Great Escape - Luke Hemmings AU (IN PROGRESS)

3- Please

The next evening, I waited nervously for Ashton to knock on the door. I don't know why I was so nervous, this time I was more prepared. I'd been out during the day and found a supermarket where I'd managed to stock the fridge, showered, put on some clean clothes and done my makeup. I even wrote a little bit and reacquainted myself with the keyboard, tinkling across the keys as the hours passed. It felt good to be pretending everything was okay, but I couldn't help but worry that reality was going to catch up with me sooner or later.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by Ashton's familiar knock at the door. Once, then twice. When I opened it he was stood with his hands in his pockets, and I noticed the lack of the Harry Potter glasses that I now realised were somewhat endearing the night before.

"Hey,"

"Hi, come in," I tried not to look too excited by his presence.

He stepped inside and took a seat on the sofa again, making himself comfortable. He was good at that.

"Shall I make us some tea? I went shopping today,"

Ashton nodded heartily and laughed.

"You found a supermarket then?"

"Just about, it's not like I have much else to do," I walked over to the sofa with the two mugs of tea and sat down beside Ashton. He took the tea gratefully and smiled up at me.

"I'd love to show you around properly some time? I can take you to this bar downtown. It's kind of a dive, but they have live music there most nights," he paused "that is of course, if you'd like that?"

I would like that, I would really like that. But I promised myself and my mum that I wouldn't start drinking again and a bar didn't seem the best place to action that rule. I debated what to tell Ashton, not wanting him to think I wasn't interested or that I didn't like the idea of spending time with him. I noticed him looking cautiously towards me and became aware of the prolonged silence between us.

"I would love that. The only thing is though, I kind of promised myself that I wouldn't be drinking while I was here,"

"That's fine, we can just go along and listen to some music. We don't need to drink to have a good time,"

I allowed myself a small chuckle "I guess not, I just didn't want you to think I wasn't interested,"

"I can take you tomorrow night if you'd like? My friend is playing there for a bit, I can introduce you,"

I didn't dare ask Ashton what day of the week it was.

"Tomorrow night is perfect," I smiled instead.

"Perfect," he repeated.

We finished our tea in silence, my mind wandering to tomorrow evening. I was hesitant about being in a bar after the last time ended in a night in hospital, but excited to be spending more time with Ashton and getting out of this apartment. I could sense that Ashton felt uncomfortable around silence, his fingers drumming on the side table.

I stood up and walked over to the keyboard "I can play something if you want? I wrote some stuff earlier,"

He grinned enthusiastically and nodded "I'd love to hear it,"

Even though I had anticipated that response, I couldn't help but feel nervous at the thought of actually playing in front of someone. I did grades as a kid, but I'd never played my own stuff for anyone else. I placed my mug on the sideboard and sat at the keyboard, my back to Ashton. I started to play a few chords, the melody slowly building in tempo as my confidence increased. I didn't know if it was even any good, I just wanted to keep Ashton here longer. When I turned around, he had stood up and was watching from over my shoulder, causing me to jump a little.