I somehow managed to go to sleep within five minutes, because the next thing I knew someone was poking me. I opened my eyes, only to be blinded by the setting sun. Sunsets aren't usually bright, but when it comes to waking up and your eyes aren't entirely adjusted to the light, then yeah, they are.

"Time to go, sleepy head," said the voice that I recognized as Luke's. Yeah, I already got his voice down in my memory. It's deep and sexy. How can I not?

I groaned and closed my eyes. I shifted myself so that way I was facing up.

"Carry me, Lukey," I muttered without thinking, stretching my arms at him. It wasn't until many seconds of no response from Luke did I realize what I just said. I widened my eyes and shot up, slapping my hand over my mouth.

"Whoa, don't do that! You might hurt yourself!" he exclaimed. I didn't dare look at him in the face.

"I- I didn't mean that! I'm sorry!" Blush was forming on my cheeks. I buried my face into my hands and wished that someone would take me away and throw me into a ditch deep enough for me to not be able to get out.

"Hey, it's okay. Don't be embarrassed," Luke laughed. Oh, God. He's laughing at me. I feel like such an idiot. I refused to remove my hands from my face, but then fingers wrapped around my wrists and pulled them away. I looked up to see what was going on and found that Luke was kneeling down so he was eye level with me. His blue eyes were glistening, no matter how cliche that sounds, and his black lip ring was even gleaming as well. "However, as much as I'd like to fulfill your wishes, I did a lot of running and am sweating a lot. I don't think you'd want to get my sweat all over you. But I'll try my best to help you to the locker room. I need to take a shower and change back into my clothes."

Th-the locker room? Change clothes? Oh, shit, he's going to strip down, and I'm going to be in the same place as he.

I felt my cheeks heat up, but I turned my head away so my fringe would block enough of my face so Luke wouldn't see the red that had formed.

"C'mon, give me your arm."

I didn't have to lift my arms, however, because Luke was already pulling me up. I was waiting for my dizziness to take over, but it didn't, thank God for that. Luke had his arm out behind my back to make sure he'd catch me if I were to fall, but I told him I could manage.

We began making our way to the locker room. A lot of guys were already shirtless and walking around freely. I clung to Luke as he chuckled. We stepped over to Luke's locker. He twisted the lock back and forth until it clicked and he opened the locker, pulling out a towel and some shower supplies. I sat on the bench as Luke removed his black cleats and socks. He closed his locker and began heading to the showers.

Well, I guess he isn't going to strip in front of me after all. I'm not disappointed, if you're wondering. I'm relieved, actually. I wouldn't know what would happen to me if he were to start removing his clothes right in front of me. I think he'd wonder why I was having a nosebleed.

I already embarrassed myself plenty of times; I don't want to do that again, especially not in front of Luke.

His locker was just across from the showers, so I could see him still. He threw his towel over his shoulder and stepped into one of the open showers. He closed the shower door that only covered from his shoulder down to his knees. He placed his towel on that and then began to pull off his shirt and he threw it so it was hanging next to the towel.

I know I can only see his legs down and shoulder up, but- oh, my God. Look away, Ashton, before you die!

Shortly his P.E. shorts followed afterwards. I could tell that he pulled them off along with his undershorts, because a piece of his boxers was showing from inside the shorts.

I finally managed to peel my eyes away from Luke as he turned on the water and began his shower. I swear, I'm red as a tomato right now. I don't think I've had a more exciting moment than that. I'm such a creep. I deserve a slap across the face with a wrecking ball.

Moments later more people began crowding the aisle that I was at. They were all talking at once and laughing really loudly. They didn't even acknowledge my presence, since one of them bumped their shoulder against me and still carried on with the conversation.

"I saw that!" I twisted my head around and saw Luke glaring in my direction.

"Saw what?" asked the guy that bumped into me.

"Go apologize!" Luke demanded. The guy seemed confused at first, until his eyes landed on me. He gasped and placed both hands on the side of his face.

