Rose | Ashton Irwin

chapter eighteen

Rose's POV

Nana squints her eyes to look at the group before pushing herself out of the seat. "What are you doing?!" I squeak, eyes flickering back and forth between them.

With a mischievous grin over her shoulder she nods forward, "Introducing myself." Before I can stop her she's moving forward, and in front of them within seconds. I panic for a moment, debating on hiding behind one of her many shopping bags before Nana jabs her thumb over her shoulder, toward me.

Ashton's eyes follow it before landing on me, narrowing. It's as if he studies me for a moment before realizing the situation. It almost looks as if he's about to push the blonde off before deciding to pull her closer into his chest, hand wrapping around her small waist. She lays her head down, her hand trailing up and down his other arm, and I can't help but realize how uncomfortable he looks. The view makes me feel sick, but with all of their eyes on me I force my way up and over.

"I was just introducing myself to Russie's friends here." She coos, laying her head on my brother's taller shoulder. I can almost see the way his face heats up from embarrassment with his friends around.

"I told you," He mumbles, "You already know them." When she raises an eyebrow he decided to add on, "As kids, Ashton and Olivia." I notice the way Ashton's eyes haven't left me, but when mine meet his he finally looks away with a light scoff. Olivia seems eager forus to leave so that she can have him all to herself.

"Oh!" Nana gasps, grasping both of their hands in hers, taking them both by shock. "Little Ashton and Olivia? I didn't even recognize you, you've gotten so big. I haven't seen you around in so long." She turns to Olivia who leans back as if to get away, but Nana doesn't seem to notice.

"Uh, yeah. I've been busy." Olivia lies,grimacing at the thought of us once being friends. Nana probably hadn't seen her since we were nine or ten. Before middle school Olivia loved when Nana was around, asking if she could help us bake treats such as cookies and her famous cakes. She asked what happened to her coming around for about a year, and when I started hanging out with Penny she thought they were the same person for about just as long.

"And Ashton," She changes the subject and turns toward the tall curly haired boy, his cold glare not putting her off in the slightest, "I've heard you've grown up to be quite the trouble maker. You're much more handsome now that's for sure." She leans up to pinch his cheek, but he pulls away. She just smile and nods back to my brother, "You two have always been so similar, two peas in a pod. I'm glad you're still friends."

Russell steps in as she trails down memory lane, stopping her, "We should probably get back, our food is getting cold, and you left your bags." She waves her hand to swat him away.

"So are you two dating?" She prys, clasping her hands together eagerly, always exciting at the thought of love.

Olivia looks stunned, but smirks, eyes flashing between me brother and I. From the corner of my eye I can see him clench his fist, knowing she's always aching for a reaction out of people. Despite her making her way around his friend group, it's obvious that the thought still bothers him. In a way I feel guilty, knowing that their flings started as a way to get back at me.

"Well-"

"No." Ashton states, noice rushed and firm. My eyes snap up to him but he's focused on something in the distance. Olivia rolls her eyes and steps away from him, arms crossed over her chest in an attempt to gain his attention, but it doesn't work.

"Oh, you'd make a lovely couple." She comments, oblivious to the tension in the air, "Come over for dinner one day will you? I would love to catch up a bit more." Without another word Nana turns on her heel and makes her way back to our table.