Salvation [Luke Hemmings A.U.]

IX - Who's the New Guy?

Luke:

-

"This appears acceptable." I murmur to myself as I eye my own reflection in the tall mirror, satisfied with the outfit I have picked out for today; a plain black button-up shirt with fitted, dark jeans and the same pair of black canvas shoes I have been wearing for the past few days.

Tuesday came about much faster than I anticipated, and I cannot help but feel incredibly eager to be meeting up with Ashton Irwin again. However, he mentioned that he would introduce me to his friends, so I am not certain what to expect of them.

I pull out my iPhone to check the time, not wanting to keep Ashton waiting. I note that it is just about time to be heading out, so I grab a plain, gray cardigan on my way to the door. The same doorman from the other day assists me in hailing a cab, kindly opening the door for me to step into the yellow Prius.

This time, I feel rather confident in directing the cabby where to go; pleased with the fact that I have an actual destination this time. The driver is incredibly efficient in taking me to the coffee shop, so I tip him generously before exiting the vehicle, thanking him as I close the car door behind myself.

"Hi Luke!" Ashton's chirpy voice calls out from somewhere in the coffee shop as I step through the doorway, causing the bell to ring and the pleasantly familiar scent of espresso to hit my nostrils.

"Where are you?" I ask to the voice before I smile and wave politely to a bored, unidentified barista who stands behind the counter, looking like she would much rather be anywhere but here.

Ashton walks out from two swinging doors behind the counter, tossing his apron onto a hook on the wall. "I was clocking out." He grins at me before stepping out from the kitchen area to properly greet me.

Before I can get a word in, he turns to the unnamed pale, dark-haired barista who meets his eyes, her expression remaining flat and almost annoyed. "Willow, I'm going to trust that you will hold down the fort." He slams his left hand down on the counter dramatically, a small smile making its way onto his features. He seems unfazed by her sullen stare as she blinks slowly, not responding to him before pulling out her phone, ignoring his comment altogether.

He disregards her indifference before turning to me, a smile still plastered on his face as he pulls a leather jacket on over his forest green t-shirt, nodding towards the exit to indicate that we can leave. He snatches a green smoothie off of the counter in his haste to leave, taking a sip of the odd looking beverage. 

The door bell jingles as we walk out onto the bustling sidewalk, affronted by the cool outdoor air that causes the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up.

"Willow is such a charmer." Ashton laughs, shaking his head as he leads me down the sidewalk to wherever he plans on having me meet his friends.

I weave through the crowd, keeping up with Ashton's long strides as confusion dawns on me. "Charmer?" I question Ashton's word choice. Charming is the last word I would use to describe his sulky co-worker.

The curly haired boy glances over his shoulder to me, looking just as confused as I am. There is a brief pause before he lets out a soft chuckle. "I was being sarcastic, Luke."

"Right..." I pretend to understand as to why he would want to say something he truly did not mean, and search for something to change the subject to. "So, who are these friends of yours that I am meeting?"

"You'll like them, they're cool." He answers me, not fully addressing my inquiry, but leaving me satisfied. I will be getting to know them soon enough, anyway. "We'll be meeting them right up there." He beams, pointing to what looks like a shop down the busy street, on the opposite side of traffic.