6

~Luke~

---

It's been a few weeks already since that night that Ashton kissed me and made me promise to forget about Andrew. It was a really nice gesture from him, and I really appreciate it. Who would've thought he'd do that?

Ashton is really a hard to read kind of person. You'd never know what he'd do or what he'd say. He keeps surprising me with these little unexpected things that he does which also leaves me confused. I still couldn't quite understand why is he doing all of these nice things to me when he was the who was so against us being friends or being close before.

The worst thing is that, with every little thing he does for me, I feel a lot of things for him.

I can't control it. Ashton is just...I don't know...there's just something in him that pulls me in. The way he talks; the way he does things; the way he judges everything: he's like a mystery that I want to unravel, only I just can't. I can't let myself fall into this trap.

I am aware that I am growing feelings for Ashton. I am trying my best to at least hide them and push them away. But only, it's just so difficult with him always being around. He's always driving me everywhere. Always doing things for me even if I don't ask him to or didn't want him to. Everywhere I look he's there that sometimes I think I might be hallucinating.

I understand that me having feelings for him is not healthy for me so I decided to subtly avoid him at any chance I get. But there are always these instances that I don't have the chance to avoid.

I'm at the café that I'm working at. As usual, I am doing some of my assignments in advance to kill time as I waited for my shift to start.

I was tapping my foot along to the beat of a Fall Out Boy song and singing along softly once in a while, as I scribbled some answers in my notebook. I then noticed someone sit on the chair opposite mine at my table. I looked up and saw Ashton sipping his coffee, casually. I just watched all his actions and him in general as I try my best to hide my adoration for him.

His hair is up in a bun again and he's wearing a black muscle tee and black skinny jeans, paired with his black boots. He wears his usual blank expression and cold gaze.

I eventually looked away from him to prevent myself to get consumed by him. He didn't say anything and just sat there, drinking his coffee while doing whatever it is on his phone.

I tried to get my focus back on my assignment and pretend he isn't there. Suddenly, another person approached our table. I looked up and a grinning Michael – who now has bright red hair – is looking down at me, holding his smoothie.

I smiled at him as I pulled one earphone out, "You wanna take a seat?"

"Sure," he said as he pulled a chair from the other table to ours. As he was settled, he took a sip of his smoothie then placed it on the table and said, "So, I didn't know you two hang out."

"We don't." I said, at the same time Ashton said, "So?"

Michael just gave him a quick glance then turned to me with a smile, "What's that you're doing?"

"Oh, I'm just finishing up some assignments in advance."

"Oh...sucks. I hate doing shit. Well anyway, why do it here?"

"I'm kinda waiting for my shift. I work here."

"Oh...is that so?"

"Yeah," I gave him a small smile then went back into writing.

Michael took another sip of his smoothie then leaned back on his chair and turned to Ashton and said, "How about you? Why are you here?"

"Why are you here?" Ashton asked back in a more harsh tone.

Michael rolled his eyes, "Dick."

Ashton just gave him a cold stare. Michael didn't seem to mind though as he just casually said, "Andrew's back."

I stopped my writing and glanced at Michael, then to Ashton who was already looking at me.

Ashton then looked at Michael and said, "Where has that asshole gone? Haven't seen him for weeks; since that frat party at Niall's I last attended to."

"Well, Niall said he had to go to Melbourne for some family stuff. His dad had him excused from all of his classes."

Ashton scoffed, "His dad always does everything for him."

"That's because he doesn't know his son is Lucifer himself," Michael stated.

I glanced at Ashton who is staring at his coffee with a dark expression.

"You ok?" Michael asked Ashton, also noticing the look on his face.

"Yeah, I just remembered that bastard owes me shit."

"What kind of shit?" Michael asked.

"None of your business."

Michael rolled his eyes then took another sip of his smoothie, as he checked the time on his phone.

"Shit," he muttered, making me and Ashton look at him. "I gotta go. I still have a fucking class to attend." He then turned to me and smiled, "See you later, Luke."

