So, everyone took turns playing FIFA and I just sat in the back on the couch, watching them and being amused by their playing. I should really be studying for Stats and doing the homework I was already given, but these idiots were distracting me. Somewhere along the way Luke joined me on the couch and we just watched the lads furiously play FIFA. We were both on opposite sides of the couch, but within minutes we were cuddling. Cuddling! I was cuddling with Luke Hemmings! There were no words exchanged between us; it was just comfortable silence, and I liked it alot.

Liam, Zayn, and Niall decided to go home after one hour of FIFA. They were all exhausted. I asked if they wanted to stay for dinner, since it was nearing that time, but they declined, saying they should really be heading home. Michael and Harry, however, decided to stay. Also, Harry helps me with the cooking, because he's an excellent cook, if you didn't know that already.

When Zayn asked Luke if he wanted a ride home Michael stepped in and answered, "Ashton's taking him home though, so you don't need to go through all that trouble to do so. Right, Luke?"

Luke simply said, "Yeah, he is."

I almost died right there. He'd rather have me drive him home than have Zayn do it. But as much as I'd love to take Luke home, I still cannot afford to lose anymore studying time. If I want to pass Stats class, then I need to study.

Zayn gave a nod before leaving my house with Niall and Liam. Luke tilted his head towards me, "Is that okay? I mean, your friend said it was, but what about with you?"

"Y-yeah, it's fine." No, not exactly fine. Maybe I could have Harry drive him home. But I want to do it.

But I have to study.

But it's Luke "Sex God" Hemmings!

But I don't understand Stats!

But it's Luke!

But Stats!

Luke!

Stats!

Forget it, I'm taking him home. Stats can wait.

A phone ringing pulled me out of my thoughts and Harry digs through his pocket, a wide smile sprawled onto his face. He slides his finger across the screen and brings the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Lou!" he exclaimed happily. It's like he only smiles like that whenever it involves this Louis guy. He really does like him.

I don't know this Louis, but I ship these two together now. Larry. Oh yeah.

"How's your college life?" he asked as he walked out of the room. Michael grabbed my and Luke's arms to pull us towards Harry to listen into his conversation.

"You haven't started yet? Oh, well maybe we can hang out sometime. Maybe before the concert this Friday." Soon his smile fades. "You're busy? But the lads and I haven't seen you since the party two weeks ago. And I really want you to meet a friend of mine."

"He's talking about me," Michael whispered as his hold on my arm tightened. I rolled my eyes.

"Or me," I said. Michael glared at me.

"Why do you feel the need to ruin my dreams?"

"Why must you always embarrass me?"

"Because it's fun."

"Exactly."

"Okay," Harry said, hurt evident in his voice. "I'll... I'll see you on Friday... Okay, bye." Harry hung up the phone and sighed, returning to the den and plopping down on the couch.

"What was that about?" Michael asked, trying not to show Harry we were trying to eavesdrop.

"Nothing important," he answered, emotionless. Soon footsteps were heard and my siblings entered the den.

"Harry!" they both exclaimed as they rushed over to him.

"Are you going to make dinner again?" Lauren asked, hope filling her eyes. Harry chuckled and ruffled her hair.

"Sure. Do you want to help?"

"Haz, you know they can't," I reminded him. I don't trust my brother and sister in the kitchen, let alone with cooking utensils.

"It's fine. Hey, you two can help me set up the table while Ashton and I cook. Okay?" my brother and sister nodded before taking hold of Harry's hand to lead him into the kitchen.

"And I'll just watch them," Michael said, winking at me. "Talk amongst yourselves." Before I could say anything Michael left, leaving me alone with Luke.

Stupid Michael. He always does this.

"Um, Ash?" I turned to Luke. "My backpack is in the car, and I think that if I'm going to be here for a bit, then maybe I could do some homework."

"Oh, okay. I'll go get it." I went over to where my keys hung off the wall and made my way outside. The summer night wind blew against my bare arms and I shivered. I'm wearing a sleeveless black shirt, so of course it was going to be cold for me.

I reached my car and unlocked the door, swinging it open to grab Luke's backpack, which was on the ground. I managed to pull it out. I threw it over my shoulder, locked the car, and turned to head back into the house-

"AH!" I screamed when I saw that a figure was in front of me by a foot. A hand flew over my mouth as my other clutched the material over my chest. I was able to identify whom it was after my heart stopped beating so fast from getting scared.

"Sorry, Ash," Michael laughed. "I didn't think you'd scream. I just expected a jump." I whacked his arm and pushed past him as he followed behind me. "Aw, c'mon, Ash, don't be mad. I said I was sorry."

I ignored him and stormed into the house, but not before I twisted around to lock the front door so Michael couldn't get in.

"Ash!" he exclaimed, banging on the door.

