Distance // Ashton Irwin

9. Goodbye

The airport was filled with many people, all of them looked liked they were in a hurry. As Cleo and I pushed past people and kept walking up to where we would say our farewells, I felt tears building up in my eyes. I forcefully held them back.

Today was the day I would have to say goodbye to my bestfriend until the next time we saw each other. We continued walking until we reached the matching gate number that was printed on her ticket. We heard a flight attendent call something over the speaker and I could tell by the look in Cleo's eye that it was time for her to board her plane. Tears streamed down my face and I couldn't control my emotions. I was an emotional wreck. Cleo hugged me tightly, as we both cried. "Have a safe flight and text me when you get there!" I said taking a step back from Cleo and watching her as she joined the line to board the plane. She gave me a little wave before dissapearing.

I left the airport looking like a human waterfall. Tears continued to stream down my face and I was a mess. I wanted nothing more than to go with Cleo but I knew that I couldn't. Well this is going to suck. I hopped into my car and drove back to my house. Without checking my phone, I stormed into my room and sprawled out onto my bed. I didn't want to move, I just wanted to lie here forever but I couldn't.

After lying in bed for 2 hours, I climbed out of bed and decided to watch a bit of TV. After watching an episode of home and away, I decided to check my phone. I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

The first thing I did was check my twitter and opened my DMs

Ashton Irwin @Ashton5sos
Hey, what's your number?

Before I eventually come around to replying to Ashton I just sat there, in shock. Why did Ashton Irwin want my number? I had no idea and I was confused. But at the same time it made me smile.

Minutes after sending Ashton my number, my phone started buzzing and an unknown number appeared on my phone.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey Holly it's Ash."

"Hey Ash, what did you want my number for?"

"I thought sometime we could hangout, if you aren't busy maybe we could hangout later on today?"

I started to breathe heavily through the phone and I was worried that he noticed.

"Yeah okay, where are we going to hangout?"

"Uh, Michael's place. We're having like a BBQ here, I could pick you up if you like?"

I took a deep breath, so much was happening in one day.

"Yeah okay, I'll text you the address?"

"Sounds good, I'll be there soon."

The call ended and I felt every part of my body go numb. I was confused why Ashton continued to talk to me. He could talk to any girl he wanted and for some strange reason he chose to talk to me and invite me to hang out.

I shrugged. I guess I should make the most out of something like this, if Ashton wanted to talk to me and hang out then I wasn't going to stop him.

I got changed into something casual and waited out the front for Ashton. He pulled up in a small silver car, it kind of reminded me of Cleo's car, except his was in better condition.

"Hey!" He stuck his hand out the window and waved. I walked over to his car and climbed into the passanger seat. "So we meet again" I replied as I buckled up and Ashton took off.

The drive to Michael's was quiet, and Ashton had All Time Low playing from the minute we had left mine until the second we had pulled up at Michael's.

As we got out of the car, Michael came outside to greet us. "Told you she'll say yes" Michael said winking at Ashton. Ashton said nothing and just nudged Michael in the shoulder as we walked past and Michael chuckled.

I followed Ashton inside to be greeted by Luke and Calum. "Hey Holl!!" They called out before emerging from the couch.

"Hey!" I replied and hugged them both.

Although I had only met Luke, Michael and Calum once, it almost felt like I had known them forever. After they hugged me they started cracking bad jokes and walked over to the kitchen.

I loved their goofy personalities and they made me feel at ease when I talked to them.

I was still confused about Ashton though. He had a quirky and cheerful personality but I was confused where we stood. Was I still just some fan to him or were we starting to become friends? None of the other boys made me feel like this except Ashton. And I was still trying to work out why.

Calum and Luke pulled out a tray of sausages and started to head out side towards the BBQ. "Hey Holl, can you help carry some stuff?" Asked Michael with a cheeky grin as he handed me some stuff to take out with the other two. I walked outside and followed Luke and Calum to the BBQ.

Michael's parents had gone out so it was just me and the four boys. Calum and Luke had finished cooking the meat and Michael's mum had prepared salads earlier that Michael had placed on the outside table.

Michael was standing outside, handing out plastic plates and knives and forks. I walked over to one of the green chairs and sat down next to Luke. He grinned at me with a mouthfull of food.

After everyone had eaten Michael asked me to come into the kitchen with him. As we walked inside I caught Ashton glaring intensely at Michael. This had to be the first time I had ever seen Ashton not smiling.

"Come over here" said Michael directing me to follow him. "I'm coming."

"Can you take these outside to where I'm sitting?" He said handing me a few packets of doritos. As I started walking back outside Michael stopped me. "Wait.."

"Yes?"

I started walking back over to him. "You should talk to Ashton more, I think he feels left out" Michael said rubbing the back of his head.

Now I was starting to wonder what was going on. Maybe Ashton felt the awkwardness between us when we talked? Maybe he could tell that I was still trying to figure him out?

'Why can't I feel the same about Ashton as I do the other boys' I mumbled under my breath.

I continued to walk back outside and placed the bags of doritos on Michael's chair.

I sat back down next to Luke and Ashton stood up and walked inside.

Minutes past and I decided to carry the salads and meat inside since everyone had finished eating.

As I gathered up the food on the table I could hear Michael and Ashton bickering.

"What did you say to her?" I heard Ashton ask sternly. "I just told her to talk to you more."

I could hear Ashton sigh.

"You shouldn't of said anything!"

"Hey dude calm down, at least I didn't tell her you have the hots for her."

I felt my face go read. Ashton had the hots for me?

"Good" I heard Ashton reply. "Otherwise I would of killed you."

"Why are you so uptight about her anyway?" Michael asked.

"I don't know, it's awkward to talk to her sometimes because my mind goes blank, but for some reason I'm drawn to her.... she seems different..."

Luke stood up and gave me a shocked look when he saw the look on my face. I guess he had heard the conversatiom between Ash and Michael aswell.

I just stood there frozen. As much as I didn't want to admit it, I was also drawn to Ashton but I had been trying to tell myself that we could never be anything not even friends. 'He's too famous for you' I remember saying to myself a few days back.

"Here Holl, I'll help you" said Luke as he gave me a slight nudge. We both picked up a plate of food and walked into the kitchen.