My Youth ✔

Chapter 24: Invitation

Cody's POV
"So you're inviting me to a party?" Ashton scoffs and shakes his head with a small smile.

"Yeah, are you turning it down?" I ask while stopping at a stop sign then driving again.

"You do realize this is like freshman year again, except I've changed a lot." he says with his eyes flickering to me.

"Is it?" I ask thinking back to those days.

"You invited me to a party, it was a disaster. It's not my space, and I know it really isn't yours either." he says with a shrug.

"It is my space, I'm great at parties." I grumble causing him to roll his eyes.

"K, well I'm not going. But thanks for the offer." he says laying his head against his fist, on the passenger door.

"I figured you would say no, so I came up with a plan B." I say making a sudden turn, causing him to jump a little.

"Wh-Why am I not surprised." he laughs a little, glancing at me. "Oh yeah, because it doesn't seem like you changed much from freshman year."

"Nice blow, now hear me out." I say hearing him sigh, meaning I could probably continue. "Go there with me, and if you don't like it then you can leave. I'll drive you home as soon as possible. But it can't be right at the door." I say pointing and accusing finger his way, as he rolls his eyes.

"No deal, now take me home." he says making me sigh and make a turn, getting closer to his place.

It was like we were close to friendship, or maybe we were already there. Things just weren't the same, unlike my other friends. We were still a pack, the same old pack. No changes really. But Ashton didn't even look like how he did before.

Eventually I pulled up to his place. He gave me one more look before undoing his seatbelt and getting out of the car. All he said was a "see ya" before heading to the door. I got the courage and honked the horn. He turned around immediately after jumping and shot me a dirty look.

"See ya." I said saluting with a wink and he rolled his eyes, but he had a small smile before going inside.

Before I knew it I was being integrated by Darby in the car while he drove, and Austin sat in the front with him. Austin also would help integrate here and there.

"So you're totally not going to ask Logan or Austin to homecoming? I mean it would be an easy date. You wouldn't have to worry about Piper trying to set you up with who knows who." Darby blabbers on and on while I tried to find some peace by looking out the window.

"I'm not asking either of those two to the prom. And Ashton didn't even accept my invite to this party." I grumble causing Darby to look at me in the rearview mirror with wide eyes.

"You asked him out to the party? Guess rejection would make you want to not ask again, huh." Darby says making me glare.

"I didn't ask him out, just thought he may want to hang out more." I say shrugging.

"At a party, Ashton doesn't do parties. Or any social gatherings honestly." Austin snorted and I shot him a glare. "Don't get mad at me, I would think you would have known."

"Whatever, let's just get to this party." I say signing and Darby turns on the radio humming along to whatever pop song that is playing with obvious auto tune.

Once we get there, music is pumping through huge grey speakers, some green and red lights going around, and people dancing or standing around. It wasn't too obnoxious as many parties I have been to before, and the place was big but not like a mansion, still I would probably get lost. Darby was soon dragged away for beer pong but it was with root beer floats. So I found myself following or near him or Austin most of the time I was there.

I hated following aimlessly behind people. When I was with Logan it didn't feel like I was following him. We were hanging out, I was included in...Logan! That's right, he's supposed to be here.

I glanced at Darby who was still playing the game and Austin was chatting it up with folks. After taking a deep breath, I slipped away. I just hoped I wouldn't get too lost.

Instead of finding Logan, I found my sister.

Hey sorry you all if things seem a bit slow or too fast! This story is kind of old so working with my old ideas is a bit difficult but much easier for me to do instead of trying to make many new ones. It would have probably be longer if I included all I wanted in this chapter but probably wouldn't have been updated today. But thank you all for reading!