Quarantined // A.I (completed)

[n i n e]

< April >
< Monday >

It's officially the worst week of the semester- finals week. I studied all last week and now I've gotta take all my tests and continue to study. Most of my classes are okay, my grades are fine, except for accounting. I'm really struggling with that.

Ashton's been around me during a finals week before but this one worse. I have to pass in order to graduate. I HAVE to pass my accounting test to at least pass with a D in the class. I'm currently failing- I've NEVER failed a class before and I didn't want it to be now.

I woke up before Ashton- which never happens- and went to the kitchen. I got coffee and sat at the counter with my school stuff up and began studying. I have my communications exam at noon so I had time.

I jumped when arms went around my torso and Ashton's chin rested on my shoulder.

"Good morning" he mumbled and pressed a kiss to my cheek, "What time do you have your test?"

"Noon. After I get done we can hang out" I promised and turned my head slightly to the side to look at him,

"Your parents texted us this morning. They wanna call later" Ashton nuzzled his face deeper into my neck.

"Oh, okay" I laughed. It's funny how Ashton hasn't met my family in person yet he's still in all the family group chats.

I kept studying and Ashton worked around the kitchen, making breakfast. I tried to keep studying but Ashton was making noise. He was humming and kept talking to himself. In all honesty, I really don't need to study for this exam, so I shut my stuff up and watched him. It took him a while but he noticed I wasn't studying.

"After your test, do you wanna go for a run and do a workout?" He grinned largely as he brought two plates over with pancakes and strawberries on them.

"See, this is why I date you" I smiled and kissed his cheek,

"I see. You're just using me for food and kisses" he scoffed with a jokingly eye roll. I nodded and he just smiled.

****

When it was time for my test, Ashton let me use his studio/office. He let me use his desktop Mac to take the test so that I could zoom my class on my IPad instead of my phone.

Periodically, Ashton would pop in asking if I needed anything. He brought me some lunch down at one point. It was sweet but I knew he was just wanting to hang out.

As soon as I finished, I logged off and ran up the stairs and found Ashton watching Friends re-runs on tv.

I snuck up behind the couch and leaned over, draping my arms around his shoulders and resting my head on him.

"Your parents want to call around 5. Want to get a quick workout in? I was thinking a run?" He turned his head slightly. I checked the time and saw it was 3. I nodded and he stood from the couch.

We got our shoes on and took off around the neighborhood. It was a simple run today and we stayed right with each other.

We ran a few blocks until we reached our usual stopping point then we turned around and began walking back.

Ashton grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers and lightly swung our hands between us. Every time he does this, I still get those little butterflies I always got when we first started dating two years ago.

"You know, I love going on walks and runs like this with you. I'm glad we're living together now and we can do this more often" Ashton spoke. I smiled and leaned into him,

"Me too" I grinned up. He giggled and released my hand and wrapped his arm around me to keep me close to his side, neither of us worrying that we were sweaty.

****

Arriving home, we showered then set up Facetime so we could talk to my parents. When my phone started ringing, Ashton reached forward and answered it before sitting back with me.

"Hi! How are you guys?" Ashton spoke as soon as my parents faces popped up.

"We're good honey. How are you two doing?" my mom grinned.

"We're good" I smiled and rested my head on Ashton's shoulder.

"How about finals? They started today right?" My dad spoke up.

"Yeah. My first one was today. I aced it" I shrugged making Ashton chuckle.

"Okay, so we will get to the point because I know you two have better things to do," my mom laughed, "Things here are clearing up. Would you two be able to fly out here? We can meet you Ashton and you all will be able to do stuff. We could have our vacation, just in our backyard"

I looked up at Ashton who was grinning.

"I'm sure we can make it work. We can wear masks on the plane and stuff" Ashton smiled. I placed my hand on his thigh and gave it a squeeze.

"Let me finish finals then we will get out there" I responded. My parents both nodded.

"None of your siblings will be here as far as we know" mom assured.

"We met your sisters boyfriend and dear god I hope they break up" my dad laughed. Ashton tensed and I think my dad noticed, "Don't worry son, we already like you"

"You've scared him. Way to go" my mom hit my dad's arm.

After my dad told us all the reasons he hates Cassie's boyfriend, my parents let us go and Ashton and I found plane tickets for next week.

Ashton stayed up for a while longer talking to the boys then he joined me in bed. We both fell asleep pretty quickly as he tucked me into his chest.