date number two

Chapter Seventeen

I blink my eyes to darkness. I had awoken an hour before my alarm. I guess I deserve that for sleeping all day yesterday.

I reluctantly get up to shower, not looking forward to this great day at school.

I sulk myself downstairs just wanting to stay home. I then wish I hadn't come down as I see my mom patiently waiting for me by the table. Alex had already started on his breakfast not meeting my eyes. A little warning would have been nice.

"Your recent behavior is unacceptable, Emma." She scolds me. It takes every ounce of my being to not come back with a snarky comeback as I know she's not done with me yet.

"You're grounded this weekend to think about your new attitude." This was not expected. What new attitude? All I did was come home early.

"All I did was skip one day!" I get frustrated with this unnecessary punishment.

"And it's not like I'm going to be going out anyway." I continue. Honestly, I don't even see how grounding me is any good, I don't get out much anyway.

"Now it's a week. You want it any longer because I can extend it more." Clearly, she didn't like my response. I raise my hands in defeat and grab a small snack for the ride to school. I knew we could go on for ages, but I didn't want to get stuck home forever.

Alex tries to get my attention on the way to school, but I brush him off. I did not have the energy to go after him, and not in the mood after mom.

I didn't bother going to my locker as I make my way to history. The classroom was empty when I entered.

I pull out my phone and distract myself as everyone enters before the bell rings.

"How come you didn't say that we've met." The boy next to me asks halfway into class.

"I didn't think you'd remember. And anyway why to bring this up days later, it seems as if you've only just remembered that night."

"Touché."

"Plus I don't even remember your name." I go on still looking through my phone.

"Ouch, didn't make an impression on you I guess." He fakes hurt causing me to roll my eyes at his idiocy.

"I'm sure you don't even know my name either, you were piss drunk." I state looking at him unamused. It seems I was right as he ponders over what I had said, deep in thought as if he was trying to figure my name out.

I smile at my victory but soon it's wiped away.

"Emma, right?" How in the actual fuck did he remember?

"I remember saying bye after Michael got me, I called you Emmy." He nods remembering that night. I cringe at the nickname again.

"Please don't ever call me that again." I say trying to bash the message through his thick skull.

"Okay, Emmy." He smirks. This boy had a death wish.

Just as I'm about to jump him, the teacher addresses us, probably saving his life.

"Emma! Calum! Get back to work."

I glare at Calum plotting how to dispose of his body after he's dead.

I grab my bag as the bell goes off and hurry to my next class, dodging everyone as I go. Calum tried to get my attention before I stormed off, but I didn't want to put up with him any longer than need be.

I push my way through people standing in between tables in biology, getting a few cuss words thrown my way.

"Where were you yesterday? I could have sworn I saw you yesterday morning." Ashton says sitting next to me

"You missed me?" I tease looking his way. A smirk plays on his lips.

"Would you like to go out with me later?" I have to take a double-take, making sure I heard him right.

"As in, on a date?" I ask him to clarify.

"Yes." He laughs lightly at my expense,

"Tonight at seven?" Of course when I'm grounded.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." He hurries after thinking I don't want to go.

"No, I do. Honestly. I'm just thinking how I'm going to make it work." I say not elaborating my grounded situation.

"Care to explain?" Damn him.

"As you may have figured, I skipped yesterday." I sigh giving in,

"My mom grounded me because I have a 'bad attitude' lately." I mock my mom causing us both to erupt in fits of laughter.

Today has been very back and forth. So much in one morning. First dealing with my mom then Calum and now I have a date later with Ashton.

We go over the plan to meet up at seven quietly during the lesson. This shall be interesting.

→  →  →

"Girl, where the hell did you go yesterday!?" Isabel yells once she spots me entering the lunchroom.

"Shhhh. I went home." I quiet her down, dragging her to the table.

I make eye contact with Ashton across the room and he gives me a dimpled smile before turning back to his conversation.

"What's got you so happy?" I'm snapped out of my thoughts.

"Nothing." She turns to see where my eye line was and turns back in confusion.

"You and Ashton?"  She asks in shock. I look down to hide the blush that is appearing on my cheeks.

"How? Wha-" She goes speechless trying to process the new information,

"--with mr bad boy over there?" I look up at her and nod. Her mouth is open with wide eyes, her arm in the direction of him.

