Ashton couldn't sleep that night, he kept thinking about the person that he used to call his best friend, is back in his life. The boy he used to have a crush on in middle school and who he had to forget because he moved too far away to keep a friendship going, or to even try to. He had a restless night and he had to get up early again the next morning. He was able to stop his alarm from going off that morning, that's how late he was up.
He feels sluggish and definitely needed some coffee this morning. He usually eats breakfast in the dining hall with his friends, but they're going to ask him why he was up all night so he's gonna try to avoid them today. He also doesn't want to deal with the questions that they're going to ask about the club.
Ashton goes downstairs and of course, there he is, basically waiting for him. Ashton pretends he doesn't see him but of course that plan doesn't go well. "Good morning, you're never here this early, up all night thinking of me?" Ashton gives him the side-eye. He goes up to the lady working to order a coffee, unfortunately, she says that the coffee machine is broken and offered him a cup of Matcha. Ashton makes a sickly looking face because he despises Macha, it's what all the basic girls have, plus it tastes like dirt. "Oh don't bother, I'm OK, I'll get through my day without a shot of energy."
It is nearly 6 in the morning and classes start at seven. His friends are usually on their way down here by now and he's trying to avoid them, so he makes his way back to his dorm. Phoenix follows him and says " I know an amazing off-campus coffee shop that is open all the time, and their machines never break." Ashton stops walking for a second, "Why would I let you take me somewhere?" Phoenix laughs and shakes his head. " we're friends remember." Ashton rolls his eyes and says "Yeah the keyword is were, and we're not anymore and haven't been so you could stop trying." " I never mentioned the word were and it doesn't mean that we don't even have to be friends ever again, we can restart, that's unless you want to be." Ashton sighs and knows he'll never get away from this kid. He took so long to get over how he felt and to get over him being so far away, he doesn't feel like trying again.
"Before you say anything else that is completely unnecessary and rude, just remember that I still have to communicate with you to help you practice, so I'll see you later." Again Phoenix leaves and Ashton has nothing to say nor can he comprehend. "This dude is so strange, whatever."
Ashton gets a knock on his door and he's guessing that it's phoenix again but when he opens the door it's actually Gail. "What are you doing in here did the date go that badly." "It wasn't a date and you know that I'm just not feeling well today." Gail walks into his room and sits on the bed, Ashton close the door so no one else comes in. "Where is everyone else?" Gail's size and looks at him, "Where do you think? Did you lose your memory too? Ashton this is something that we've been doing since we got to the school and since you weren't there of course we're going to be worried." Ashton lies on his desk and feels slightly lightheaded probably from not being able to sleep last night. "You don't have to worry about anything just go eat and go to class I'm skipping today." Gail stands up and puts his hand on the doorknob, " can you just tell me what's wrong?" Ashton slams his fist onto his thigh and continues to hit it, it's an anxious habit he has. "I'm telling you that I don't feel well what else would you like me to say?" Gail opens the door and closes it but in a very angry way. " God, some people really need to get out of my business."
Ashton falls asleep until noon and he gets a phone call. It's a number that he doesn't recognize but he picks up anyway, sitting up in his bed slowly he answers the call. "Hello? Who is this?." Ashton puts his hand on his head and size and is shocked to hear who it is, "I'm glad you still have the same phone number from 10 years ago. I'm on my way to drop off your schoolwork today, your friends were going to but I offered to since they looked a bit out of it." "You don't have to" "I'm on my way, bye." Ashton tosses his phone by his feet on the bed and folds his arms. Then there's a knock on the door and he knows who it is.
He opens the door and Phoenix just makes his way right into his room. He leaves the work on his desk ends he's also holding a bag. "I figured you should eat something since you probably haven't today, I need to keep the energy up." Ashton goes over to his pile of work and ignores what he says. "I'll leave it on your side table, I might as well just stay here since you need to rehearse and I don't wanna leave you alone." Ashton still ignores him and takes a seat at his desk. Finally, he says, "Ok." Phoenix sits on the part of his bed where it faces directly behind his desk chair. "There's no way I'm letting you do all this work without having eaten yet, it'll only take a few minutes please." Ashton tosses his pen on his work and turns around, he isn't aware that he is right behind him so he gets flustered.