"Oh, my God, I didn't even realize you were there!" There was sarcasm in his voice. I could sense it. He smirked and looked up at Luke. "Isn't he the guy you knocked out?" When Luke didn't respond, the guy knew that it was Luke's confirmation. He turned to me and leaned over so his stank breath was practically hitting my face. "Just to let you know, after a week Luke will have no reason to be around you, so don't think that he'll always be around." He and his friends laughed and then left.

Even though that was all entirely true, I couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt in my chest. After a week Luke will be out of my life, and I'll be back to watching him from a distance.

Those guys were really rude. I'm glad Luke isn't like them at all.

"What a jerk," Luke grumbled. I don't even know if he heard what the guy said to me, because that guy was whispering. On a completely different note, his breath smelled of rotten garlic mixed with dead fish.

I glanced over at Luke who had his back facing me. He was scrubbing shampoo and conditioner in his hair.

Luke without spiked up hair? I wonder how he'll look then.

My phone rang and I pulled it out to see that Harry was calling me.

"Harry?" I asked into the phone.

"Michael," corrected the voice. "Harry's driving right now, and we're heading back to the school to pick you up. That's, if you're still at school..."

"Yeah, I'm in the locker room," I told Michael.

"The locker ro-" Michael cut himself off with his obnoxious sounding laughter. "He's in the locker room with the freshman!" I heard Harry laughing loudly. "Don't do anything funny, Ash. We don't want you getting any STDs."

"You dope, that's only if one of us has it. I don't think he's got any, and I'm a virgin," I whispered the last part. Yes, I am a virgin. No sex for me until marriage, that's the kind of person I am. Or whenever I'm comfortable to do it, whichever comes first.

"Okay, whatever, but still. If you ever want to do anything... there's a present in your pocket."

"What?" I felt all of my pockets and then reached into the front left one when I felt something. I pulled out an unopened condom. I threw it across the locker room with a yelp and it hit the wall with a small slapping sound.

"Ashton?" I twisted myself around to see Luke shut off the water while looking at me. "Anything wrong?"

"N-no, everything's fine," I said through a forced smile. The towel slid from the door, and a minute later Luke opened the door to reveal himself wearing only a towel that clung to his waist. His hair was damp and fell in front of his face. I turned away and kept my eyes focused on Luke's locker door, because I didn't know where else to look. I found it kind of surprising that Luke and I were now the only ones who were in the locker room. Everyone else was gone.

Oh. We're alone. Just me and Luke.

"You sure?" he asked. I heard his voice become louder and then I could sense that he was behind me. I felt him press against my back, and I froze. "Excuse me, just need to get to my locker."

I managed to shake myself from my shocked state and slide to the right so I wasn't in the way. He stepped over the bench and began turning his lock around. I stared at his arms. They were a bit muscular. Then he opened the locker door and dumped his P.E. clothes in there, but not before taking out his boxer shorts. I averted my eyes from Luke.

We may both be guys, but how does he not feel awkward? I'm not even the one who's changing, yet I can't seem to keep myself calm.

Breathe. I need to breathe.

"Ashton," Luke spoke up. I didn't look at him, though. "I walked to school today, so we might have to walk back to your place, if it isn't too far away."

"Actually my friends are going to pick me up," I told him. My phone rang again, and, as if on cue, it was Harry's phone. I picked up and brought the phone to my ear. "Michael?"

"Harry. We're walking to the locker room right now." I glanced over at Luke who was now only wearing his boxers. He was grabbing his black jeans and was slipping a leg into the pants.

"O-okay..." I answered, my eyes still on Luke. They then decided to travel up to his bare chest. After getting his pants, he used the towel that used to be around his waist and began ruffling his hair to get rid of some excess water. He draped the towel around his neck, and then grabbed a black shirt from the locker.

"We already went through the locker room door, and- oh. Hi, Ash." My eyes landed on Harry and Michael. Harry had the phone two inches from his ear as he stared at me, then to a shirtless Luke, and then back to me. He looked at his phone and hung up.

"N-nothing happened, I-I swear!" I stuttered, flinging myself from the bench, but my foot got caught by its leg and I was falling forward. Before I could hit the ground, two arms grabbed me and pulled me close to the owner. I glanced up into Luke's blue eyes. He had one arm hooked inside his shirt, but other than that, I was pressed against Luke's chest!

