Laconic » a.i

4.9

//ashton//

I woke up next to Jeremy the next morning. Me and him were the only boys that slept besides Calum, who would just sleep in the living room. Annie slept with Sarah in my old room.

I sat up and grabbed my sunglasses from the nightstand before silently walking out of the room, still in clothes from yesterday. I spent all afternoon cleaning up with Michael, which also included a trip to the laundromat down the street to clean my bedding. I walked into the living room to see Calum was sleeping with his head on Noel's shoulder, and Emily and Luke sitting close together next to them. Michael sat on the floor next to Noel's side of the couch. I assumed Annie and Sarah were still sleeping.

"Morning, Ashton." Emily's soft voice greeted.

I turned and gave a tiny wave but didn't actually say anything other than that. I looked through the cupboard in search of the coffee before putting some into a clean filter in the coffee maker and turning it on. I went to sit in the old rocking chair by the couch to wait for it. I found myself looking at Noel who was spacing out yet again. She felt my staring and met my eyes.

"What?" she asked.

I quirked an eyebrow and tilted my head. What are you thinking about?

She chuckled, "Looking for Ella's future. It's starting to fade a lot and I don't understand why. Do you think maybe vampires have a shield too?"

I just shrugged. It was possible; we'd never run into any vampires before so how were we supposed to know?

"I don't get why you're still looking out for her when she obviously doesn't want you to," Luke grumbled, staring straight ahead. He never seemed to look at anyone anymore unless he was yelling at them. "If she's stupid enough to go off on her own after bitching out her friends, I say fuck her."

"Stop being so moody," Noel shot back. "You've been rude to Michael, who's been your friend for years, and he's still here for you."

"What's he done for me lately?" Luke scoffed.

"More like what hasn't he done," Noel laughed darkly. "He should've kicked your ass when you pushed all the blame on him but he was nice about it and has been giving you space."

"He is to-"

"Guys," Jeremy's quiet voice broke their rising argument, "please, not now."

"Sorry," Noel nodded as Luke mumbled a, "Sorry."

The coffee maker beeped to let me know it was done but I really didn't want to get up now.

"Who made coffee?" Jeremy asked from the kitchen.

"Ashton." Emily replied boredly, her head falling onto Luke's shoulder.

"Can I have some?"

I turned my head to face him and nodded. He gave a small smile before I turned back around. I'd get to my coffee eventually.

The other bedroom door flew open and the small, strawberry-blonde girl strolled out looking oh-so happy -- I was probably the only one who knew why. She inhaled deeply and exhaled before leaning down at her waist to kiss the top of Michael's head. She stood up straight again, smiled, and said, "I smelled coffee."

She looked to the kitchen where Jeremy was probably making a cup and skipped her way over. Leave it to Annie to bring sunshine into a tense room.

Sarah stumbled out after her with a bad case of bed-head and her glasses falling off her nose, "How is she so cheery right now?"

Annie hummed before singing an, "I don't know."

Jeremy walked up behind me and handed me a mug full of coffee. I nodded and smiled as thanks before taking a sip and getting more comfortable in my chair.