He doesn't look him in the eye and he nervously scratches the back of his head, "Um... yeah OK I'll do that." Phoenix smiles and rests his head on his fist. "Good, I also got you some green tea it's probably warm by now but that's good for when you don't feel well." Ashton sets the food upon his small round table and nods. " I hope the soup is cold, did you need me to warm it up." He shakes his head and digs in. Phoenix takes a seat at the other seat at the small table and wants to him. When action is done Phoenix is quick to clean up everything for him too. Ashton goes to the bathroom and when he returns he said back at his desk to do his work.
"I'm going out to get us some water, when I return we will start our practice and I will bring my guitar with me, I hope you know how to sing." Ashen looks up from his work for a second look at him with no expression and then goes back to his work. "I'm guessing you were very excited, I will be back."
As soon as Phoenix leaves he holds the door for someone and someone walks in. " I thought you left," Ashton says as he doesn't look up from his work. The person doesn't respond but has a smirk on his face. Ashton whips around and notices that it's Trenton. "The work wasn't all that hard today but I see you have some distractions." Ashton throws one of his pencils on him and Trenton laughs. "He's helping me with something for the club." " yeah because I'm going to believe that."
Ashton puts his work away as he is completed with it and stands up. "That is exactly what we're doing so get those perv thoughts out of your head." Trenton laughs and shakes his head, "I came here to check on you because Gail said you were in a douche mood earlier and you know Gail doesn't just call people douches for no reason so I thought I come by." I should liens against his window and doesn't make eye contact, "You seriously cannot tell anyone and I mean anyone." Trenton not signaling that he can continue what he has to say. "This person his name is Phoenix and he was my best friend in middle school and elementary school before he moved away. I um..." Ashton doesn't feel like he can say the rest so he makes up something, "It took me a while tough... find new friends." Trenton nods and says "That's all? Are you sure?" Ashton is hesitant again but he definitely doesn't want anyone to know how he used to feel, "Ye... Yeah. That's all." Trenton accepts his friend's answer and believes that that is all he had to say. "What made you all upset about it though?" Ashton thought the complicated questions were over so he just says "I wasn't upset about it can you do to ever just not feel well?" Trenton steps back and says "Of course, I'm just trying to make sure that you're really OK and not just physically." "Thanks but if I need a therapist you were definitely not one I'd consider." They both laugh and the door opens again, it's Phoenix and he brought his guitar as he said. At least that awkward conversation can finally end with Trenton now he can have more awkward conversations with Phoenix. Trenton assumes that his cue is to leave so he does.
"You really brought your guitar?" Ashton shakes his head and sits on the end of the bed. "Of course I brought it, what do you think we were going to do?" Phoenix follows his steps and sits on the end of the bed as well. " today will be the basic chords and I need to know if you know how to sing." Ashton keeps forgetting that he hasn't seen him in 10 years. " I grew a small liking to it but I don't think I sound all that great." Phoenix looks at him, satisfied with his response. "I'll be the judge of that, sing something." Ashton looks to him with his eyes wide open, "You mean right now?" Phoenix laughs and says, "Yes idiot right now, not tomorrow, not next Friday, right now." Ashton try to think of the first song that comes to his head, then he remembers his favorite band. "How about something by Imagine Dragons?" "Is that really still your favorite band?" Ashen is a smile but it gets rid of it really fast, "Yes they are." "Go for it then."
Ashton begins to sing Dream, by Imagine Dragons, Phoenix chimes in with his guitar. Phoenix also sings a couple of lyrics here and there. When they are done Ashton looks down and he feels hot again. They stare at each other for a bit, but Ashton "We can be a band or something." Phoenix laughs and taps his guitar lightly with his fingers. "We weren't that great." Phoenix looks confused and tilts his head towards him, "What do you mean it sounded great?" Ashen shrugs and says, "Yeah I guess." Phoenix slaps his hand onto his thigh and looks at Ash with a flirting gaze, "I'll get you to play this instrument tomorrow but for now I got to go OK?" Ashton doesn't look at him he just continues to look down at his feet, "Sure yeah, ok." Phoenix taps his shoulder and says, "You better be more awake tomorrow cause I'm gonna be going hard on you, see you then."
