The Story of Us (Ashton Irwin)

5

I finish chapter four of Ashton and I's story. I close my laptop and I look up to see Michael standing in the doorway staring at me. I cock a brow and I put my laptop aside. He walks over silently and he sits down next to me, putting my laptop on his lap. He is about to crack it open when I snatch it away from him.

"No way," I say. "You cannot do that."

"Why not? You're always on that thing, furiously typing away at the keyboard. I wanna see what you're writing now. Fantasy? Horror?" He looks at me pointedly as if I am supposed to answer him.

"I'm just writing a story, Michael." I say. "That's all I'm going to say about that."

"Fine," he leans back and we're quiet again. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm holding up well, Mike." I sigh exasperated. Why do people always have to ask me this stupid question? The doorbell rings and Michael sits up. He's about to get out of bed when Luke yells 'I've got it!'. He lays back down and rubs at his face.

I open my laptop and I log onto Facebook. I go to Ashton's account to see a bunch of messages saying 'Rest in peace, you will always be in our hearts' 'We love you Ashton, hope you are in a better place' 'Well finally!'

Finally? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!

I click the comment button and I prepare to give that person shit.

'What the hell is that supposed to mean? Why the hell would you fucking comment that?'

I press Send and Michael looks over at my screen. I clickly close out the tab and he looks sadly at me.

"Wen-" he starts out, but Madeline walks in and sighs.

"Dear God!" She exclaims. "I thought you fuckin' died!"

I look over at her and then back at Michael then back at her once more. "Well," I say. "I'm not dead."

"Well that's obvious, Wendy." She rolls her green eyes and places a hand on her hip. "Wanna go get coffee?"

I nod. "Yeah, sure."

Luke walks over and he locks eyes with Madeline. "Hey Madeline, I didn't hear you come in."

"You're so stupid, Luke. You were the one who answered the door." Madeline scoffs and Luke blushes.

Madeline leans in and plants her lips on his. His eyes widen and then they close. Michael and I exchange looks and Calum walks in and drops his apple.

Madeline pulls back and Luke leans in for more. She holds up her hand says, "Nope. That's enough."

"Ugh! This always happens to me! Are you lesbian, Madeline?"

I gape as I stand up. "Luke!"

"What?! Usually when girls kiss me -- girls I know don't have feelings for me -- and don't let me kiss them again usually end up lesbian. Oh God...I turn girls lesbian!" He goes into hysterics and runs away.

We all stand there silent. Madeline just looks at her perfectly manicured bright blue nails. "Are we leaving or what?"

"U-um, yeah," I say totally confused on what had just happened.

"Don't worry," Madeline says. "I'm gonna apologise to Luke."

I grab my wallet and phone. "Okay good, because right now he probably thinks that Liz is going to come kill him."

"Liz won't do that," she says waving the thought off. "Let's go get coffee." She grabs my arm and drags out of Michael's room.

I stop and she almost looses her balance. She glances at me and raises her eyebrows.