double date

Chapter Twenty Four

After weeks of persistence from Isabel, me and Ashton agreed to go on a double date with her and Calum. They had made it official not long after us.

The news of their relationship didn't surprise anyone, they had been very close before.

Ashton and I were the talk of a school after we came out to Isabel. Many people gave me odd glances and talked in hush voices when we'd walk by. I really didn't think it was that big of a deal, but teenagers feed on any drama they can get.

At this moment I'm stood in my bedroom waiting to get picked up. Isabel had planned a day at the movies. Her and I were going to sneak in snacks so we wouldn't have to overpay there. It was ridiculous how much you spend just on concessions.

I dressed casually in faded denim shorts and a tank top. I went light on my makeup and let my hair fall naturally.

My phone vibrates with a message from Ashton telling me that he's outside. I grab my purse filled with hidden candy and make my descend down the stairs.

"Where are you off to in a hurry?" Alex pops out of nowhere.

"Out." Is all I manage to say before running outside. He wasn't happy with me hanging around Ashton so much because of all the things said about him in his grade. I tried to level with him but I couldn't get through to him.

I hop in Ashton's car and we set off to the theater.

"Your friend is relentless." He says hallway there. I couldn't agree more with him.

"I know. I could never be that persistent."

"Thank god." Ashton exaggerates and we both laugh.

When we pull up to the theater, Isabel is waiting with Calum. When she spots us, she lights up and runs at me, breaking her embrace with Calum.

She nearly takes me down. If not for Ashton's car, I would be flat on my ass.

"Glad to see you too." I laugh at my friend as both boys just shake their heads.

This was the first time I've seen the inside of the local movie theater after many months of living here. I've wanted to go many times but I always just stayed in instead.

Isabel and I make it through with our snacks intact and we all head to where the movie is showing. Ashton ends up pulling me closer to him instantly, it takes me by surprise but it winded down to some guy at concessions gawking at me.

I don't really think I'd be one for gnawing at, but whatever.

We sit in the way back away from everyone else, and pass around the snack we brought amongst ourselves after the movie starts. I hog all the skittles, refusing to share with anyone.

The darkness of the room lulls me into a sleepy trance and I grow more tired. The loudness of the movie doesn't seem to get to me as I lean against Ashton trying to stay awake.

A slight nudge wakes me from my unexpected nap. I pick my head off Ashton's shoulder and smile sheepishly at him. Calum and Isabel were already up waiting for us.

I don't know how I managed to pass out during the movie.

"Let's all go get milkshakes!" Isabel turns around once we're outside. Everyone hums in agreement.

I was still a bit groggy from my nap and struggled to comprehend anything going on around me. I shake my head and arms to help wake me up more. It wasn't even late yet.

I stare at my shoes when we walk into the place Isabel decided to go. I'm zoned out on my polka dotted laces when I hear my name being called.

"Huh?" I look up, breaking from my nonthoughts.

"What would you like?" I roll my eyes as everyone laughs at my absence.

"Oh, uh, Strawberry."

We find both in back away from everyone so we can converse in private. Ashton and I take one side while Isabel and Calum take the other. I'm sat on the inside, opposite of Isabel.

"What did you guys think about the movie? Well besides Emma." Calum asks then smirks at me. Everyone but me joins in to laugh at me.

"My bad." I roll my eyes at them. I fell asleep one time. I just know I'll never live this down.

Everyone contributes their opinions on the movie while I just stir my milkshake. I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about.

The conversation switches to school and we talk about teachers we hate and classes we like.

"How did you two get together?" Calum directs to me and Ashton.

"That's none of your business." Ashton says right after. I roll my eyes once again and lightly slap his leg. Calum's cheeks get a faint blush and he takes a drink avoiding my half of the booth.

It would be a miracle if everyone really got along.

Ashton and I decide to leave after we finish. The conversation had died down and all that remained was constant PDA from Isabel and Calum. Those two could not get enough of each other.

When we pull up to my house I can see Alex blatantly looking outside our living room curtains. I sigh at my brother's antics and turn back to Ashton.

"Let's never do that again." I smile.

"Deal. I'd rather have you to myself anyways." He leans in closer to me and I take his lips in mine and make a scene for my brother.

"Goodbye, Ash." I peck his lips one last time before getting out and to my obnoxious brother.

I walk through the front door and find Alex on the couch looking at the tv as if he wasn't just spying on me.

"Couldn't be any less obvious?" I move in front of him with my arms crossed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." He tries to be convincing but his eyes tell another story. I lean in and poke his chest.

"I saw you from the car, Alex."

"I'm just not sure about him, okay? I don't want you getting hurt, again." He brings his arm behind his head, he often did that when he was nervous.

"We've been together for weeks now. Please stop creeping on us, I don't want you scaring him off." He adverts his eyes from me at my complaint.

"I know he has a reputation at school, but he's really not like that in person. Trust me." I continue gaining back his eyes trained on me.

"Okay." He sighs giving in to my request. I really hope he does listen. I turn on my heel to get ready for bed but stop right before exiting the room.

"Oh, and I really hope you didn't watch us make out." I catch him blush at my statement and I continue my journey upstairs joyfully. I like to mess with him when the opportunities came.

I loved Alex to death but sometimes his love suffocates me. I know he wants to look out for me and all, but I need to do my own things.