Life of the Party (MATL #1)

Troubled Love

Ashton's POV

I looked across the crowded hallway and saw my cousin Luke talking to his best friend Michael. I couldn't help but zone out for a minute, thinking of how amazing he looked, before hearing Louis yelling in my ear calling my name. "Ash, earth to Ashton." And remembered I was in the middle of a conversation with one of my closest friends, who lived a couple hours away.

"Huh, yeah?" I asked dumbly into the phone, trying to turn my attention back to the call.

"You back with us there buddy?" He asked with a laugh.

"Yeah, sorry, just zoned out for a minute." I answered turning back to my locker, hoping that he didn't realize why.

"Michael again?" He asked. He was one of the few people who knew just how much I liked my cousin's best friend.

"Yeah, he dyed his hair again, red this time. And he's wearing that leather jacket and skinny jeans. God, he looks amazing." I sighed as I glanced back again before quickly turning back to my locker before he could catch me.

"Yeah, and he still hasn't noticed you're anything more than Luke's cousin, has he?" He asked, not being rude, just trying to ask.

"Not yet," I sighed again. "You know what? I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna ask him out, right now."

"Are you sure?" Louis asked me, sounding shocked. I had jokingly said it before, but I meant it now.

"Yeah, it's now or never, right?" I asked before turning pleading. "Please stay on the phone with me, I'll either want you to be the first to know or need you for support."

"Of course Ash, I'll be right here for you." I knew if it was a positive answer then I would want to tell him first, and if not that he would help pull me through.

"Thanks Lou, I'll be right back." I said before locking my phone and sliding it in my pocket. I grabbed my books and shut my locker before turning back towards Michael and Luke. "I can do this, I can do this." I muttered to myself under my breath, wringing my hands in nervousness as I walked through the crowd. "Hey Mikey," I started with a shy smile, sending a small wave to Luke behind him. "Um, I was wondering what you were doing after school? If you're free maybe you could come over, we could maybe watch a movie or something?" I asked nervously playing with my long blond hair. The last thing I expected was for Luke to be the one who answered me.

"Sounds great, we'll be there at four, is that alright?" Luke asked. I fought to not let the disappointment show on my face as I answered.

"Uh, yeah, four is perfect." I said fixing my glasses in an attempt to hide my face a little.

"Great, a guy's night is just what we need to start this summer off." Michael added with a smile, giving me a pat on the back as they turned and left. I fought to keep my composure as I made my way to the bathroom, checking it was empty before pulling my phone back out. Although I couldn't help but be disappointed, his smile had made me feel better, it always did. That smile was the first thing I had noticed when I met him, then how green his eyes were.

"Lou? Are you still there?" I asked, hearing my voice crack. I cleared my throat to try to keep it from doing it again.

"Yeah babe, I'm still here. I heard everything, that was harsh. First, your own cousin thinking you were trying to hang out with everyone. Then, Michael calling you one of the guys." He said sympathetically, and I could almost see the look on his face.

"I know Lou, I don't know what to do. My parents are leaving tomorrow night for the summer, I'm supposed to spend the summer with Luke. Mikey is always there, I can't do this." I said trying not to break down.