"My bad," I muttered through an embarrassed smile.

"Whoops," he smiled, cheekily as I blushed madly. He helped me stand straighter, and I pulled away so that I was standing in between Michael and Harry. I brought a hand over my face and kept my eyes away from a chuckling Luke. Suddenly, Michael began clapping loudly.

"What a show! You two deserve an Oscar!" I shot him a glare and began telling them to start walking out of the locker room. I was about to go when I felt Luke take hold of my wrist. He twisted me around and his blue orbs stared into my brown ones. I feel my heart drumming loudly. What if he can feel my rapid beating through my wrist? Oh, God, he's so close. His breath is hitting my red cheeks. I'm pretty sure I'm super red right now, but Luke doesn't seem to notice or care about that.

"Be careful, okay?" His gaze didn't leave mine. I gulped, and then nodded. I just noticed that he was taller than I. He was the same height as Harry. For a freshman, why does he have to be so tall?

He released my wrist and pulled his shirt all the way over his head. He went over to his locker, pulled out a backpack and black Vans with black socks stuffed inside them. He slipped on his socks and shoes and then closed the locker. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and began walking out.

"Wait!" I called out, and he turned. God, why did I do that?!

"Yeah?" he asked me. Why did I call him out? Maybe because I wanted him to stay with me? I need to say something. It's been eight seconds, Ash! Say something!

"Do you want us to drive you home?" I blurted out. He blinked at me, and I knew right then and there what he was going to say.

"You sure I won't be a bother?" I gave him a nod. He looked up, thinking for a moment. "Sure, but my house is just a twenty minute walk. Just letting you know."

I walked beside him and he placed an arm around me. I tensed at the touch, but then relaxed myself. Luke Hemmings's arm is around me. I think I could die happy now. But if I died, then I wouldn't be able to spend time with Luke.

But after the week is up, then I won't be able to talk to him again. He won't have any business with me, and why would he talk to me in the first place? He's sort of forced to because of his coach. He's forced to take care of me. He's forced to do this for a week.

He's forced to be with me.

We made our way out of the locker room and saw Harry and Michael waiting by the wall.

Harry was sending daggers in Luke's direction. He hurt me once, and Harry already hates him. See, that is a good and bad thing about being friends with Harry Styles.

"Oh, you coming with us?" Michael asked. Luke nodded.

"Yeah, Ashton suggested that I get a ride from you guys," Luke explained.

"Oh, did he now?" Harry growled, his glare never leaving Luke.

"Haz..." I warned. Harry looked at me and his face softened. "Behave." Luke didn't seem to notice the hatred that burned in Harry's eyes. Harry just turned on his heels and began making his way out towards the student parking lot. Michael, Luke, and I then followed behind Harry who was walking at a rather fast pace.

"I didn't quite catch your name. What was it?" Michael asked.

"Luke Hemmings," Luke answered. Michael nodded.

"And obviously you've met Ashton Hemmings, right?" I gaped at Michael who was now smiling and trying to hold in his laughter.

"Hemmings? I thought your last name was Irwin?" Luke looked at me with confusion in his eyes.

"It is!" I barked, mostly at Michael though. "Michael is just being a dork!" I tried to swing my arm at him, but failed when he easily dodged it.

"Oops. Slip of the tongue," he said in between his laughter. "You should come over to Ashton's. You know, to hang out." I widened my eyes at Michael, and then brought my eyes to look at Luke.

"Oh, I actually have other plans. I'm going to be studying with my friend."

"Yeah, he has plans. He can't come over, Michael." I put a lot of emphasis on his name, hoping he'd catch the hint that I want him to stop what he's doing.

"Psh, that's what all the freshmen say," he said, completely ignoring me and my warning, "and once they reach senior year, studying isn't even in their book of words."

"Dictionary," I mumbled, but Michael didn't hear me.

"And it's the beginning of the school year, so why study? Oh, and speaking of your friend, you can invite him over as well. Plus, Ashton will be lonely." I glared at Michael.