I smiled back at him as I nodded.

As he was gone, I looked at Ashton and contemplated for a moment about asking him something that I want to ask. I took up some courage and decided to ask him.

"Uh...Ashton?" I carefully said. He turned to look at me and raised an eyebrow. I cleared my throat and continued, "What did uh...what did Andrew owe you? If you don't mind me asking?"

"Nothing really that concerns you, Luke," he said but in a less harsh tone than the way he answered Michael and it was a huge relief to me. I was kind o expecting him to snap at me.

"Okay," I softly said, looking down at my notes, though a part of me is not quite convinced about it, but I know better than to push it.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head," Ashton said, making me look back up at him. He then gave me a small smile.

I returned the gesture but tried avoiding looking at his hazel-green orbs. They are always so hypnotizing to me. They may always hold this cold, emotionless, blank gaze but they are beautiful and mysterious. They seem to hold a million stories and secrets behind them, making them one of my favorite things about him.

"Aren't you gonna go inside?" he then asked me.

"Uh, is it time already?" I asked back in response.

"Almost," he shrugged.

"Oh," I said, checking the time on my phone. I got around 10 minutes left. "I should go then," I continued as I started to pack my stuff.

"Okay. I'll be back later to pick you up when your shifts ends," he told me, making me stop to look at him.

I sighed then said, "Ashton, you really didn't have to."

"So?"

"You've been doing it for weeks now: driving me everywhere that I need to go; picking me up from work."

"What's your point, Luke?" Ashton asked, staring at me with those hazel-green orbs that seem to be greener today under the sunlight.

I avoided his eyes, not wanting to get lost into them and said, "I don't want to be somewhat like a burden, Ashton. You could be doing something better and worth your time than driving me and picking me up. I don't even understand why you're doing this when we're not even friends."

"Is that all you're worried about?" he asked as if what I said was just pointless.

"Yes," I muttered.

"Well, if that's the case, then you should know I got nothing else better to do. Is that valid enough for you?"

"I don't believe you got nothing else better to do." I returned, this time looking up at him.

"I don't," he simply said with a shrug as he leaned back on his chair.

"How about school Doing your assignments and stuff? Wait, do you even go to school?"

"I do."

"I never once did see you go to school."

"Just because you didn't see me, doesn't mean that I don't."

I resisted an eye roll then said, "Well, that is not really my concern right now. What I'm concerned about is you wasting your time on me."

"I'm not wasting my time. If I am, I wouldn't have done what I am doing. I'm not really a fan of wasting time." Ashton said, voice a bit stern.

I decided not to say anything and just looked down on my hands on the table.

"You should go in," he then said, now in a soft tone, making me look up at him.

I quietly nodded and stood up.

"I'm gonna pick you up," he said as I was on the door of the café.

---

Time went by and I only got an hour left of work. Throughout my shift, my mind was somewhere else. Or rather I'd say on someone else: someone named Ashton.

I need to avoid him to somehow save myself and stop my ever-growing feelings for him. The more I will be around him, the more these feelings would grow. I need to think of some ways to do so I'd be able to stay a bit away from him, not completely though since I would still want to maybe one day officially become his friend. Especially when I am friends with his brother and his future brother-in-law, and also being kind of friends with his best friend.

"Are you okay, buddy?" Mitchy asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turned to look at him and smiled as I watch him wipe the counter. "Yeah, I'm just a little tired, is all."

"Are you sure? I kinda noticed you are a bit of today. You sick or something?"

I sighed and looked around the café. There weren't a lot of people already. It was getting late and the café is soon to close for the day.

"I'm fine, just really tired though. Haven't had much sleep lately with all the uni stuff." I told Mitchy, half lying.

I am really tired and haven't had much sleep lately but it wasn't because of uni but because of Ashton. I just can't get him off of my mind.

Mitchy walked over to me and said, "You know, why don't you just go home and take a rest?"

"What?" I looked at him with confused expression.

