Height [Lashton AU]

Chapter 1

Luke makes his way over to the table where Calum and Michael are and notices that their eyes are concentrated in a certain direction.

"What are you looking at?" he asks, trying to see what the two are staring at.

"The new kid," Calum responds, squinting his eyes. "He's the one with the red bandanna wrapped around his head."

"Why are you looking at a new guy?"

"He looks cuddly," Michael adds. "But he also looks a bit intimidating."

Luke's eyes finally land on the boy and his eyes widen as he takes in the image. The new boy was wearing a shirt that exposed his muscular biceps and his large hands were holding a chicken sandwich.

His face isn't bad looking either, Luke thinks as he continues staring. He doesn't see how he's scary looking, but he does admit he looks cuddly. He starts heading over to the new boy, but then something wraps around his wrist and he looks to see Calum holding him back.

"What are you doing?" his brunet friend questions.

"I'mma talk to him," Luke answers, shrugging.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Michael says and Luke frowns at his two best friends.

"Why not? What's wrong with trying to make a new friend?"

"Just don't go over there. Someone else will be his friend."

Luke rolls his eyes. "You guys are ridiculous. I'm just going to talk to him, that's all." He forces his arm out of Calum's hold and walks over to the new kid.

Once Luke reaches the table the blond guy sits down in front of the new guy. When their eyes meet Luke just smiles at him.

"Hi," he greets. "I'm Luke."

"Okay," responds the boy, causing Luke's smile to fall.

"Well? What's your name?"

"Ashton."

"Hi."

"Hey."

Then awkward silence hangs above the two as Ashton finishes his lunch. Before Luke could say anything Ashton stuffs the last piece of his food into his mouth and stands up, picking up whatever trash he's left on the table and walking over to the trash bin.

"Wait!" Luke calls out, following Ashton.

The new guy dumps his trash away and he twists himself around, fully taking in Luke's appearance.

He frowns. "I don't like you already."

The blond's eyes widen and a look of confusion crosses his face. "What? Why? We just met!"

"You're too tall."

Luke is majorly confused at this point. He doesn't understand why Ashton doesn't like him, so he tries to think of how to get back onto his good side.

"Well, you're pretty tall, too," he says. "If I had to guess, I'd say you're at least six feet tall. That's pretty damn tall."

"But you're taller. I don't like guys who are taller than I am."

"Uh, I'm sorry for my height? It's not like I can control it or anything."

Ashton starts stepping towards Luke and the blond goes backwards until his back is against the wall. He jabs a finger into Luke's chest and glares into his blue eyes.

"Don't talk to me," the new boy hisses. "Don't go near me. Don't even think about me." And with that, Ashton leaves.

Luke knows he can handle not talking or going near Ashton. However, not thinking about him will be a bit of a challenge.

And because he is so intrigued by Ashton, he wants to get to know more about this new guy. And the only way he can do that is to talk to him and go near him.

Therefore, Luke doesn't intend on following Ashton's commands. He's determined to learn more about the new guy.