airports // 5sos au

xiv.

{meghan}

Today was a slow day. School was boring and Noelle has been texting me all day about wedding plans. Why couldn't they have eloped so all the rest of us wouldn't have to deal with this? I'm sure the FBI could classify this as a cruel and unusual punishment.

So imagine my surprise when I found myself driving to the airport after school. Don't try too hard, because there's literally no amount of surprise at all.

According to this week's schedule, I'm not working tonight but I know that Ashton is. I'm excited to see him, honestly. During the past two weeks, he's become someone I can talk to about practically anything.

I dodge travelers as I make my way to the candy shop that Ashton works in. Eventually, after having two suitcases hit my shin, I walk into the old-fashioned store.

"Well, hey there," I say sitting down as Ashton steps through the back door.

His eyes light up as he grins, "Hey, Meghan."

I begin to clap and he raises his eyebrow, "What's that for?"

"You didn't drop anything this time, I figured someone should congratulate you," I laugh.

He blushes and steps behind the counter to napkins into the boxes next to the display case.

"Very funny," He says sarcastically.

I smile and set my bag down on the small table in front of me.

"So, what are you doing here?" Ashton asks.

"I didn't want to go home," I shrug.

"You seem to be avoiding your home an awful lot lately," Ashton sets down the box of napkins and looks at me.

"It's just stressful back there, but it'll be over in a little bit," I assure him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He offers.

"Not right now, but someday I'll tell you all about it," I give him a small smile.

He still looks uneasy but nods in acceptance, "Alright."

There's no point in dragging him in the middle of this wedding mess if he's just going to leave in a couple weeks. I see how social he is to all the people at school that want to be close with him. I feel like I need to wait to make sure he really wants to be my friend.

"So," I change the subject, "What are you planning on doing this fine Friday night?"

"Well, unlike the drugged, alcoholic partying teenage peers I'm forced to be around during the day, I think Tom wanted me to go get some more ingredients. He usually goes once a week, but he's home with his sick daughter, so I'm assuming he trusts me enough to do this."

"Did he tell you specifically to go to the store?" I ask confusedly.

"Yes, he did, don't worry," Ashton chuckles and holds up a list of ingredients from Tom, "So I'm going to close up and go to the bulk store on the other side of town."

"Okay," I nod.

Ashton folds the empty cardboard box in his hands and places it in a bin behind the counter. He then takes off his maroon apron and hangs it on a hook behind him. Taking the list Tom wrote, Ashton slips his phone into his pocket and steps in front of the counter.

"You coming?" He asks as he stands in front of the shop door.

"Nah, I'd rather sit here and make sure the napkins don't go anywhere," I shrug.

"Summers, get your ass over here so I can take you to the grocery store," he tries to be tough but ruins his façade by giggling.

"Alright," I laugh and follow Ashton out of the shop.

He locks the door behind him and we walk out of the airport.

"Want to take my car?" I offer, "Taking the bus back with that many ingredients is going to be fairly hard."

"Sure, that'll be a big help," He nods.

We walk through the large parking lot and eventually find my car. Ashton offers to drive, and I nod as I sit in the passenger seat. As he turns the ignition, Halsey begins to play through the stereo. My cheeks heat up because I forgot that my phone's bluetooth connects automatically in my car. My mental facepalm is short lived, interrupted by Ashton's voice quietly singing along.

I turn to face him with wide eyes. He notices my stare and laughs, "Considering this is on your phone, I know you know the words. Don't leave me hanging, Meghan."

I chuckle and begin to sing along with Ashton. After singing along quite loudly to about six more songs, Ashton parks the car in the grocery store's parking lot.

Smiling, we walk together into the store. A cool breeze hits us as we step inside and we look around. The building resembles a Costco, considering all of their products are in bulk. Everything is so huge and Ashton and I stand there in awe.

"This just might be the coolest place I've ever been in," Ashton speaks up.

"Wow," I trail behind him as he walks towards the large carts.

"You ready?" he turns to me with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Let's do this," I beam up at him.