Mitchy sighed, "Go home and rest, Luke."

"But my shift's not over yet."

"So? The café closes in an hour anyway."

"I can't leave you alone to serve the customers. It's fine, Mitchy, I can rest later."

Mitchy playfully rolled his eyes then said, "I'm not alone: Brian's here. And as I've said, the café closes in an hour and there's barely any customer to be coming in at this hour."

"But---," I tried to reason but Mitchy cut me off and gave me a pointed look and said, "Luke, go home. Please."

I stared at him for a moment and then sighed and gave in. Mitchy smiled then gestured me to go to the backroom and change. I nodded and smiled at him. He is like a big brother to me. He's always nice and caring and really fun to be around. I really am lucky to have met and worked with him. He never gave me a hard time and was always ready to help.

I headed over to my locker and changed back to my clothes and put my uniform back in. Before I went back out, I checked my phone for any text or call. I got a few texts. One from Calum, telling me that he's back in the apartment, then one from my brother, Jack, just checking up on me, then one from Ashton. I sent some quick replies to Calum and Jack before I went to open Ashton's message. It said:

Ashton: I'll pick you up after work, ok? No buts.

I huffed looking and rereading the text. I can't be trapped in this agony. I should save myself before it's all too late. So, without replying to him, I locked my phone and inserted it back into my pocket. I headed out, waving goodbye to Mitchy as I walked out of the café.

I headed straight to the bus station and only waited at the bus station and only waited a couple of minutes before the bus arrived.

I got on the bus and seated at the back, then put my headphones on and enjoyed some music during the ride home.

It was a 20-minute ride with the bus which would be shorter with Ashton's car but I didn't mind. At least I'm not around Ashton.

As soon as I got into the apartment building, I headed straight into the elevator and during the ride up to my floor, I was praying hard that I won't run into Ashton.

I was lucky enough though to have my prayers answered and I let out a sigh of relief as I stepped inside my apartment and closed the door.

"Are you ok?" I heard Calum say and I turned to him, seeing him giving me a confused and questioning look.

I chuckled, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just glad that I'm finally home and would be able to sleep. I'm so fucking tired."

Calum chuckled, "Well, go and get some rest and if you're hungry, there's pizza in the fridge."

"Okay, thanks, Cal." I smiled at him then headed down the hall towards my room.

As soon as I'm inside my room, I dropped my bag on the floor and slumped down on my bed. I didn't have much time to relax when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text message from Ashton.

Ashton: I'm on my way to the café. Wait for me.

Me: It's ok, Ashton. Don't bother. I'm already in the apartment, anyway.

Ashton: What? Why?

Me: I wasn't feeling very well so I went home early and didn't finish my shift.

After I hit 'send', I placed my phone on the nightstand, wasn't expecting any reply anymore. I closed my eyes to try to relax but I didn't even have a moment before my phone started buzzing again but this time it wasn't a text but a call. I opened my eyes immediately and reached for it and looked at the caller ID, flashing Ashton's name on the screen.

I stared at it, contemplating whether to answer it or not. I did choose to answer it anyway.

"Hello?" I softly said as I answered the call.

"Are you ok?" Ashton quickly asked.

"You're the third person who asked me that today, you know, but yeah, I'm fine," I told him.

"How did you get home?" he asked.

"I took the bus," I responded.

"Why didn't you call me or text me so I could've picked you up and took you home?"

"Ashton, we've talked about this. You didn't have to do that."

"You weren't feeling well, Luke. What if something had happened to you?"

I was a bit surprised by what he said. My body felt a bit of tingling inside as I listened to the tone of his voice which was filled with worry and care. But I hated it. I hated how my body and mind react when he says things like which probably just didn't mean anything to him. But to me, it means a whole lot more.

I tried to push it away and cleared my throat and said, "But nothing happened, Ashton. I'm fine. I got home safely."

I can hear him let out a breath then he said, "Are you in your room now?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing?"

"Lying on my bed."

"Have you eaten already?"

