Keeping Real - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 2

I pulled into the driveway of my house, glad to finally be done with the pressures of school and swim. Although I had looked forward to spending time with my mom, she proved another no-show. I pulled out my phone, already having expected the "Hey P. Another late night at the office. I won't be home till late tonight. Leftovers are in the fridge. Don't have Connor over."

I unlocked the front door and dropped my duffel on the stairs. "Luke?" I called out loudly, unsure if my brother was home or not. He had probably shut himself in his room, and was either sleeping or hitting up his video games. I went to the fridge and heated up the chow-mein in the fridge. My phone buzzed and the doorbell rang at the same time, and I scurried to the front door in my socks, curious.

"Hey babay," a voice intoned as I opened the door. Connor. My boyfriend of 6 months. I tried to be cheery but I honestly didn't feel like trying to force emotions for an individual who I was increasingly becoming tired of. Although his blonde hair and startlingly green eyes once had me in love, he had taken to presenting me as the trophy girlfriend, someone he could get brownie points for just because I happened to be Hemmings, the swim star. Hemmings, Luke's sister. "Hey Connor," I gave a small smile, hoping he wouldn't anger at the fact that "you can't come over right now. Mom's rule."

"Paige. Your Mom's not here. She's never here." He pushed past me into my house. "Besides, I'll only be here for, like, 10 minutes." I learned against my front door, thinking that of course my boyfriend would show up and refuse to leave. I sighed and followed Connor into the kitchen where he sat, finishing my chow-mein.

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "Hello? That's my food, Connor." He flashed me a grin, and handed me the rest. Which of course were the vegetables because what kind of person eats healthy? "Connor. We need to talk." He turned to me and raised his eyebrows.

"It is unacceptable for you to eat my food. That is the only thing in this world that I am truly passionate about, " I added sarcastically. "Ah, I see," was his only reply as he placed a chow-mein kiss on my cheek. I rolled my eyes, happy to spend some time with the goofy, lovable side of my boyfriend. The only part that I actually liked.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when my phone buzzed yet again. This time, I actually bothered to check it. I was suprised by the caller. I hushed Connor, who was currently belting out lyrics to a ridiculous rap song of his.

"Luke?" I asked, answering the call. "Paaaige," his voice slurred on the other end of the phone. "Why didn'tya pick up before?" he whined. I heard a loud bass drop in the background, and knew he had gone out to a party. Who knows what party it was, but our mother had strictly forbidden him to go anywhere, as he was grounded. He was drunk, and at a party. I glanced at the clock. 10:45.

"Luke, where are you?" I asked, and I was answered with the sound of lips smacking. I sighed in frustration. "Luke," I repeated, this time louder. "Huh?" was he staggered reply. "Where the hell are you."

"Oh. I'm at that one girl's house. Carmen? Connie. She has like really long hair, and a great.." he mumbled on. I groaned. He was at Connie's house. She was notorious for her parties, as the only way you could get in was with a six-pack of beer. She lived about twenty minutes away from our house. "Ok Luke. Just, stay where you are. I'm coming. Don't you dare get in a car." I heard unintelligible protest then a shout of delight before the line went dead.

I clenched my fists, took a deep breath, and imagined myself kicking through the water. In complete control over myself and the world around me. I grabbed my sweatshirt out of my bag, and pulled my keys from pocket. Connor sat in my living room, flipping through channels on the television, unaware of my situation. Only barely concealing my disgust for him, I said, "Connor. My brother is drunk. I am tired, and have to go get him. So please, just go." I gestured toward the door.

With apparent confusion, he stumbled out the door. More and more often Connor seemed to be an obstacle, not my support. He was disconnected from my life, and I think once he had me as his girlfriend he had no idea what to do. I knew he had to go soon, though his seldom moments of sweetness made me reluctant to do so.

Once he had left, I ran out into the still-warm spring air. On my way to Connie's I blasted Green Day in attempt to drown out my frustrations with my brother as well as the rest of life. 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams,' played. I smiled, thinking of Ashton in the showers earlier that night.

I pulled up to Connie's, and got out of the car. In my attempt to reach the front door, I had to skirt the various drunk couples making out on her front lawn. I opened her front door cautiously, as the party scene wasn't exactly where I fit in. I searched her large foyer, but did not find my brother amid the various groups, or, laying in a puddle of vomit, thankfully. I came upon her large backyard where a large mob of teenagers, all dancing to a lame pop song I couldn't recall the name of. I stood awkwardly at the door, searching for my brother.

"Ah, Hemmings. You did not strike me as a partier," a husky voice grabbed my attention. I turned, ready to defend myself against yet another person judging me upon my reputation. I had not expected to see Ashton Irwin, the only person who had made me smile all night.

I shook my head before answering, "I'm not. But everyone knows my brother is. So here I am again, saving his ass."

"Ah. So you're the heroine of the evening, are you?" He tipped his beer at me, as if congratulating me.

I rolled my eyes, and let out a small smile. "You wouldn't happen to know where my brother is, would you? Blonde. Lip piercing?" Ashton nodded his head to the crowd, where lanky blonde figure was emerging.

"Luke!" I called out. He materialized in front of me, half-dazed. "Luke. Let's go," I demanded, partially relieved I had found him. He shot me a reproachful look but attempted to follow me out of the house, but tripped on the doorstep, unable to support himself. I sighed, but before I could pick him up Ashton was there, helping him up and through the door. I smiled in thanks, and led the two out to my car.

After Luke was safely deposited in the passenger seat, Ashton came around to the drivers seat. I rolled down the window and turned to face him.

"Thanks," I said, slightly embarassed. He grinned, and shook his head. "It's no big deal."

As I started the car he laughed, "I know I'm repeating myself, but it seems you just can't keep away from me, so I'll say it again. Night Hemmings."

I attempted to hide my smile but still replied, "Night Irwin."