"Is everything alright with you ladies?" Ashton asked, his eyebrows scrunched up in concern as the girls strolled into the room.
Kassi smiled in return and nodded, walking back to Luke who already had his hand held out for her to take. Peering over her shoulder, she sent Alyssa one last look of encouragement before going ahead with him. Alyssa watched as they both disappeared down another hall.
"We're all going to the dining room to eat," Ashton informed her as she stayed behind, allowing everyone else to head in that direction.
Alyssa glanced over at Calum inconspicuously as he too headed for the dining room, and when she noticed that the two girls were no where to be found, she sighed in relief.
"Who were those girls?" She found herself asking Ashton once they were both left in the living room.
He frowned. "They're close friends with the crew, Alyssa. Way before we even met you and Kassi."
"He didn't even bother to say hello to me," Alyssa scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "Why am I even here again?"
Ashton glanced back at her with a sad expression on his face as they both started walking towards the dining room.
"Hey, don't think like that," he told her. "I want you here. The rest of the boys want you here. He may not show it, but under his idiocy, Calum definitely wants you here as well."
"He doesn't even know I'm here," she remarked sadly.
Alyssa could feel the rims of her eyes begin to water, but she tried her best to hold them in. She hated getting upset, feeling helpless. She just wanted Kassi to be there for her, but at the same time, she didn't want to ruin her night with Luke.
"What do you mean?" Ashton inquired.
"I had to hear from Kassi that we were invited to this dinner tonight. Calum didn't tell me anything," she explained to him, her breathing unsteady.
Alyssa pinched the bridge of her nose as she let out a frustrated sigh, Ashton placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Please don't be upset," Ashton soothed, rubbing her arm. "The boys hate seeing you upset. I'm sorry you have to go through this with Calum. I have no idea what's gotten into him. He's been so hung up on you, the happiest I've ever seen him to be honest. Then one night, he completely changes. Maybe he'll come around."
Even Ashton knew his words were nothing short of unconvincing. But he really wanted to help Alyssa and if he just let her second guess her chances of fixing things with Calum, nothing would ever get better.
"You know what?" He suddenly exclaimed. "Screw him! You are going to have fun tonight and if it isn't with that dick, then Michael and I will make sure the thought of him is far from your mind. It's his loss really."
Alyssa stood a bit taller and sighed, smiling genuinely for the first time that night. Ashton was right. If Calum was going to treat her like she didn't exist, then two could play that game.
"Thank you, Ash," she said confidently. "That really means a lot, I appreciate it. But now that I think about it, I'm starving, so let's eat?"
Ashton grinned. "Of fucking course, let's go!"
He grabbed Alyssa's hand, running into the dining room with her laughing behind him, which caused everyone to look in their direction. Calum, who was in the midst of grabbing himself a plate, turned his head at the commotion and felt his breath hitch in his throat.
"Alyssa?" He asked to no one in particular. "What is she doing here?"
"We invited her and Kassi," Luke answered him out of nowhere as he went to grab a cup from under Calum's arm. "Remember?"
Disoriented at this news, Calum returned his gaze back over to her and Ashton, who was now joined by Michael. Luke stared at him before he shook his head, returning to his spot next to Kassi.
Kassi remained livid towards Calum and proceeded to shoot daggers under his naivety. She was so far beyond comprehension of how Alyssa was able to be in the same room and not want to beat him to a pulp, but for the sake of her word, Kassi managed to behave herself.
"Kassi, you look like you're about to rip Cal's head off his neck," Luke observed jokingly, but little did he know that that idea didn't seem so far fetched in Kassi's mind.
"I'm close to it," she replied with pursed lips. "How dare he? After all he's put her through, this is how he's gonna be? I hate him."
Luke sighed. "Don't say that. I know you're just looking after Alyssa, but have a little faith. Give him a break."
"I'd like to break his skull," Kassi retorted, jabbing at the chicken leg on her plate with a fork.
"Kas," Luke pried, shooting her a warning look.
"Does he even know that she's here?" Kassi asked, ignoring Luke's pleas. "He hasn't spoken a word to her all night and last time I checked, he was getting super cozy with those two platinum blondies. Who, by the way, have disappeared out of nowhere, thank God, but I think it's a shame considering I would have liked to knock those two birds with one of my stone fists."
Luke chuckled at this before grabbing one of her hands and rubbing it comfortingly, instantly relaxing her. Calum swallowed nervously and resumed his task of getting food; taking note of Alyssa's laughter sounding from across the room.
Alyssa snorted at the sight of Michael's plate once she had recollected herself.
"Michael, leave some for the rest of us," she commented, laughing as he started shoving forkfuls into his mouth. "And at least wait until you sit down."
Michael stuck his tongue out at her, making sure to put the food in his mouth on show as Alyssa crinkled her nose in disgust. Once Ashton handed her a plate, both of them headed for the food table, her eyes falling upon Kassi, who was already sitting down, eating with Luke.
Kassi gave her a look that she responded to with an indifferent smile and proceeded to fill her plate. Ashton made an attempt of going off about nothing in hopes of distracting her from a certain boy just a few feet away.