"I've never seen him with a girl before." Now it's my turn to look shocked.

"Really? Then why is he pursuing me?" I look back over towards Ashton. He's running his hand through his curls glaring at his friend.

"You must be special." I look back at Isabel stupidly. Like he'd find me 'special'.

The rest of the day I ponder over Ashton asking me out. I didn't know what he wanted to do with me. He had seen me at my worst and still wants to take me out. Beats me.

The ride home was the same as the ride to school. Quiet.

Alex and I didn't bother to talk to one another, there wasn't much to be said. And I'm not sure I could talk to him about sneaking out later. It's better he doesn't know.

I tell my mom to not bother to get me for dinner saying I wanted to just stay in my room for the rest of the night.

I plan out my outfit for later when I make it to my room. I had picked a tank top paired with some denim shorts that I had yet to wear. Australian weather was very nice and I was still not used to warm weather year round.

I busied myself with late assignments waiting for seven to come.  

When I see Ashton pull across the street and I make my way up to my room to sneak out.

I dress casually but manage to still dress up nicely as I dress quickly.

After putting on my saddles, I push my window up slowly making sure it doesn't squeak. When there's enough room for me to fit through, I swing my legs through the opening looking down to plan my next course of action.

Luckily there's a lattice near my window that goes all the way to the ground. I position myself so my legs make contact with the fence and turn myself to climb down it safely.

When my feet hit the ground, I sigh in relief. I take one last glance at my room before scurrying around to the front of my house without being seen through any of the windows. I run across the street when no cars are in view and get into Ashton's car leaning my head back once I make it alive.

Ashton takes me to a small coffee shop and we each pick out a drink.

"I'm quite happy we're not going out somewhere fancy." I say looking down at my drink.

"Sometimes the littlest things are best."

"Does that apply to more than just this date?" I ask barely containing my laughter. The look on his face was priceless.

"I didn't mean for it to come out that way." He laughs with me shaking his head making his hair bounce lightly.

I look outside after we find a table to sit at. There's a small music shop across the street that piques my interest.

"We should check that shop out." I nod my head across the street.

"Okay." He agrees ad we make our way across the street.

Do you play anything? Ashton asks looking around the store.

"Not much really, but I've wanted to learn how to play something."

"I'm a drummer. But I dabble in other instruments as well."

"Well drummer boy, I dare you to try and play the guitar." I say pointing to one. He jokingly picks it up and strums a bit but it really shows he's not good at it. I just laugh at his expense.

"Yeah, I'd like to see you play drums. You're most likely as bad as I am playing this guitar. I'm very rusty as you can tell." He says setting the guitar back where he picked it up from. My laughter stops when I'm I see him challenge me.

"Fine." I strut over to the drum set and pick up the drumsticks off the stool and sit down. I stare at the various parts no clue on how to even start.

Ashton is now laughing at my inexperience and I turn to glare at him.

"Yeah, yeah. You've got me. I have no idea what I'm doing."  I say fiddling with the drumsticks.

"I could show you if you want." He smiles at me and I shrug inviting him to help me.

"It's not as complicated as it may seem, it just takes a bit of practice and patience." He says positioning himself behind me.

His arms move around my waist and his hands settle on mine to help guide my own.

He guides the sticks to hit different drums and teaches me a simple beat and lets me do it on my own after a while. This took a lot of concentration on my part.

I smile after completing the beat on my own and turn to find him smiling with me.

"Not bad for your first time." I roll my eyes standing nowhere matching his six foot statue.

"I couldn't have done that without your help." I point out.

We both lean in, I stand on my tiptoes inches away from touching lips. My stomach is doing flips as I close my eyes. When our lips connect, my stomach erupts with thousands of butterflies. We both pull away seconds later looking into the eyes of each other, shocked at what just happened. But another thought plays in my mind. I wanted more. 

I grab ahold of his shirt pulling him back down and crash my lips into his taking him by surprise but he's soon moving his against mine. I tangle my other hand in his soft curls as his hands wrap in my hair.

This kiss made my body ignite all over, and I craved more. I never wanted to leave his lips or wanted his touch to leave. He moans when I tug at his hair, and I open my mouth to deepen the kiss.

We both pull apart to catch our breath. I blush at the way I had just initiated the second kiss on my own. All I wanted at this moment was Ashton. I just hope he'll catch me.