Swimming Lessons | AI

Chapter 10

Ashton's POV

Raegan and I road the elevator up to the suite floor where the others and I stayed. I almost thought she wasn't going to come because time was ticking away and the plan ride back to Australia was tomorrow. The boys and I were returning home for a few weeks to see family before coming back to America to do more album promo.

"Well this is the elevator." I joked as still had my arm hooked around hers. "I've requested they change the music but they keep denying it."

Raegan let out a small laugh. "What would have them change it to?"

The elevator came to a stop and dinged as the doors opened. "Anything but what ever they play now." I replied as we stepped off in to hallway, walking to end of the hallway. "Please excuse our mess, if I known you were coming we would have cleaned up a little more. It's been a crazy few days up here." I dug in my pockets for my keycard and then slid it in the slot to open the door. I opened the door to see my friends smiling brightly.

"Guys, meet Raegan. Raegan, meet the guys." I said introducing her as they wave at each other.

"It's nice to finally meet the girl who everyone keeps talking about." Michael said smiling. "Maybe Ashton will finally shut up now that you're here."

My friends smirked and I rolled my eyes. I really just want to give them all the middle finger but I wasn't about to do it while In front Raegan. I looked to Raegan whose cheeks turned a slight shade of pink.

"We're you guys still going out to dinner?" I asked hoping they would get the hint to leave for a bit.

"I thought we were ordering room service and liquor?" Luke said confused and I just wanted to slap him.

"That was the plan but clearly Ashton wants us out." Michael waved his hands around dramatically.

"Don't leave on my behalf." Raegan spoke up. "Ashton and I can down to the bar?" She turned to me. "Is that okay with you? I really don't want to intrude on everyone's plans."

I was hesitant because there were too many eyes down there but I nodded yes. Maybe we could find a quiet booth away from the music and babbles of people looking for pictures.

Raegan said bye to guys as we headed back down the elevator. That awful music was still playing and I really wish I could just tune it out but it was hard.

"I didn't get to give you the tour of the suite. The rooms are nice and the bathrooms are cool." I said as I watched her stare at the numbers descending on the small digital screen.

"It's okay." She said softly give me a small smile. "Maybe next time."

"Definitely next time." I returned the smile. So then I'll see here again? I'm okay with that.

The downstairs bar was fairly busy due to it being a Friday night but just like I hoped, we managed to snag a booth towards the back away from most of the people.

"This is a nice place." Raegan commented as we slid into our booth. "Have you been here before?"

"Yes," I answered. "We've been in his hotel for a few months, so it's been a go to place for the guys and I. The staff is great."

"Well look who it is." A short, bright red headed waitress said smiling.

"Hadley!" I said happily recognizing the waitress who has waited on me a couple times before. "You were off the last time I was in."

"It was a much needed day off." She smiled getting her notepad ready to take our order.

I turned to Raegan. "Hadley, this is my good friend Raegan."

"It's nice to finally meet you." Hadley smiled. "I already know what Ashton's ordering but what can I get you?"

"Mai Tai with extra cherries if possible, please." Raegan requested and Hadley nodded before turning to me.

"Do you want the loaded nachos now or later?" Hadley asked to which I politely said, "Now."

"Gotcha both, I'll be back shortly."

Hadley left and I looked to Raegan who was looking around at the decor. "I like this place. I'd come here more if it was closer to campus." She said, her eyes landing on me.

"Says the girl who doesn't get out much." I joked and she playful rolled her eyes.

"Med school isn't some piece of cake to get into or get through. I just want to survive it all."

"And you will." I assured her. "Why do you want to be a doctor, anyways?"

"I don't know, it's just something I've always want to be." She shrugged her shoulders. "There not a moment I can remember where I never want to be one."

Hadley returned with our drinks and my nachos. I flashed her a smile with a "Thank you" as she went to check on her other tables. Raegan and I both took sips of our drinks. I watched her face twist against the bitterness of her drink.

"Wooo," She said shaking it off. "I don't know how Hailey drinks these. It's good but that first taste though."

"What do you usually order?" I asked laughing at her reaction.

"You're going to laugh but I usually just drink water or soda." She admitted and I honestly wasn't expecting anything less than that answer.  "I don't drink much."

"Help me eat this." I pushed the nachos towards the middle of the table. "I can't have you drinking and not eating."

"So I have question," Raegan said after eating a few nacho chips and taking a sip of her drink. "Have you really been talking to people about me?"

I could feel heat rising to my face as it reddens. "Well people ask me about you a lot. I talked to my friends about you. They were supportive of me trying to stay in touch with you. Does that upset you?"

"No," She dipped her head down to meet her straw with her lips, taking a small drink. "I just thought after the initial media frenzy on the whole situation of you saving me and when things started tapering off that we would just go our separate ways." She sipped on her drink again before continuing. "I never thought we'd be hanging out like this right now."

"Do you not want this?" I asked her curiously. I guess I was so consumed with the idea of finding her and getting to know her I never actually took a step back and asked myself if she wanted this.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm glad you made the effort in keeping up with me because I'm having a really nice time hanging out with you." She smiled taking another nacho off the plate between us. "The spotlight that seems to be hovering around me lately just makes me nervous. I nearly had an anxiety attack giving my valedictorian speech in high school."

"It'll be okay." I assured her knowing I would never put her in the position to be overwhelmed like that. "I'm glad you're having a nice time because I am too."

Raegan's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as her lips pursed together forming a smile. I liked her smile and I really wanted to see it more.

Happy Friday!!!!! Votes and comments are always welcomed. ALSO, I have new Luke Fan fic up on my thing if you like reading things by me :)