Something New and Unpredictable

Starbucks

-Michael-

"Damn it, Michael. Get off!" Luke chuckled, pushing me on to the floor beside him. He hated it when I jumped on him. And I just loved to make his skin crawl.

I smiled and sat up, crawling over to the couch. We had been stuck inside by ourselves for a few days. We were in New York for a few months, writing a new record. I was itching to get out of the house, and bothering everyone on purpose.

Ashton liked to fix it for me with a walk to the Starbucks on the corner. It wasn't far, but there was this barista that I enjoyed seeing when I went. After finding my shoes and sunglasses and slipping out the door with Ash, we started our walk. It was nice out today, not a cloud in sight. But honestly I didn't care if it was hailing trucks, I'd get there.

"So are you going to talk to her today?.."Ash chuckled. Her caught me off guard.

"Wha-what do you mean?" I stumbled over my words, eyes glued to the sidewalk.

"The girl behind the counter, Mikey.. I'm not stupid. I've seen the way you look at her."

I shook my head and kept my head down, not wanting to talk about it. Who would want someone like me?

"What do you mean 'someone like you'" Ash asked harshly, stoping in his tracks. I turned around to face him, I hadn't meant to say that aloud. He hated it.

"I just.. I don't know, Ashton, okay?.." I turned around, and kept walking towards the store.

"Stop right there Gordon. Listen to me. You're not nearly as bad as you think, hell you aren't bad at all. Now you're going to talk to her. We won't leave until you do. I'll do it for you if I have to." He snapped.

"Fucking fine!" I groaned, shoving my hands into my pockets. I had 100 feet to figure out how I was going to actually talk. I get all nervous and damn it I hate it. I walked as slowly as I could and hoped she was off today. But its Tuesday. I know she works.

Perfect.

I sighed, walking into the store, my hands tugging at the light colored sweater that hung loosely on me. It was honestly huge, and it was nearly 60° outside. But I loved it.. I walked up to the counter, shaking a little as Ashton talked to her. I probably looked ridiculous staring at her like that. She looked over at me and smiled.

"And what will you have, love?" She looked me up and down and I immediately got more self conscious. I blushed a little and stared at the countertop.

"He'll have iced coffee today.. I think." Ashton chuckled.

"God no." I covered my mouth, letting it slip. She stared at me a moment. Oh no.. She thinks I sound stupid. Great going, Michael.

"It speaks!" She smiled, reaching over the counter and ruffling my hair. "You've been a regular here for nearly a month and those are the only words I've heard out of you. Happy I stuck around for it." She smiled and picked up a cup.

"Now, will you tell me your name? Or do I just refer to you as 'Ashtons friend'" she giggled, causing my face to turn red.

"I'm- My name is Michael.."

"I know, everyone does. I just wanted to hear you say something else. I'm Ashlyn." She winked at me, handing me my cup.

French vanilla and a bit of hazelnut in my coffee is always good. Ashton got some weird pink thing.  A smoothie or something. Hell if I know.

"Well we better be off. See you around!" Ashton smiled, lightly tugging me towards the door. I waved a little.

"Bye Ashton! Bye Michael!" She said, returning to her work. Once outside Ashton turned to me, a stupid grin on his face.

"You suck at talking to women. Good thing she's into you."

"Fuck you, Ash." I sighed, taking a drink of my coffee. I didn't really like coffee that much. But she made this.

"Look at your cup, Mike." He said, I could hear the smile in his voice. I looked at my cup, nearly dropping it on the ground. There, beside my name was a phone number. Oh and a heart. Don't forget the heart.

"Oh...My GOD. WHAT DO I DO." I screamed, panic setting in. Ash stepped over to me  wrapping an arm around me.

"I'll tell you what you do. Call her. Invite her over."

"For what.."

"A movie. We've got Netflix." He chuckled as we got to the front door. I freaked out for nearly an hour before I finally worked up the balls to call. I typed the number and hit call, freaking out internally.

"Hello?"

"U-Uh.. Hi.. This is Michael.."

"Oh! Hello!"

"I.. I was wondering if you wanted to come over and watch a movie or something?"

"Um.. Yeah.. I would. That sounds great. Meet me at the store at 8?"

"Okay! Ill see you then! Bye.."

"Bye"

After I hung up the phone I nearly screamed. She was coming over. To my house. I rushed upstairs.

"Everyone listen!" I shouted, getting everyone to look at me.

"What?" Calum threw a sock at me. Ashton and Luke turned to look at me.

"I've got someone coming over to watch movies with me tonight and I don't want any of you ruining it." I stated. They laughed.

"It's the girl from the coffee shop isn't it." Luke giggled. I smacked him in the back of the head.

"Shut the hell up. She's got a name. Her name is Ashlyn."

"Maybe you just like her cause her name sounds like Ashton. Got a thing for Ash?" He chuckled. I hit him again.

"Just shut up and stay up here. All of you!" I turned to leave and stopped.

"Oh and I love you guys. See you in a while."

---

So I've started this story. I absolutely love Clifford, and am to ugly to have him, though I'm the right age. So it's turned into a fanfic.