"Yes, Ashton."

"Do you need anything?"

"Ashton, I'm fine, ok? I'm just really tired and I just need to rest. That's all." I said, maybe a bit too harsh than I intended to, out of frustration. Not to Ashton, no, but to myself by being so affected with anything that Ashton does or say.

I heard him sigh from his end of the line then he said, "Ok. Just...call me if you need anything, ok?"

"Ok..." I responded quietly.

"Goodnight, Luke."

"Goodnight."

I was the one who hung up. I then tossed my phone carelessly at the bottom part of my bed. I ran hand on my face in frustration and let out a sigh.

"Stop doing this to me, Ashton." I murmured to myself. I then closed my eyes letting out a breath as I repeated, "Stop doing this to me."

---

I woke up earlier than I wanted to the next morning. I didn't even think that I actually was able to sleep at all. My mind is messed up and I just can't seem to stop thinking about a particular hazel-green eyed boy with long, curly, honey-blonde hair, and adorable dimples that looks so cute when he smiles.

I am so fucked up. So fucked up by Ashton Irwin.

I was making some breakfast in the kitchen, trying to figure out what to do to be able to stop this ever growing feelings that I got for Ashton. Also, to figure out what I should do to avoid him without him noticing and getting onto his bad side and ruining everything.

My thoughts were interrupted by Calum when he entered the kitchen with some envelopes in his hands. He just got back from his morning run. He dropped the envelopes on the counter and went to get himself a bottle of water from the fridge.

"You got mail," he told me, pointing to the small pile of envelopes on the counter after he took a gulp of his water.

I looked at him with a raised eyebrow as I said, "Me? A letter?"

"I don't really think it's a letter. It's more like a card or something."

I gave Calum a confused expression, "Really? From who?"

"From a Harry Styles. Do you know him?"

After hearing the name, I quickly looked at the envelopes on the counter and went to it, looking for the said mail.

I quickly found it as it is the only large and pink one among all the envelopes. I looked at it and Harry's name was plastered on the upper left corner of the envelope with his address and my name at the center.

Calum stood next to me with a confused and questioning expression. "Do you know him?" He asked.

"Yeah," I said as I opened the envelope and pulled out what seems like an invitation card.

"Is that an invitation?" Calum asked as he looked at the card in my hand.

"Yeah, I think so..." I softly said as I ran my hand on the etched names of Harry and Louis. The invitation looked so beautiful. The card is pink and scented with some flower designs on it and every name of the members of the entourage written in cursive form.

I couldn't help the smile to make its way onto my face. I really didn't think Harry and Louis would send me this and officially invite me to their wedding. They just met me. Once. I just feel so honored.

"Who are they?" I suddenly heard Calum say.

"Huh?"

"Who is this Harry and this...Lewis?"

"It's Louiee," I corrected him. He nodded and I continued, "I met them a few weeks ago and they are both really nice and we immediately became friends. I learned that they are getting married and they just invited me. I really didn't think they were serious because we just met but now...guess they really are."

"That's nice."

I smiled at Calum.

Then I quickly offered him breakfast and changed topic not wanting him to ask another question probably like where I met Harry and Louis, because I don't want to lie for I know if I tell him the truth about Harry being Ashton's brother, I know a lot of questions would follow. I don't even know the answers to some. So might as well avoid that.

After we had breakfast, Calum then went to take a shower and I waited for him in our living room since we're both going to school today having the same morning classes.

While I was waiting, I watched some cartoons on the telly and was actually enjoying it but then I got distracted when my phone started ringing in my pocket.

I pulled it out and answered the call without looking at the caller ID. "Hello?" I said to the receiver.

"Luke..." the ever so familiar sound of Ashton's voice sounded from the other line. Though I may or may not like it, it makes some fluttering in my stomach. I tried to push away the feeling though.

"Ashton. Why'd you uh...why'd you call?" I asked him, voice a bit low not wanting Calum to overhear.

"I'm just checking if how you are. Are you feeling better?" He asked, keeping his usual monotone voice.

