I look quickly over to Luke, as if he could in any way control what was happening, when I knew it was my fault for calling out to Ashton. Luke looks at me with a pained expression that tells me I should not have fought so hard to come inside.
I stand up straight and stand a bit behind Luke before speaking up. My nerves start to set in and I tug on the ends of my sweater sleeves.
Fuck. I can't tell him who I am to Ashton or else he's going to use it against him. But if I say I'm just someone wanting a job or a chance, maybe he'll let Ashton go?
"Well? Speak up pixie." Michaels words come curling from his mouth which has curled into a curious smirk.
Pixie? The fuck?
I wanted to speak, but the words couldn't form fast enough. That or I just completely forgot how to speak altogether.
"Yea, uh. Pixie has a name, and that name is Lake. I have a class with Ashton and he was supposed to turn in part of a research project that we're working on together. I saw his car parked out front and thought he would be in here, so this kind gentleman let me in so I could talk to Ashton."
All I could hope was that I sounded like I wasn't lying, because for the love of god, I cannot lie. And the thought of Ashton lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood all bruised up, did not help.
Luke pulled me a bit closer and nodded.
"I saw her walking up and asked what she wanted. Do you happen to know where Ash is, Michael?"
Luke knew I was lying, which means he either wanted to help me or he didn't want to get himself in trouble, which I can't blame him. But the fact that he would willingly lie to help either of us, means that I can trust him to some extent.
Michael stepped forward and extended a hand out towards my face, placing his palm on my left cheek. I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment from the unwarranted touch. Ashton didn't explain Michael very much to me, so I wasn't sure of what to expect from him, other than the fact that he was pretty much the boss that ran everything, and that everyone feared. But he had colored hair, and looked like the others, just a bit bigger which he probably used to his advantage when Calum couldn't do enough to appease Michael. I could only tell by the cuts and scrapes along Michael's knuckles.
He looked me over, turning my face before finally speaking.
"Okay. Let me go get him, and meanwhile, Luke here can keep you busy I'm sure."
I looked over to Luke as Michael turned and walked towards the room that I saw Ashton lying in. He was twisting his lip ring in his mouth, which seemed to be his tell for when he was anxious or nervous.
"... t-thank you, Luke. You didn't have to go along with my lie. But I couldn't risk him knowing who I am too Ashton." I lowered my head in shame.
Luke tilted my head back up and winked at me.
"Don't worry about it. I know if the roles would have been reversed, Ashton would've done the same for me. He wouldn't have been as quick to do it, but he would've. He wants this to end as much as Calum and I."
Luke shrugged and took me over to a bench to wait.
"If we followed Michael into the room, it could've come off as odd or suspicious, so our best bet is to just wait here."
Luke sits down next to me and starts to pick at his jeans. I nod my head and start to pick at my nails.
|~*~|
