Runaway - Ashton Irwin

Chapter 7

It was Friday and the end of my first week of work, I put on my blue silk jacket and wandered into the record store next door. Me and Ashton had gotten lunch together almost everyday this week. I really enjoyed his company and was glad I'd made friends so soon after moving here, even if we did make friends in a really embarrassing way. I found Ashton behind the counter, chatting to a girl with red dreads. 

   "Hey, its my favourite person!" He shouted when he spotted me. I smiled at him and leaned on the counter. 

   "Lunch?" He  spun around and grabbed his jacket. I turned to the girl and offered a friendly smile. She stuck out her hand for me to shake. 

   "Hey, I'm Dani. Ashton's former favourite person. I warn you, he changes his mind quickly." Before I could answer, Ashton was by my side, taking my arm.

   "Jealousy is an ugly emotion Dani." He chuckled and pulled me out of the store and down the street. 

   "She seems..." Ashton laughed as I struggled to find words. 

   "Yeah, she's hard to get used to, but she works part time at my store, so I kind of had to get used to her." We slipped quickly into our favourite diner, and into the booth we'd occupied for most of the week. "So, today's the day." I had filled Ashton in on my promise to call my mom by the end of the week, I now regretted that decision. I groaned and threw my head back. 

   "Do I really have to? Like, today?" He ordered for us, and then looked back to me, nodding his head. 

   "Or at least video call your sister and show her the house, that way she'll know you're okay." 

   "That one. I choose that one." 

I ran around my house giving it a quick clean before calling Kelsey. Ashton sat on my couch,  watching TV. 

   "You know you can't be here when I call her. She knows our band, she'll freak." He covered his eyes with his hands and laughed. 

   "I forgot. I'll just stay out of shot, and be really quiet. Promise." I sighed but decided to let him stay, I already had dinner in the oven and I'd made more than enough for two of us. 

I picked up my phone and scrolled down to my sisters name, she answered on the second ring. 

   "How are you?" She asked, and then I saw my brother's shaggy blonde hair pop up behind her. 

   "You know what Addie, I didn't think you had it in you." he laughed and rubbed his stubble. "But this, this is pretty badass, even for you." I smiled at his disbelief. 

   "I miss you Sammy." I did, I really did miss him, and my other brother. But mostly, I missed Kelsey. I walked around my house, showing them all of the different rooms, shooing Ashton out of shot. It was going really well, until I heard Ashton calling from the kitchen. 

   "Addie, should I take dinner out? It's already burning." Kelsey's face scrunched up on the phone screen. 

   "That boy's there again? Who is he, Addie?" I walked into the kitchen and watched him take dinner out of the oven, fully expecting him to drop it. 

   "He's just a friend Kels, don't sweat it." 

   "She moved there for a boy? Okay, that's a lot less badass." My brother scowled. 

   "Oh my gosh, I did not move here to be with Ash, okay? I met him when I moved in." 

   "Yeah yeah, we believe you." They both laughed and I shook my head. 

   "Okay, I'm leaving. I'll call you guys tomorrow." I put the phone down and joined Ashton at the kitchen table. 

   "Was that really so bad?" he asked, putting dinner down in front of me. 

   "No, it was actually really nice to speak to them. I'm glad I did it. Still have to decide what to do about Mom though." 

   "You'll figure it out, you're clever." He touched my arm and I smiled. Ashton really was gorgeous, my favourite thing about him was his hair, curly and blonde, and the black glasses he wore when he was working. Very cute. 

We ate the pie that I'd made and then I decided it was time for bed. 

   "What are we doing tomorrow?" Ashton asked, putting on his coat and shoes. 

   "We?" 

   "Yes, we. Let's do something. Actually, i'm gonna surprise you." I laughed and stood by the door as he walked down the garden path. 

   "See you tomorrow, then" I shouted, and he waved as he walked down the street.