Locked (l.h)

Twenty two

"Jane, we don't have to do this, you know." Luke says, leaning against the bathroom wall.

"I've already told you Luke. I want to."

"But your mom already hates me. If she finds out she'll kill me - and you!" He exclaims.

"She won't find out. She'll just think we were doing math all night - she'll never suspect we were at a party."

"Okay, just stay close? I don't know who's coming to this party and it's worrying me that they'll be around you."

"It's fine. It's Ashton's house, not some strangers."

I look down at the dress Luke had suggested I wear. I've only worn it once, and that was to Amber's party.

"Do I really look okay?" I ask.

"You look pretty damn hot, if you ask me." Ben smirks as he walks past the bathroom door.

"Ben, seriously. Stop hitting on my girlfriend. I know she's better than yours but that's no reason to be jealous." Luke says, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"I don't have a girlfriend, you dumbass." Ben snaps.

"That's not what Casey was saying this morning." Luke mutters.

Ben blanks Luke's comment and continues back down the stairs.

"Seriously, though. Are you sure I look fine?" I ask.

"You look fucking gorgeous." He whispers in my ear, trailing kisses down my neck.

"Luke, we should be leaving." I sing-song.

"Why? We could stay here." He mumbles into my neck.

"But what's the fun in that?" I chuckle.

Luke races me down the stairs and, because I'm in heels, he wins. "Mom! We're going to Ashton's!" Luke calls, slamming the door behind him.

"Make sure you behave!" Liz replies.

"As if." He mutters.

-

"Lukey boy! Plain Jane!" Ashton shouts through the crowded hallway. Luke clasps my hand tightly before leading me through the maze of people towards Ashton. Everyone seemed to be either drunk, making out with each other or dancing like a lunatic.

Eventually, we reach Ashton. "Hey, dude." Luke says, his hand still firmly grasped in mine.

"I think Michael's in the kitchen. He's absolutely smashed." Ashton laughs. "And Calum's disappeared with some girl."

"Let me guess, it's someone he's never met before?" Luke chuckles.

"Yeah, you'll never believe who it is." Ashton begins.

Realizing that this probably the beginning of a long and boring conversation about all the girls Calum's ever met, I think it's best to go find Michael. "I'm just gonna say hi to Michael." I say, releasing my hand from Luke's. I notice Luke go slightly tense once I've let go. "Relax, it's only Michael."

I squeeze past the dozens of people that fill up Ashton's house until I finally reach the kitchen. Almost every surface had been cover by bottles of wine, beer and hundreds of shot glasses. Michael, judging by the amount of bottles around him, had long ago started drinking the never ending supply of alcohol.

"You've got nearly a whole bar in here!" I exclaim.

"Janey!" Michael cheers. "Good to see you!"

"You only saw me this morning." I chuckle.

"Wow, that was ages ago. It's like times changing or something." He says, the unmistakeable hint of alcohol in his voice. "Do you want some beer?" He holds out a my little pony cup filled with beer. "Or we've got wine?" He holds up a large bottle.