Verboten [lashton]

Chapter 2

What happened over the following week was not like the books and movies. At first, all Luke could think about was Ashton, and his lips and his smile-- just generally everything about him. But, as time wore on, and Luke was busy focusing on school, socialising, and just getting by in general, he forgot about Ashton. Not completely, of course. He was still in the back of his mind, lingering, waiting to be brought out again by a reminder such as that boy at the bus stop with dimples or that man at the supermarket with blonde, loose curly hair. But he was out of Luke's thoughts, which Luke thought was definitely for the better.

Then, Thursday came back around.

And all of that went out the window.

Because if Luke thought Ashton looked drop dead gorgeous last week, then he was a fucking Gucci model this week. Today, he was wearing a tighttighttight white singlet, along with shortshortshort blue shorts, and his legs, his fucking legs were so hot and wow, Luke was 106% sure he was dead. Or, if he wasn't, he would be soon.

It didn't help that Luke was assigned to train with Ashton (again) where he was running around like he wasn't driving Luke's hormones mad. Once again, Luke really, really wanted to go home. Maybe watch some lesbian porn to try and bring his straight side back. Yes, lesbian porn. Focus on the lesbian porn, Luke.

Oh, look, Ashton's bending over.

Lesbian. Porn.

"Luke! What the fuck are you doing, just standing there? If you want to make the A-team, fucking participate!" Calum hissed into his ear, startling him. Luke suddenly and horrifically realised that he had been doing nothing at all in this drill, which probably made him look like a completely awful player. As much as Luke wanted to have an internal battle with his soul, he was determined to make the A-team, so immediately started to give his all.

The others boys were genuinely surprised at how good Luke was when he actually began to try. The way he played was almost art; how he moved between the players and gracefully controlled the ball, almost as thought he was dancing with it. Ashton noticed, too.

"How come you weren't like this last week?" Ashton asked during their drink break, tapping Luke on the shoulder. Luke gulped, scared to look him in the eyes, not wanting to melt into the grass beneath him.

"Like what?" he mumbled, busying himself with opening his drink bottle and staring out at the soccer field, pretending to watch the girls train. Yes, he thought to himself, a very straight white boy thing to do. Keep staring at the females.

It annoyed him that he had to try and convince himself to act straight when he was supposed to be straight. It was like everything he had ever known about himself disappeared out the door the moment Ashton made an appearance.

What the fuck was up with that?

"Y'know, this. You were completely frozen last week. Didn't contribute at all. Then suddenly, here you are, the boy with a hidden talent," Ashton joked, and Luke finally decided that he had to look at him otherwise he would be being rude. He really wished that he hadn't.

"I don't know," Luke began, trying not to drown in the hazel pool of Ashton's eyes, "but I guess I was just a little weird last week. Like, not knowing anyone, and all."

Ashton smiled, all teeth and dimples. "Hey, I'm not the only new one! We've got to stick together, you and I. All these boys are completely familiar with Jack--," (Luke assumed this was the other coach), "-- and I'm just that new guy who's supposed to tell them what to do. Terrifying."