He's Bad News [Lashton AU]

Chapter 17

As predicted, word soon got out about Ashton and I.

For the next week, we'd been the talk of the school and each class we entered, each time we walked through the lunch hall together, all eyes were on us.

No negative comments had been said though. I think Calum's glares had intimidated everyone enough to keep their mouths shut.

It was slightly awkward, however, it felt amazing to be out. Out as a couple. Out as gay.

I didn't care for anyones stares as we held hands through the corridors.

I didn't care for peoples reactions when I kissed Ashton.

Calum had pretty much become our body guard and would shoo anyone off who looked at us the wrong way.

I had felt myself beginning to change. Ever so slowly, but surely.

The hard, tough guy exterior that I had been putting on for years on end was slowly starting to melt down. I laughed more, I smiled more, I genuinely felt..happy. Ashton had improved a lot more too, a smile was constantly fixed to his face and he hadn't hurt himself since the day I had asked him to stop.

I glanced up and grinned as Ashton walked through the classroom to my desk.

"Good morning" he smiled as I craned my neck up and he leant down and kissed me slowly. I always felt my chest feel like it was about to explode whenever Ashton kissed me. I thought that stuff only happened in movies.

"Morning" I replied and bit my lip as we gazed at each other briefly. I never got tired of looking at Ashton.

"Hey, my brother is out later. You wanna come to mine after school and keep me some company?"

Ashton grinned at me and nodded. "I would love to"

He kissed me once more before leaving to his desk.

Michael and I hadn't spoken much since our arguement. He was still with us and he still joined in the conversations but he avoided me.

I was still a little pissed at him for accusing me of being the one to get Ashton high and he was still mad about me not being more careful to keep an eye on him.

The day dragged. Ashton and Calum being the only people to make it more bearable.

After school, we said goodbye to Calum and Michael who left for Calum's house. The two had gotten a lot closer since Ashton and Michael had joined our group and I liked to see that they were pretty much back to how they used to be. That was the one thing I had felt most guilty about when Michael and I stopped being friends. Calum was torn between the both of us.

The car journey back to my place consisted of Ashton and I talking about nothing in particular. I pulled up in the parking lot outside our grim set of appartments. We were officially on the bad side of town.

Ashton didn't look grossed out or like he wanted to flee so I took it as a good sign.

I led him up the stairs to my appartment. Building 104. Once we walked in, I threw my keys against the counter tops and locked the door behind us.

"Welcome to my crib" I said with open arms causing Ashton to giggle. He didn't seem phased by the mess or the size of the place.

I trudged over to the heat monitor.

"Sorry, it's so cold" I told him turning up the temperature and I suddenly felt Ashton's arms wrap around my waist, his lips brushing at my neck.

"We can always snuggle in your duvet can't we?" he suggested and I smiled turning round and wrapping my arms around his neck.