AFRAID {a.i.}

CHAPTER TWENTY- THREE

Song of the Chapter: Wherever You Will Go - Charlene Soraia.

Note: Ashton's point of view is once again in italics.

Today would be the day I finally left the house. Ever since Ashton and I broke up, I didn't leave my room, neither did he, so I heard. My grandma convinced me that getting a job at the cafe in town would be a great way of taking my mind off of things. So I applied. They called within days and said they would give me a chance. So today was my trial. I was nervous, but grateful. I had never had a proper job before now.

"Sweetie, let's go. You're going to be late." Grandma knocked on my door. I looked at my outfit. Denim shorts with a white tshirt, what else could I possibly wear to work at a cafe?

"Yep. I'm coming." I tightened my ponytail before slipping my phone into my back pocket. I rushed out and followed grandma down the flight of stairs and straight out the door.

I left grandma and walked into the cafe. I was greeted by laughter, smiles and music. It was nice in here. I walked to the counter and a young boy, around my age greeted me.

"You must be Ms. Montez." I nodded. He was kind and attractive but Ashton could outlook him any day. I shook my thoughts away and smiled.

"Please call me Brooke." I took the little apron thing he gave me and walked behind the counter.

"I'm Ben. It looks like I work every day you do. Let's just say it may be your lucky day." Ben joked. He was sweet. I chuckled.

"It certainly might. So, where do I start?" I was eager and excited. I could tell that he caught onto that by the way he laughed.

"Right so I'm serving today and you'll be going out taking orders, and being a waitress. I guess. Oh, and clearing tables." Ben was nervous, I could tell. He wasn't the boss but I was sure he was the son of the boss. I nodded and took the note pad, as well as the cloth.

"Well let's go then." I walked away from the counter to a table. I started by clearing up. This wasn't too bad. But my grandma was wrong. She said this would take my mind off of Ashton, but it didn't. All I could think about was him. All I wanted to do was tell him about what I'm doing right now.

The day went by quick. Before I knew it, I was left with 10 minutes to go. Ben had already left and an older woman had replaced him. He gave me his number though, I'm not sure he caught on that I wasn't prepared to be in any contact with a boy right now. But that's not really easy to latch onto. My last table was loud and as I approached them, they stopped talking. My heart stopped. Luke, Calum, and Michael. Where was Ashton? Their eyes all locked on mine.

"Um... What would you guys like?" I awkwardly asked and Michael laughed. Luke slapped him, whilst Calum looked at me with sad eyes.

"You work here?" Michael chuckled and I nodded. "Man I seen you as the bar lady type not the cafe type." I had no idea what that meant, and I assumed neither did the boys because Michael was the only one laughing.

"Brooke." Calum sighed. I looked at him and he paused.

"Look, I know what you want to say. I know you want to discuss him but I'm working and I wanted this job to be a place where I can think about other things, rather than the man himself." I explained and they all nodded.

"Wait so can you not even say his name anymore?" Luke dumbly questioned. I chuckled and Calum put his head in his hands.

"Why am I the only intelligent one?" He whispers.

"Actually, Ashton is quite intelligent." Michael backfired. That he was. I sighed and Calum looked back at me.

"So did you hear about your brothers meal for his birthday?" Calum asked and I shrugged. "He's having a few people come out for a fancy meal. So for once we can all sit and you know talk rather than party or get drunk."

"That's weird. He didn't even mention it." I raised my eyebrow.

"That's weird. It is this like Thursday or something." Michael piped up. I was confused. I shrugged and they all smiled.

"Sorry but your brother probably hasn't invited you." Luke joked and I couldn't help but laugh. Calum rolled his eyes and looked at me. Guess I'm going to a meal Thursday and all I could think about was if Ashton was invited?

--
My phone ringing, filled the garage. I sighed and answered it. I hoped it was Brooke. But it was Calum. My eyes adjusted to the light and I huffed.

"Man. I was sleeping." I practically shouted.

"Bro, I have some great news." Calum sounded happy. I wish I was happy. Who even am I anymore? I shook my head, removing the thoughts.

"I doubt it's great, unless you ran into Brooke and she's on her way here because she wants to get back together." I pulled the covers over my shoulders.

"Not quite. But I did run into her." I sat up at his comment. "Dude, she works at that cafe we go to write in." My heart sank. The only day I don't go she's there. Fucking. Typical.

"What did she say?" I questioned, eager to know if she spoke about me.

"It's not what she said, it's what I did. Dude I lied to protect your god damn ass." Calum sniggered and I sighed. Not another one of his plans.

"I'm not sure I want to hear this." I managed to laugh. Calum chuckled and continued.

"I told her that her brother is having a fancy meal on Thursday for his birthday." I was confused.

"Is he? How come I wasn't invited?" Probably because your dumb ass got dumped by his little sister. God, I missed her.

"Oh my lord. Now I know I'm the intelligent one. Anyway, no he isn't. I lied. She now believes that we are all going out for a fancy meal. I texted Brad to warn him. He's fine with it. But now here's the plan...."