"Yeah, I am. Thanks for checking, I guess."

"Where are you?"

"Apartment."

"Aren't you going to class?"

"I am. I'm just waiting for Calum to finish getting ready so we can head out."

"He giving you a ride to uni?"

"Yeah. It's Friday, remember?" I told him, making him remember that Calum and I go to uni together every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

"Right. Well, see you later then."

"Okay, bye."

The line went dead after and I dropped my phone on the couch letting out a sigh.

"Are you ok?" Calum then sounded from behind me.

I turned to look at him and saw him already dressed. I gave him a small smile as I nodded.

"Okay," he grinned. "Well, let's go?"

I stood up from the couch and then picked up my phone and inserted it back into my pocket. I then grabbed my bag from the armchair next to the couch and followed Calum out of our apartment.

On our way to the elevator, we were stopped by Michael telling us to wait up for him. Both Calum and I stopped and turn to him as he sprinted down the hall to us with a smile on his face.

"Hello, guys!" Michael said as he approached us.

"Hey, Mike!" Calum greeted with a grin as I only gave Michael a smile and a nod.

"Going to uni?" Michael asked.

Calum and I nodded.

"Me too," he said as we continued our way to the elevator.

We all got in and it was Michael who pressed the ground floor button as he said, "I hate Fridays."

"Why's that?" Calum asked.

"Early classes and I got to deal with Ashton's grumpiness. You know how I hate early mornings - well mornings in general - and he'll be bitching about how I am such a lazy ass," he chuckled at the end.

"Why's he always like that anyway?" Calum asked.

Michael turned to him, "What? A grumpy asshole?"

"You could say that."

Michael laughed, making Calum chuckle. But me, I was so keen on listening as to what Michael would say.

"Well," he started, "it's not really my place to tell you about it. He'd kill me for sure," he chuckled again as if it's just nothing but I can see in his eyes that it was not. I can see the worry mixed with sadness and longing behind those green pools of him. "But..." he continued, his voice getting quiet, "I can say that shit happened and sometimes, it changes people."

Calum and I were not able to say anything because the elevator dinged signalling us that we have reached the ground floor.

Michael gave us another smile and walked out with us following him. Calum walked beside Michael and they were talking about some things that I have no idea about.

I wasn't really paying attention to them. My mind was on what Michael said and the look on his eyes when he said it. He might have hidden it well by talking casually but I saw it in his eyes.

It made me curious as to what happened to Ashton. It made me think back to what Harry had told me before about Ashton being a reserved person and taking some time to warm up to someone.

I want to know what happened to him but I know I have no right to unless it would be Ashton who would tell me himself. But everything about him intrigues me and what Michael has said made me even more curious. I just wanna know who Ashton really is.

But I can't ignore the fact as well that if I would want to know him I would have to get close to him. If I do that I wouldn't be able to put a stop to these feelings I have for him. My plan of avoiding him won't ever happen.

Now I am so confused about everything. It seems that it keeps getting more and more complicated. I don't know what to do anymore.

I was pulled out from my thoughts with Michael waving his hand in front of me, saying, "Earth to Luke!"

"Huh?" I said, looking up and glancing around, realizing that we're already outside the building and in the parking lot.

Calum and Michael were looking at me with furrowed eyebrows in a confused manner. Calum's mixed with worry though and I know why. But it was Ashton's frown and his intense gaze that caught my attention.

"Dude, are you okay?" Michael asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just had a lot shit in my mind." I smiled at Michael then looked at Ashton again who was still staring at me as he was leaning against the hood of his car, arms crossed on his chest.

"Are you sure?" Calum asked trying to hide the worry in his voice but I still heard it.

"Yes," I told him not looking away from Ashton, "and we should go. We don't wanna be late, do we?"

"Yeah..." Calum hesitantly said as he gestured for me to go get into his car.

"Come on, Ash," Michael said to Ashton as he walked to the passenger side of Ashton's car. It took a moment for Ashton to move and look away from me.

