From That Moment || a.i.

2. Awkward Greetings

2. Awkward Greetings

"He's in our living room?" I pulled my mom away from the corner where she was trying to see the boys that had just entered our house.

I peeked around the corner where the group of boys sat chatting and laughing, "Yes mom! In our living room!" I was at a shouting whisper, trying not to let them hear me.

My mom jumps with excitement, "Oh well this is great! Right? You've been missing him!"

My mom had a point, I should be excited and hugging him, playing catch up with him. But it's exactly the opposite, the boy that I've been hoping to see has finally returned and I'm more scared than ever. What if he's changed? We've been separated for so long I feel like a stranger around him.

"Mom, I don't know how to act around him." I peek around the corner to make sure they're still occupied.

"Just get back out there before they get concerned, and get to know that blond one," my mom looks around the corner at the quiff-haired boy, "he's cute."

I roll my eyes and turn the corner, finding the boys staring back at me. I stop in my spot and look at the boys from left to right, finally coming back to Ashton, who looks content and relaxed.

I clear my throat and make my way over to the chair across from the couch, creating a gap between the group and I.

We sit in silence for a good period of time, the atmosphere became awkward, I made eye contact with Ashton, he looked excited but nervous. I took this time to realize how good time has been to him. His hair was now curly and blonder unlike how dark it was when he was younger. His body was more built, his biceps were showing through his tank top and I couldn't help but notice how muscular he has become. His face was much more sculpted and distinguished than last time I remember. His dimples clearly showed with even the slightest movement of his mouth.

"Should we introduce ourselves?" The green-eyed boy spoke to the group. When everyone looked at me and made no comment he spoke up, "I'm Michael Clifford but they call me Mikey." He rushes over to me and sticks out his hand, offering for me to shake it.

I shake his hand and decide to return the favor, "I'm Macy Marie Lansing but they call me Macy."

He finds himself smiling as he turns around to sit back down. Next was the tall blond, "Uh, hi. I'm Luke Hemmings. Also known as Luke." He stretches his arm across the table offering a fist bump, I almost fall over trying to accept his offer, "Hi, Macy." He nods and looks to the right, revealing the brown-eyed boy.

"I'm Calum Hood and before you ask no, I'm not Asian I'm Kiwi and Scottish."

His comment makes me chuckle, "I don't think she was going to ask that mate." Mikey slaps his shoulder, causing Calum to hit him back.

Luke who was right in the middle of them put his hands on both of their shoulders, "Children please, we're guests."

The boys stop hitting each other and look at Ashton, who has yet to introduce himself. When I look back at him he's staring at the floor, almost numb to what was going on.

Calum elbows his side, "mate." He turns his head to the group, "Your turn."

Ashton's confused gaze slowly meets mine. I can still read right through him like all years before, he's troubled by something. He feels the same way I do. He slowly gets up and walks over to me, outstretches his hand and with a hushed voice says, "I'm Ashton."

It was in that moment that I felt like everything we ever did as children had just faded away. The Ashton I was seeing now was not the same Ashton I had known years ago. Shaking his hand would mean a completely new start, but I didn't want that. I wanted my old Ash back. The hazel eyes staring down at mine told me the same thing, he was simply doing this for them.

I connected my hand with his, getting that familiar feeling that I had held onto from years ago. It sent shivers up my spine and forced me to remember the childhood that I had been trying to move on from. I immediately pulled my hand back down to my side and looked into those hazel eyes as I sat back down.

Clearly Ashton was taken aback by my reaction, his eyes filled with worry and he sat back down on the couch, rubbing his hands through his hair.

They boys' faces grew with concern as they witnessed our awkward greeting. I met eyes with Calum and he gave me a questioning look, I waved my hand in the air just as my mom entered the room.

"I hear we have special company today!"

Ashton's face lights up as he hears that familiar voice. He jumps off the couch and engulfs my mom into a hug, "Mama Lansing!"

"Oh Ashton! You've grown so much!" She pulls out of the hug to look him up and down, taking in every inch of him.

"It's so good to see you Ms. Lansing." Ashton's smile spreads across his face and I cant help but smile along with him. My mom was always like a second mother to him. My mom would call him the son she never had, unlike Ashton and I, their relationship will never change.

My mom turned to the boys on the couch, "and who are these young gentlemen?"

The boys got up and walked around the couch over to where my mom and Ashton were.

"Yeah these are my uh... Good friends." The boys wave and introduce themselves to my mom, "And have you met Macy?"

The boys nod and look over at me who is still occupying the recliner by the couch. I get up and make my way over to my mom, who is currently saving me from total awkwardness.

I stand at her side as she hooks her arm around my neck, making my face turn a bright shade of red, "It's good to see you back Ashton. Macy really needed someone after what-"

I elbow her in the side and plant a smile on my face in Ashton's direction. He laughs and grabs Luke's shoulder beside him, "Well we'd better get going I still have a lot of unpacking to do."

"Unpacking?" The word just falls out of my mouth and I feel guilt rise in my chest after saying it.

"Yeah we're moving back in." A smirk emerges on his face as he and the boys turn around to head out the door, "It was nice seeing both of you!" He waves a hand in our direction as I wave back at the boys. I find myself not wanting Ashton to leave, his presence made me realize how much I miss the old days.

"Bye Macy Marie!" Michael waves excitedly in my direction and I cant help but laugh at the boy.

As soon as the door closes behind him I sprint up to my room, grabbing every old picture I had of Ashton and heading towards the window that faced his old, well, new house.

Out the window I can see the boys happily walking across the driveway. Laughing about something ridiculous probably. I look at the old pictures of us together, with the other boys no where to be seen. Just the brunette and I being the best of friends that we were. I want more than ever to get that back, and maybe it will come. Its only a matter of time.

In the corner of my eye I could feel something, or someone I should say, staring at me. I look up to see the brunette watching me from a distance. He meets my gaze and does nothing but smile, his dimples only extenuating his already familiar face. I cant help but smile and wave back as the boy gets pulled further into the driveway by an excited Michael.

|| A/N

Hallow!

I'm getting pretty good at this whole quick update thing.

This chapter was kinda just a filler, getting to know people and stuff like that.

Hope you like it! Please comment, vote and star as you wish c:

<3 BTB