my back straight. Ashton grabbed another chair and placed it right behind me. Sitting himself down, I could feel his chest against my back. He wrapped his arms around me as he held onto the drum sticks. 

He laughed at himself before resting his head on my shoulder. “Is it okay if you hold the drum sticks, and my hands are on top of yours?” 

Nodding, I held the drum sticks while Ashton slipped his hands on top of mine. He gently squeezed both of my hands before teaching me each drum and cymbals. 

“Let’s start with something easy,” Ashton paused to think of a song he learned easily, “What makes you beautiful by One Direction?” 

Biting my lip, I don’t know why, but I shyly giggled like I always do. “Ashton is this a way of yours of calling me beautiful?” 

Ashton laughed. “Well yes I do think you’re beautiful, and this is a song easy to drum. Their drummer taught me to how drum it and I caught it pretty quickly. It’s the same old pattern throughout the entire song.” 

Ashton firmly held my small hands. He tapped on each drum showing me what each sound came out like. Once I got the first few beats, he let go of my hands to let me try it on my own. 

“Professional already?” Ashton joked. 

Passing back his sticks, I smiled. “Only to be taught by the most experience and best drummer.” 

Luke walked into the room along with Michael and their guitars. Ashton quickly scooted his chair away from mine acting as if no flirting happened. Michael arched his pierced eyebrow. 

“No need to be hiding anything. I mean as long as you guys are using a condom that’s fine with me.” Michael joked. Luke rolled his eyes as he sat down on the sofa. 

“What the hell?” Ashton spoke annoyed. 

“What he means is we heard you drumming to the song and we wanted to join in. Is that okay? Unless, you two want to be alone then we can leave.” Luke bit his lip piercing, shooting a playful wink towards Ashton. I pulled my beanie over my eyes from the awkward tension in the room.