don't || a.irwin

1.3 // until our paths crossed again

Ashton's POV-

As soon as I saw Katie, my heart stopped and my stomach did a weird flip. I was filled with a weird sense of guilt, yet liking for her. Of course, I knew that I would most likely see her tonight -since it is her party after all - I was just hoping to avoid her though.

But after a the avoiding I had done in the past few months, I needed to clear things out. I needed to explain to her that I didn't stop talking to her on purpose. That there was a reason behind everything.

However, we're talking about Katie, here. She will most likely flip me off and continue to live her life swiftly, but then again, she acted different around me. Katie wasn't the type of girl to have two different personalities, but when it came to me, her happy, cheery, perky self could turn into a vengeful, hating, stubborn one. And that was not a side of Katie I wanted to mess with.

So, instead, I smoothly walked into the conversation that Michael and her were having. Katie looked down almost immediately when she acknowledged my presence. Mikey, however, just sort of clenched his jaw and rolled his eyes. He was the one to speak up for Katie,"Yes, Ashton? What do you need?"

"To talk to Katie for a second," I looked from Michael to Katie, whose head was still down as she kept her gaze on her shuffling feet. Katie clearly wanted nothing to do with me, and I understood that. But before she could make false accusations, I had to explain.

Michael defended her side once again, getting closer to me as the height difference made him seem more intimidating. "Well, guess wh-

"Guys," A new voice entered the conversation and it came from behind Katie. Due to the fact that she became alarmed by the strange voice, she hopped to my side, our arms grazing past each other. Luke was standing there, hands in his pockets as he nudged at us to come closer to him. I thought, if Calum was around, it'd be a family reunion.

But it happened to be that I wasn't the only one thinking about that. Because very faintly, past the booming music and shouting voices, I heard Katie faintly mutter my exact thoughts. I looked down at her and for the first time, I was able to look into those brown eyes of hers, and I fell for them once again.

She, however, didn't hold my gaze for much longer because she was quick to drop her head and look at the black-tiled floors. I was snapped back to reality and I slowly stalked over to Luke, who had a stern look on his face. I assume he just felt responsible because it was his second time being the designated driver, and the first time, it didn't go too well.

Luke looked up at both of us and shook his head 'no'. He knew what was about to happen. He knew we were about to reconnect with Katie, even though we had been told to stay away from her countless of times. "Guys, just leave her be, we don't have time for this."

"Luke," I began, running my fingers through my hair as I searched for the words to make him understand. He had never been in my position and that was clear to me, and that is exactly why he shouldn't be telling me what to do in this situation. "I already made the mistake of leaving her alone, I'm not gonna do it again."

"That's why I should get the chance to give it a go with her." Michael defended his ground. I hated to admit it, but he was technically right. Katie wasn't one for second chances and it is most likely that she'll end up with Michael, but I had hope and I had faith in Katie that she would choose me.

Luke rolled his eyes and held his hands up in surrender, letting out a loud sigh as he responded to both of our comments. It was really such a shame. I mean, lately, we had all been getting along and everything seemed perfect. It's almost comedic how this one girl can make us all change our perspectives on each other. "I'm not going through this again. Just know that she just left, so go play hide and seek with her. And don't get me and Cal involved."