Ashton throws himself back onto his bed. He thinks to himself why does he act this way towards him when he was completely clueless in middle school. It is almost like the tables have completely turned and now he's the one with the crush. I can never have a crush on a dude, especially with the friends I have now, they would taunt me for the rest of my life. Ashen doesn't know exactly what else to do or say so he gets comfortable for sleep that night, he would like a better rest this time and hopefully, his friends won't have to worry about him so much tomorrow, he doesn't need people on his back about his feelings.
It is morning already and this time the alarm wakes him up. He feels refreshed and he can finally think with a clear and well-rested brain. He gets dressed in his uniform which is a white blouse and black pants. He opens the door and his friends are already there like they were getting ready to knock. "Someone decided to wake up today?" Ashton shakes his head and closes his door and locks it. "How are we feeling today?" 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQMclWWYmx
"Pretty fine, I have to rehearse again tonight." "How long is this going to last?" Ashton sighs, "Until I try out on Friday." "Ahhh that's so long from now, night times are for the boys!" Ashton nudges at Gail "Fuck off, I promised Phoenix." "Hehe, I promised Phoenix hehe." Gail mocks him. Trenton looks over at him to see if Ashton is handling the teasing well, however, he has no reaction. The boys make it to the cafeteria. "You guys get our table, I'll be right there!" Trenton pulls Ashton aside and makes sure no one else can see. "Are you feeling better today?" Ashton has his hands in his pockets and responds, "Why are you so concerned? Yes, I am fine." Ashton is firm with his words. Trenton nods his head in understanding. "Let me know if that changes." Trenton walks away and goes to their table and Ashton follows.
The first bell of the day rings and they are off to class. In the corner of his eye, Ashton sees Phoenix talking with some other guy. They seem to be talking about something serious. The others go ahead without noticing he has stopped, he goes a little closer to try and listen.
"I'm glad you can tell me how you feel." The guy with Nix says. "It's true, I never liked anyone more," Phoenix replies.
Ashton can't listen anymore, for some reason he feels sick again. He runs to class before the late bell rings and he made sure that they don't see him. He gets to the class and his friends look at him weirdly. "Glad to see you are not late today Ash." The teacher teases as he walks into the room. "What the hell man, I thought you were right behind us." Ashton sits down and doesn't hear what Gail says. "Ash!" Gail says louder, people look over. "Hm? What?" Gail shakes his head and gives him a disgusted look. "Sorry, I thought I was forgot something." Trenton bites his bottom lip and listens in on the lesson that is beginning.
At some point during class Ashton must have been in a really hard daydream because the teacher said she called on him four times. "Are you ok? Do you need to be excused?" She asks. Ashton just shakes his head and swallows hard. "Okay, let me know if you need to leave the room." Trenton glances at him and returns to his work.
The bell rings again and Ashton gets up slowly and grabs his things. The boys are on their way to their other classes which are the ones they don't have together. "Come on Ash, we'll be late," Gail says poking him. "Hang on, I need to ask Ash a question about something I missed, he'll be there soon." "Whatever." Gail leaves and goes off to class.
"What the hell." Trenton says in which Ashton replies, "It's nothing-" Trenton raises his voice "Don't say it's nothing it's obviously something don't lie to me anymore what the hell is going on, this isn't like you." He gestures his hands up and down. Ashton takes a deep breath and posts them further away from the crowd of people in the hallway. They end up in a corner the late bell rings but he doesn't care he needs to tell someone. "The Guy that is helping me wasn't just my friend from the old days." Trenton gives him his full attention, full eyes on him. "He was my crush." Trenton doesn't take his eyes off him and Ashton can't do anything but look down at the ground while feeling hot. "So is he still your crush?" Ashton nods his head slowly. Trenton lets out a sigh and says, "So what has been happening to make you feel this way, you don't have to feel shame for it, I know the other guys are obnoxious assholes but they would never stop being your friend for it."
"That's not it. It's the fact that he doesn't know, and he's been being way too nice to me just for me to overhear him have a conversation with some other guy this morning."
"So ask him about it."
"It's not that simple, ok?" Ashton's voice changes, he is frustrated. "I'm going to class" Ashton walks away and rushes to class. Trenton remains there for a few more seconds, thinks about what he just heard, and is off as well.
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