It isn't all misery

Chapter 5

The fire had finally started raging, warming up the space where most of us sat. Jinxx, Sammi, Bex and Johnny had gotten up and started throwing a ball between them a few feet away from us. While Ed, Cammie and the rest of the band were talking, I noticed Madison and Tommy striking up a comfortable conversation. Suddenly feeling lost, I didn't know whether to sit with Madison, thereby interupting her chat with Tommy, go and chat with the others about whatever while they sat by the fire, or maybe get up and play with the four by the lake. Fortunately I didn't have to make the decision because Andy, Jake and Ashley had stood up and turned to me.

"We're going to go for a walk around the lake, want to come?" Ashley asked me. I peered out over the lake and wondered whether I should take my shoes. My laziness won as I just didn't want to carry them with me, so I left them on the ground and put my phone in my pocket, standing up and smiling at the boys.

"Sure" I said, gratefully taking Ashley's arm that he held out for me. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks so I tried to turn attention away from me quickly. "So what are you all up to lately?" I asked. I would've asked about their album but I didn't want to sound like an intruding fan, especially since as a fan and girl they hardly knew they'd invited me to such a personal kind of outing. Although I did want to know, and luckily it just fell into the conversation.

"Studio" Andy stated. "We've been in the studio a lot, tracking and stuff, recording a lot now. It's coming along so well" I could see the glint in his eye as he looked and me and spoke about his work. It was so nice.

"Yeah, I mean, you've probably already heard this, but we've had so much more time to spend on this record, the whole process has been so much more relaxed and we've really been able to put our all into it, it could be our best record yet" Jake added. Of course I had heard, I was a keen member of the army, but I wasn't going to take the joy away from them telling me about it by telling them I've heard it all before. 

Jake stopped talking and picked up a pebble, skimming it across the water. "3" he stated, and then turned to us. "Beat 3" he challenged Andy.

Andy raised his infamous eyebrow at the challenge and looked for a suitable pebble to throw. Targeting the rock he picks it up and launches it across the water, beating Jake with a modest 4 skims. 

"Good enough for me" he says. "Why don't you guys have a try? Evie?" 

I smile shyly and let go of Ashley's arm which I'm still holding. I pick up the closest pebble to my feet and throw it pathetically. It skims gently once and then sinks shamefully. "I've never been the best at doing that" I admit, shrugging.

Andy laughs and picks up another piece of rock. Standing behind me he takes my hand and I can feel myself blushing. Curse my sensitive cheeks.

"It's all in the wrist and the way you aim" he tells me. He puts the pebble in my hand and holds it there guiding my arm back and forth, demonstrating how to throw. "And..." he trails off. We let go of the pebble and it reaches two skims before falling beneath the water again. "Well that was better" he chuckles. He steps away and I let out a breath that I didn't realise I'd been holding.

"But nobody can beat me" Ashley says confidently. He pulls his sunglasses up and rests them on his head, then makes his move, thrashing us as his pebble skims the water six times. He turns and looks at us all smugly with a smirk.

"Yeah, alright dude" Jake tells him. They laugh and we carry on walking. I'm walking on the end now, next to Ashley. As I walk and sway my arms my hand brushes against his, and I quickly pull my hand to my side. He looks at me and smiles then looks back down at the ground as we walk in a comfortable silence. God, what does this man see in me? He gave his number to me, he's invited me out, he texts me...But I'm nothing! I'm invisible and quiet and the awkward friend who stands by while Madison gets hit on. Yet here is this rockstar smiling at me as we walk, bumping into me playfully. I just don't get it.

"Hey, you guys go ahead, we'll catch up in a minute" Ashley said suddenly, grabbing my head and walking me the opposite way from Jake and Andy.

"See you back at the fire" they call back as we walk off. My hearts beating as Ashley holds my hand and we make our way out of earshot from anyone. I'm too shy to ask what he's doing so I let him pull me along, then he turns to me and smiles. He lets go of my hand and I let my arm drop to my side.

"So, I'm going to get straight to it, I mean, I don't give my number away to just anyone, you know?" he tells me. I nod. 

"So would you like to go out sometime, just the two of us? Maybe dinner...a club...?" he grins with an eyebrow raised. He's confident. But let's face it, why would Ashley Purdy get nervous asking a girl out?

Wait did Ashley Purdy just ask me out?!

"Y-yes, I like, I" I stutter. I pause and start again. "I would love to" I breathe.

"Great" he says. "You're a great girl Evie, it'll be fun" he winks and lowers his sunglasses on his head back down to his eyes with a cheeky grin. You blush and look to the floor, but you can't stop smiling. You feel Ashley arm snake its way around your shoulders.

"Come on then. Let's get back to the guys"