airports // 5sos au

xii.

| ashton |

I feel a small finger tap my shoulder. I sit up so I'm not resting my crossed arms and my head on my desk, and look at who tapped me.

"Hey there, stranger," Emily, Meghan's best friend, smiles at me.

"Hey," I smile back. She sits in the seat next to me after I gesture for her to do so.

"I didn't know you were in AP Biology," She says.

"Bet you didn't know I made it into AP Theatre either," I chuckle.

"No, I did. Meghan told me you were in her class."

"Of course," I nod.

"So, just a rundown on the class, there's not a lot of homework, it's pretty chill, there's a lot of vocab, though, and the teacher is kinda odd. She loves me though, so stick with me, kid, you'll go far in this class."

"She loves you?"

"I don't understand it. I'm such a little shit in this class, but she doesn't find any fault! It kind of annoys me, honestly," She rolls her eyes.

"You're really straightforward," I say with a laugh.

"Do you mind if I curse? I always forget to ask that. Some people really don't like it when I do..." She looks at me with wide eyes.

"Nah, it's not a big deal to me," I wave her off.

"That's great, because sometimes I can't seem to censor myself," She chuckles, "And sometimes I talk to much, like right now.."

I laugh as she trails off awkwardly. I give her a smile and that makes her smile, too.

"So, as Meghan's best friend, I kind of have to inspect you and form an opinion of you. She most likely won't listen to my opinion, but it comes with the title," Emily shrugs.

"Go ahead," I nod.

"I'll find a way soon, but I have loads of homework this week."

"Me, too, is it always like this?"

"Welcome to high school, dude."

I sigh as Ms. Nichols starts class. She greets us, introduces herself to me, and thankfully doesn't make me stand up and introduce myself to the class.

We are told that we'll start our study of the history of the cell next class. Ms. Nichols begins her review lesson about how animal and plant cells are similar and how they differ. I lose focus and start to daydream as Emily sits next to me drawing stars and planets on her hand.

•••••

I don't see Meghan the next day because I stay home sick with a cold. Wednesday comes and I'm feeling much better, so I go to work. Meghan and I have compared work schedules, and we both work only weekends and Wednesday nights.

I'm sitting at the receptionist desk in my apron drumming on the wood with two pencils when Meghan walks up. After seeing her in more casual attire, her required black dress and heels for work is quite the change. She still looks great, though, don't get me wrong.

"Hey," She smiles as she sets her bag and drink under the desk.

"Hi," I grin.

"Where've you been the last two days?" She asks with concern in her voice.

"Sick, but I'm much better now."

"I'm glad you're feeling better," She smiles softly.

"Getting caught up is gonna suck, isn't it?"

"Like a 4-inch deep open cut, but I'll help you get the work done, if you want."

"That'd be a huge help," I nod, "What would I do without you?"

She doesn't answer, but she has a huge grin on her face.

"So, do you think I can get away with doing homework right now?" Meghan laughs.

"As long as you answer the phones, then I guess so," I shrug, pointing at my AP World History textbook and pages of homework. She smirks and pulls out her schoolwork so she can work on it.

Twenty minutes pass by of us working quietly when I speak up, "Hey, Meghan?"

"Hmm?" She hums as she looks up expectantly.

"Are you from Tennessee?"

"Irwin, if you're going to chat me up, at least use good pickup lines," Meghan groans.

"Because you're the only ten I see," I laugh.

"No! Let me show you how it's done, okay?" She sets down her pencil.

I gesture for her to go ahead.

"I'm sorry about my poor sense of direction, I just got lost in your eyes."

I clap slowly at her pickup line, shocked that she's shown me up.

"Is this love at first sight, or should I walk by again?" I wink.

Meghan laughs and runs a hand through her hair.

"Are you a ghost-"

"Yeah, I died fifteen years ago, just like that line," She interrupts with a smirk.

"Oh, come on, let me finish that one!" I protest.

"Patience, Irwin," Meghan laughs. I can't help but smile because of her grin. I start to say another line, but the café phone rings and she reaches to answer it. Several minutes later, she hangs up and goes back to her homework.

"Meghan," I whisper loudly.

She doesn't answer me.

"Meghan, psst."

I see her smile a little, so I know she can hear me.

"Meghan, psst, hey Meghan, psst," I continue.

"Oh my god, what?" She looks up quickly and laughs.

"There's something in your eye- oh, wait, its just a sparkle," I smirk.

"Oh geez," She facepalms herself with a giant grin and laughs. I giggle at her reaction and smile happily the whole rest of my shift.