"That's what you get!" I snapped back, a grin forming on my face. I returned to the den and saw that Luke was sitting on the couch, texting on his phone. He heard me walk in and looked up at me, standing from where he was sitting.

"Thanks, Ashton," he said as he slipped the backpack from my shoulder. I felt his touch linger still on my shoulder, even though he was back on the couch.

"No problem. Now, I'm going to go into the kitchen to help Harry out with dinner." He nodded as he began unzipping his backpack to pull out an Algebra 2 book. "You're in Algebra 2?"

"And Trigonometry," he added. My eyes widened. Damn, he's smart.

The doorbell rang, and I heard my British curly-haired mate shout, "I'll get it!"

Then I remembered that I had locked Michael out, and I darted into the living room to the door before Harry could reach it.

"No! Don't get it!" I exclaimed.

"Jerk!" Michael yelled from the other side. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Is that Michael?" he asked.

"No," I said, innocently.

"Yes! Harry, open up! Ashton's evil! He locked me out!"

"That's because you scared me!"

Harry seemed confused from this, so he shook his head and stalked off.

"Haz?" Michael asked. "You still there?"

"No, he left," I told him.

"NO! I'M GOING TO DIE FROM HUNGER AND THE COLD!"

"You're not going to die."

"Yes, I am." I just laughed.

"Be a good boy, Mikey, while I go prepare-" I was cut off when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me backwards. I screamed and then yelled, "Harry! Unhand me or else I-"

I stopped my sentence when I saw Harry walking past me over to the door and opening it up for Michael.

I froze, not turning my head to see who was behind me, because I knew exactly who it was.

When the purple-haired kid entered the house and closed the door behind him he stopped in his tracks and stared at me and then at whomever was holding me.

"Wait! Don't move! Let me get my phone in the den! Harry, grab Ashton's!"

"I got it," said the person behind me in a deep voice. There's no doubt about whose arms these belong to.

"Check all of his pants pockets, Luke," Harry told him. "If you can't feel them, then strip him until you do."

"Haz!" I yelled, turning bright red. I struggled to break out of Luke's hold, but he locked his fingers together and pulled me close to his body, making it almost impossible for me to get out.

"What are you doing in here?" Harry peered behind me and Luke as Luke turned us around.

"Hi, Mini Me and Lauren," Harry beamed. "We're playing a game to find Ashton's phone."

They blinked at Luke. "Who are you and why are you kidnapping my brother?" Lauren asked.

"Oh, I'm your brother's friend, Luke," he answered. "Now, you haven't happened to see his phone laying around, have you?"

"Why are you a part of this?" I growled at Luke whose response was a quiet chuckle, his vocal chords vibrating into my back.

They shook their heads.

"Okay, well wait in your room until dinner's ready," Harry ordered. "Do homework or something."

"Don't have any," my brother said.

"Finished mine," Lauren announced proudly. Harry just told them to do something to occupy themselves and they then scurried off to their rooms. Harry walked past me and Luke.

"Pockets," he simply said. "I'll go check in the den." He left us alone together and I felt Luke drag me backwards.

"You!" I yelled. "Let me go!"

"Michael and Harry were right," he said, ignoring my demand to be released. "It is fun messing with you." I felt him fall back and I let out a short yelp when I was pulled down with him as I clung onto his arms that were still around me.

The next thing I knew, I was sitting in his lap.

"No, I don't feel your phone in your back pockets," he said. His right arm slipped away from my waist as his right hand felt my front pocket.

Oh, my God, his hand is so close.

No, stop it, Ash. Stupid, dirty Ash.

Instead of alternating his hands, the same one reached over and patted my left pocket.

I didn't realize that my breathing had grown heavy from his touch. My heart was definitely racing, though.

"Are you that scared?" he asked me. "Relax, Ashton." His hot breath hit the back of my neck and instantly my entire face had heated up. I tried to think of something that would for sure make him let go of me.

"I..." I began, my voice going quiet.

"Hmm?"

"M-my head h-hurts..." When I said that it almost sounded like I was close to tears.

The next thing I knew Luke sprung up with both of his arms now around me. They snaked away from me and he gently pushed me down onto the chair he was just in.

"I'm so sorry, Ashton. Wait here, I'll look for something for your head." He sounded almost panicked as he hurried off into the kitchen. I almost regretted telling him that, because my head really didn't hurt and I missed the feeling of him holding me close.

Plus, because it was his fault that I got hurt today he probably feels as if he was responsible for me and I think I just made him feel guilty.

Michael and Harry came back into the living room, Michael holding his phone and Harry being empty-handed.

"Aw, why you two have to separate?" he asked, disappointment evident on his face and in his voice. "That was the cutest thing I've ever seen, and it's probably a once in a lifetime chance."

"I can't find your phone," Harry said as he pouted. I just shrugged.

