Walkman [Lashton AU]

Chapter 8

i cannot expression how ANNOYED i was when i googled Reservoir Dog and found out the movie was out in 1992. One fuckING YEAR OFF AHHH. I was honestly about to change the date of this whole book, but then it'd ruin it lol. So i changed the character Ashton was dressed as in the pic, ok. Cause i love the costume...

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October, 1991 | "We're All Mad Here."

Since coming out to Ashton, a weight has been lifted off of Luke's shoulder. He never realized how heavy it truly was, but he couldn't shake the urge to tell someone else. To tell everyone. Just letting Ashton know he's gay made him eager to tell the next person. However, he knew he couldn't do that.

He realized this when he went to school the next day and saw his friends using the derogative words that made Luke grimace because they would never understand or accept him.

Not the way Ashton did.

He knew there was a chance they would 'accept' him, but it wouldn't be the way he hoped. They wouldn't hug him and comfort him like Ashton did. If they ever accepted Luke, it would be in a reluctant manner and no one likes reluctance. It's like being forced to accept reality, and he didn't want to force them to accept him.

It honestly doesn't surprise him that to this day, he never actually told them anything. They were never those friends you open up to. They act like it, and have been friends for years, but it's mainly because they have to be. They live near each other, their parents are decently friends and they go to the same school. They were bound to hang out one day.

But, Ashton's different. Luke can sit down and tell him about his day and Ashton would listen to him and even care. The thing with guys is that they do like talking about emotions and feelings, but it's hard to open up to someone without being judged. When he tried talking to the guys, they just tease him and change the subject. Not Ashton, though.

Despite this, Luke is noticing that Calum is more curious about his life. Whether that be genuine interest or out of pure curiosity, he didn't know. He just recalled Calum giving him this look during class that morning and staring at him in a way that made Luke feel naked.

He was starting to be worried.

When lunch rolled around, Luke sat alone as he waited for his friends. He was writing down a list of songs that he thought Ashton might like. They talk more on the bus and it's mainly about music, but sometimes deeper things. He liked talking to Ashton.

"The Clash? Really?"

Luke looked up in surprise, face flushed when he saw Aleisha giving him a judgmental look. She snatched the paper and scoffed, "That's the shit my dad listens to."

"They're good."

She looked over the list and listed off bemused, "Queens, Kiss, Guns N' Roses, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, AC/ DC, Scorpions, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Metallica - this is all rock and weird garage band shit. Oh, and then you nonchalantly added Whitney Houston."

"She's amazing, don't judge me," he blushed as he took the paper back.

"What's the list for?" Aleisha asked shyly, biting her bottom lip.

He hesitated, realizing he was technically dating her and the songs he listed were love songs. He purposely did it, but knew Ashton wouldn't think much of it. They were songs that made him think of Ashton. She must have noticed the titles were rather romantic and it made him worry that he was being a little more obvious than he thought.

However, he told her with a brght smile, "Oh, I was just bored."

The hope in her eyes dimmed and her smile slipped a bit. "Oh. Okay. Well uh, I wanted to know what you were going as for the Halloween party. I thought we could match."