"I won't! I have you guys!"

"Likie I said, he's going to be lonely." Luke thought for a moment, and then nodded.

"I guess I could study another day," he said. Michael jumped up and down as he threw an arm over Luke's shoulder.

"Awesome! Where's your friend at?"

"Hold on, I'll go call him and ask." He pulled his phone out and walked over to the side.

Michael then whispered in my ear, "You're welcome, Ashton Hemmings."

I took another whack at him, and successfully hit him this time. He just kept laughing and pointing out that I was blushing.

"You're an idiot, you know that?!" I yelled at him. He grabbed me by the wrists and kept my hands in place. "Dude, let me go so I can beat you up!"

"Nuh-uh! I just did you a favor! Now you owe me!"

"No way! You're just embarrassing me!" I began to use my feet to kick him, but I nearly fell from that. Michael still was gripping my wrists, so I didn't fall, thanks to him.

"Move your bums! We haven't got all day!" Harry yelled as he stormed off again. I stopped trying to hit Michael and he released me.

"Why's Harry acting like that?" I asked Michael, although I knew the answer to that already. He was just being an overprotective friend. But he needs to learn to forgive and forget. Besides, Luke didn't mean to hit me. He just lost control of the football, that's all.

Michael, however, shrugged, "I really don't know, but it'll blow over soon. Hopefully."

Luke stuffed his phone into his pocket and walked back over to us.

"Unfortunately, my friend can't make it. He's got some family stuff to do. That's what he told me, anyway. So I guess it's just me and you guys." Oh, great. Why do I feel like my friends are going to try to steal Luke away from me? Or try to embarrass me as much as possible? Michael's already doing the latter. Stupid Michael.

"Alright, then let's get to the car!" Michael skipped ahead to catch up to Harry, leaving me alone with Luke. That idiot, always doing things like this to me. Luke and I then began walking right behind a bubbly Michael and a pissed off Harry.

"I have a feeling that I'll have an interesting experience with you lads," Luke told me as smile slipped onto his face. I groaned and slapped my forehead. The idiots that I call my friends are just going to embarrass the hell out of me.

"Even though it's my house, he invited you over." I shook my head, Stupid, stupid Michael. Although, I must admit that I did kind of wanted Luke to come over to my place so I could spend more time with him, but I didn't want to be a bother to him, so I didn't say anything. Plus, there's also the matter with my friends, especially Michael, who will do everything in their will to make sure that they humiliate me

"Do you not want me to come?" Luke questioned, a little bit of hurt evident in his voice.

"That's not it! I- I want you to come over, but-"

"Aw, Ashton, if you wanted me to come to your house, all you had to do was ask." I felt my heart beat fast at that simple reply.

"But what about what you told Michael? How you said that you had plans?"

"I did have plans, but if you want me to come over to your house, then I'll cancel all of my plans for you."

You only met me today. Why are you saying this, Luke? Do you realize what you're doing to me just by telling me that? Will everything be the same next week or will we go back to being complete strangers?

The rest of the walk was silence. It was awkward for me, but Luke felt totally fine with it. When we reached my car, Harry climbed into the driver's side. Somehow Michael managed to make Harry smile again, and he was back to being his cheeky self. That was, until Luke and I arrived to the car. But instead of trying to kill Luke in his head, he decided to ignore him and start joking around with Michael.

Luke opened the car door for me, which surprised me. I muttered 'Thank you' to him as I took a seat right behind the driver's seat. Luke could've sat at the window opposite of where I was sitting, but no, he decided to sit right next to me.

Shit, our thighs are touching. 

When Harry left the parking lot to go to my house, I was starting to feel tired again. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the window when I felt hands reach for my head and lean my head the other way.

"Use my shoulder," Luke whispered. "It's better than the window."

I was too tired to protest, because I secretly wanted to lean against him, but I had to resist before he gave me permission to use him. I just grunted and readjusted myself so I was comfortable. He draped his arm over my shoulder and his head was now leaning on top of mine. A smile made its way onto my face.

I never want to get out of this position. Ever.