"It's not in my pockets," I told him. "Luke checked." Harry squinted his eyes, almost as if he didn't believe me, and then leapt at me. I flinched before he got to me. "Harry! No!"

"Don't! He's hurt!" All of our eyes turned to Luke as he hurried over to be with a bag of frozen peas. Harry then blinked at me with wide eyes, like he was asking me if what Luke had said was true. He stepped aside so Luke could get to me, and the blond handed me the cool bag.

"I- I didn't-"

"No, it was my fault," Luke interjected before Harry could finish. He looked me in the eyes. "Ashton, I am so sorry."

Yeah, I did make him feel guilty. Now I feel bad.

"I-it's fine." I took the bag up to my head and winced when it really did start to hurt. Luke placed a hand onto my back, and it felt like it was burning into my skin. Not in a bad way, but a nice burning. You know what I mean?

I then heard of a camera going off. I looked up at Michael who was now staring at his phone.

"How cute," he giggled. "This is going to be my new wallpaper. Lashton forever!"

Luke raised an eyebrow, confused, as I glared at Michael. I was about to get up to punch Michael, but Luke placed two hands on my shoulder and kept me down.

"No, sit. I don't want you getting hurt again." I bit my lower lip, guilt flowing through me.

"I'm fine, Luke," I murmured.

"Okay, Ash, I know you're hurt and all, but this is just so adorable!" Michael exclaimed. "Haz! Where's the food?!"

"Oh! Right. Ash, you don't have to cook. I'll do it all tonight." I looked up at Harry.

"You sure you can handle it all by yourself?" I asked him, worried.

He nodded, "Yeah, I can manage."

"Because I'm going to help him!" Michael announced.

"Yeah, no. You can watch over Ash, however." My idiot purple-haired friend frowned, but it was replaced with a smile.

"Okay, I guess I can witness some Lashton moments."

Luke didn't seem to be paying attention. He was mumbling to himself as he stared at the back of my head. I saw from the corner of my eye.

"On second thought, no. You're joining me."

"Holy potatoes, MAKE UP YOUR MIND YOU INDECISIVE CURLY BRIT!" Harry rolled his eyes as he dragged a reluctant Michael to the kitchen. I then heard him exclaim, "Spaghetti!"

I chuckled and shook my head at his idiocy. I turned my gaze to Luke.

"Want me to carry you, Ashton? I need to do homework, but I don't want to leave you here."

"I can walk, it's okay. Besides, I'm not physically impaired." I stood up and began walking perfectly fine, but Luke still had an arm stretched out to me just in case I fell.

He's so caring and sweet, and it's not helping my crush on him at all.

But after a week will things still be like this? It almost seems like it will, but after what that one kid said to me I have my doubts.

We reached the den without any trouble and I sat on the couch.

"Lay down," Luke ordered, "and face outward. Don't add pressure to the injury that I caused."

"Luke..." I began to say as I did what he told me to do

"Scoot in." I did just that. Then he sat on the couch, but giving me enough room if I ever needed to adjust myself. He picked up his maths book and began writing on the paper that was wedged in between the pages.

"Luke?" I asked him.

He stopped writing, "Yes, Ashton?"

"Thank you for taking care of me today," I told him. I know he's only doing it because of the policy that his coach made, but still, it means a lot to me.

He flashed a smile at me, a dimple that I didn't even know he had showing. "No problem."

His hand was now running through my curls, and I relaxed into his touch. I closed my eyes as my face broke into a smile, but it disappeared.

In a week this thing most likely won't happen again. I guess I just wish that he's doing this because he wants to, not because he has to.

But if he had to, then he wouldn't be here. Unless he thinks that he's supposed to when he doesn't have to be. I don't know, Coach Fenton's policies are always weird.

His hand left my hair and I almost whimpered from the loss of his fingers brushing through my hair. I heard his pencil scratching against the paper again.

Instead of sleeping I decided to watch Luke concentrate on his homework as he mumbled random maths stuff to himself. I didn't realize that I had snuggled closer to him until he took his eyes off of the homework to look at me. We stared into each other's eyes. When he blinked, I did as well. He smiled and brushed his thumb over my cheek.

"Did I disturb you? My bad," he chuckled. He withdrew his hand and resumed back to his homework. I may or may not have curled into him, but he didn't seem to mind. My chest was pounding, and I didn't know whether he was paying no mind to the fact that he could probably feel it or if he didn't notice it at all.

In a week, seven days, this will all be over, but right now I'm trying to savor the fact that Luke brought his hand behind him just so he could rub soothing circles into my bare arm with the pad of his thumb while he was doing homework. His touch sent shivers up and down my spine, but I was burning up.

This guy, Luke Hemmings, is so perfect in every way. I'm glad that it's him that I have a crush on.