"See you later, guys," Michael called as he slipped inside the passenger seat, Ashton following him in the driver's seat.

I waved goodbye to Michael and then followed Calum to his car, slipping inside the passenger seat. I didn't dare look back to Ashton and just quickly put my seatbelt on and tried to relax in my seat as I heard his car pull out of the parking space.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Calum asked, his voice laced with worry.

I looked at him and gave him a small smile, "I'm fine, Cal."

"If you have a problem, you know you can talk to me, right?"

"I know."

"Okay. I just..." he breathed out, then continued, "It has been a while since I saw you like that...and you only get like that when you have a huge problem hanging on your shoulder. I just can't help but worry."

"Don't worry, Calum. I'm fine. It's nothing like before."

"Okay..." he quietly said then turned away from me and started the car and pulled out of the parking space.

"Hey, can I ask you a favor?" I then ask him as we were on the road.

"Sure, anything," Calum replied.

"Can you come and pick me up after work? I kinda don't like taking the bus later."

"Sure, buddy. That's no problem." Calum told me, glancing at me with a small.

"Thanks."

---

My classes are over for the day and I was on my way to the cafe. I got my headphones on as I walked and nodding my head along to the music. The cafe is not that far just a five-minute-walk.

As soon as I got there, I immediately took a seat at my usual table outside the cafe. I pulled out my notebook and books from my bag and before I was able to put it on the table, I almost fell off my seat in surprise seeing Ashton already sitting in front of me.

"Jesus, Ashton!" I said, glaring at him. He didn't say anything back and just sat there staring intently at me, making a shiver run down my spine.

I carefully placed my things on the table and pulled out my earphones.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked him quietly.

"What happened to you this morning?" He asked, still staring at me with a strong gaze.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about some things. Don't make such a big deal about it. I always tend to do that," I told to try to get him off my back about it. Then I continued in a soft voice, "Getting lost in my thoughts, that is."

He didn't say anything for a moment and just continued to stare at me intently, making me so conscious about everything. He then leaned back in his chair letting out a sigh then said, "How are you feeling?"

"Good," I responded.

He nodded.

"I received an invitation from Harry this morning...for his and Louis' wedding."

"Did you?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table.

"Yeah...will it be ok with you if I go?" I carefully asked him.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"I don't want to somehow be intruding. I won't go if you don't want me to."

"You make your own decisions, Luke, not me. It doesn't matter what I want. My brother invited you. They wanted you there. If you want to be there then you should be there."

"Are you gonna be there?" I quietly asked him

"Depends," he responded with a shrug.

"Depends on what?"

He just gave me another shrug.

"It's your brother's wedding."

"So?"

"You should be there. You have to be there."

"You don't tell me what to do." He simply said as he leaned back on his chair.

I resisted an eye roll and just look down on my stuff on the table and decided to start doing my assignments.

"Don't you get bored doing that?" Ashton then asked.

"Don't you get bored sitting there and doing nothing?" I shot back.

Ashton chuckled, "Sassy."

I decided to ignore him and continue what I'm doing.

Suddenly, I heard a phone ringing and I look up and saw it was Ashton's. But he didn't make a move about answering it.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Aren't you gonna answer that?"

"No." He simply said.

"What if it's important?"

"It's just Harry basically trying to piss me off."

"You don't know that. And it's your brother calling the more reason for you to answer it." I told him.

He looked at me for a second then huffed and answered the call but not breaking his gaze from me.

"What do you want, Harry?" He said to the receiver as he answered the call.

He listened to what Harry had to say then rolled his eyes and said, "Then why did you call if you didn't think I would answer?"

Silence again then he said, "Campus and no, I'm with Luke."

I raised an eyebrow but Ashton just looked at me. Then a second later he handed the phone to me, saying, "He wants to talk to you."

I looked at him for a moment then to the phone in his hand and slowly took it from him and put it against my ear, "Hello?" I said to the receiver.

