Out of Bounds || Ashton Irwin Fanfic

Chapter 15: Crossing the line

Luke and I stayed at my house for several nights; mum had been allowed home after another 2 nights in the hospital, so we helped dad out by preparing meals, cleaning up and keeping mum company why he went to run some errands. I hadn't mentioned my conversation with Ashton because I wasn't sure I could handle the 'I told you so' speech from Luke and I had tried my very best to just concentrate on my mum; she was my priority.

Calum had been super helpful and came to pick us up, he didn't pry for information on the drive home and he even allowed me to pick the music. Luke and I sat in silence in the backseat; our hands clasped together as usual. We had grown extremely close this past week, not romantically but as friends. I couldn't have made it through all of this without him.

"I think we should order out tonight. I'm sick of cooking" Luke suggested, giving me a slight nudge to let me know it was me he was talking to.

"Okay. What do you fancy?"

"Pizza!" Calum interrupted, giving us eye contact through his mirror.

"Who invited you?"

"I did"

"Pizza sounds good" I shrugged, secretly looking forward to having a night in with my friends. It would be my first lecture with ashton tomorrow since we had fallen out. I was anxious about seeing him but had made a plan of action which involved straight up ignoring him. I was there to learn and that was it.

"What you thinking about?" Luke burst into my thoughts, looking a little concerned.

"Just mum"

"So come on then... Where was Ashton when you needed him? Haven't heard you mention him for a while"

How was it that he could read me so well? I knew I'd have to tell him eventually and I couldn't think of a way to avoid his question.

"We split up"

"What? When?"

"Couple of days ago"

"Why?"

"Luke, I really don't want to talk about it. It's over and that's it" I probably came across as rude but I really didn't have the energy to go into the gruesome details. Ashton had basically had enough of me. The risk was too high and being with me wasn't worth it. That was the harsh reality.

"I'm sorry"

"No you're not"

"I'm sorry that it's made you sad but I'm kinda glad it's over. You're too good for him anyway, Alexa" Luke pinched my cheek and rested his hand on my thigh, "We grabbing food on the way home, Cal?"

"Yeah, might as well"

-

The three of us spent the night watching horror movies and binge eating. Luke had kept his face buried into my shoulder most of the time; claiming his eyes were sensitive to the flashing lights. At midnight there was a loud bang on the door and all three of us practically jumped out of our seats.

"Who's going to answer it then?" Luke asked, staring over at me. I shook my head and turned to Calum, hoping he would step up.

"You guys are pathetic. A zombie wouldn't knock at the door"

"What if they're not a zombie yet but they're in the process of turning?"

"Shut up, Luke"

When Calum opened the door we all caught a glimpse of Michael's, now lilac, hair peering through at us. He stepped inside and stumbled in to the wall, clearly drunk.