"Luke, hi! It's Harry." Harry said on the other line making me chuckle.

"Hey, Harry! How are you?"

"Good, thank you. How about you?"

"Good as well. I got your invitation." I told him.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. Thanks for sending me one."

"Of course! Like what Louis and I said, you are invited to our wedding and you fucking be there."

I laughed at his words and said, "Of course, I'll be there. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good. Anyway...can I ask you a little favor?" He asked.

"Of course, what is it?"

"Uh...don't tell my brother about this but erm, can you maybe, erm, make sure to make he comes to the wedding? It would really mean a lot to us if he'll be there. I know it's too much to ask but it seems like that he kind of listens to you? Please, Luke?"

Hearing what Harry has said made me look at Ashton, who was already staring at me. I gave him a small smile which he returned with a nod. I had no idea why I was the one that Harry asked this favor to and why he says that Ashton listens to me.

A lot of other questions have been raised in my mind as well and I need answers for them. But at the same time, it makes everything even more complicated regarding the fact that I am trying to avoid Ashton. I really don't know what to do anymore! Godammit, my life has never been more like a hell.

I didn't want to disappoint Harry. He was really nice to me and doing this for him is the least I could do. So I turned my gaze away from Ashton and looked down on the table and said to Harry, "I'll see what I can do, Harry."

"Thank you so much, Luke."

"I'll do my best. Thanks again, Harry."

"No worries. Bye, Luke."

"Bye."

I didn't hang up the call and just returned the phone back to Ashton. He took it and looked at the screen seeing that Harry hasn't hung up yet either. He rolled his eyes and put the phone against his ear and said, "Hang up now. Goodbye, Styles!"

He then pressed the end button after that and placed his phone on the table and looked at me with a questioning look.

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"What did Harry tell you?" He asked.

"He told me to make sure that I am present at his wedding."

"Is that all of it?"

I let out a breath. "Ash..." I said then immediately realized it and said, "I'm sorry, I meant 'Ashton'."

I didn't know if I am allowed to call him with a nickname and I don't wanna be crossing any lines.

"It's okay, Luke. You can call me that." He paused for a second then he leaned over, elbows resting on the table, then said, "You know, you don't have to worry about what you can and can't do around me. You are your own person, Luke, and you don't need my permission or any other's to do or say what you want."

I stared at him for a moment not being able to know how to respond to what he said. Every time he says things like this, it always keeps me in awe. Maybe it's because of how he says things or how his words make me feel and I am not talking about my feelings for him. It seems like every time he tells me things like this or when he comments about anything involving me or anything about me or what I do, it's like I gain courage and confidence out of it. He seems to always encourage me and support me.

I then pushed myself to look away from him and look down on my things on the table and said, "I just don't want to cross any lines."

"Calling me 'Ash' is not crossing a line, Luke."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"And you don't have to apologize." He said with a small smile.

I returned the gesture and nodded, "Well, Ash, it was all that Harry said."

He nodded, "You want some smoothie or something?"

I raised a questioning eyebrow at him, not really sure if I heard him right.

Ashton shrugged and said, "Or maybe a coffee? Looks like you need one."

"Are you buying?"

"Won't be asking you if I won't."

"Okay, then."

"What do you want?"

"Why don't you surprise me then?"

This time, Ashton was the one who raised an eyebrow then chuckled and said, "It's kinda unfair on my part if I have to surprise you since you work in this café. You already know every drink."

"I do know every drink but I haven't tried them all. So you still have a huge chance to surprise me." I told him.

He then shrugged then stood up as he said, "Well, I'll take the challenge."

I chuckled as I watch him get inside the café. Then I said to myself, "It's really not a new thing, Ashton. You keep surprising me every single time with every single thing that you do. I bet you'd be able to really surprise me with a smoothie or a coffee."

I then turned my attention to my stuff on the table and decided to just do my assignments as I waited for Ashton and worry about everything later and maybe just this once enjoy this time here outside the café with Ashton Irwin.

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