Cover in media made by: _Jikko

My mom couldn't care less about what I was into. I could tell her I was going to jump off of the Sydney Bridge and into the water and she'd still say 'go ahead' or 'be safe'. Yeah, as if I'd survive a fall like that. I'd die just from the impact. Not to mention I'm not the best swimmer there is, so even if I didn't die from hitting the water, I'd surely drown within seconds.

So I told my mom that night about the road trip, and I earned a grunt of some kind of approval from her. So I guess I can notify Ashton.

I ran up to my room and jumped onto my bed. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and immediately began to dial Ashton

After two rings he finally picked up. "Y'ello?"

"Purple," I said, gaining a snort from him.

"That's pathetic."

"Then don't make colors the first thing to say when answering my calls. Anyway, my mom said yeah. To the vacation, I mean."

"I expected an okay. Anyway, we're leaving tomorrow morning at eleven. We're meeting up at my place. Don't be late!"

"If it means I'll be out of the house, then I'm showing up an hour early. What do I bring? Just clothes?"

"Uh, yeah. We were planning on stopping by at a lake to swim at, but..." He trailed off, because I knew he didn't want to say what else was on his mind.

"Yeah, I know," I sighed. "I'll bring clothes and some shower stuff as well."

"Great! Okay, I need to pack. I just got my bag out of the closet. Call you tomorrow!"

"Okay, see ya." Then we ended the call and I set my phone on the nightstand by my bed. It's a good thing Ashton lives close by, or else I'd have to bug my mom to take me to his place, and I know how much my mom doesn't like driving me around.

I went to my closet and pulled out a bag to stuff my things in. I threw in about four outfits, because that should be plenty of clothes for the trip. I decided to get the bathroom supplies in the morning, because I need them tomorrow.

When all my clothes were in the bag, I went downstairs and saw that there was a dinner plate, wrapped up. I walked over to it and took off the clear wrapping. This is how my mom gives me food: wraps it up and sets it on the table. It gets cold, so I have to heat it up in the microwave.

Honestly, would it kill if my mom could make some effort of trying to spend time with her only son? Guess so.

Once the food was heated up, I took it up to my room. I set it down on my computer desk, and immediately went on my laptop.

I was on Facebook when I noticed that there was a friend request for me. I opened it up and looked to see who sent it to me.

Some guy name Calum Hood.

I clicked on the name to see who this Calum was before I do any accepting.

I saw his profile picture and there was a guy with his arm hooked around another guy, and I recognized the two right away.

It was Luke and Caleb. Well, it's Calum now.

This guy's Luke's friend. But why would he send me a friend request?

Oh, I see now. Luke probably wants to use his account to torment me over the internet as well. But Calum never did anything to me. It was always Luke. Sure, he'd laugh at the idiot's stupid jokes- if I can even call them that, because they just suck that badly- but never had Calum did anything.

Whatever, I'll just accept his request and see how things turn out. If I receive something that could be related to Luke then I'm blocking him.

I went on my newsfeed and saw that Ashton recently posted a status. Something about getting a paper cut. And it already had twenty likes in two minutes.

Calm down, people, it's just typical Ashton being his clumsy self. It's not like the Queen of England decided to come over to his place and have dinner with his family.

But Ashton is pretty popular. Unlike myself. I only get attention from others when Luke calls me out in a sea of students.

I decided that I'd shoot Ashton a message.

Michael: ur so clumsy, yknow that

Ashton: haha it was my homework's fault ok shut up. so what's up?

Michael: just eatin dinner. it's just green beans and mashed potatoes ew. but idc im starved

Ashton: fatty

Michael: thats not nice :(

But I laughed anyway. He's obviously joking. Well, he better be.

Ashton: im sorry honey. so you excited about tomorrow?

Michael: yep im packed already. just need my shower stuff and then im all set

Ashton: awesome. i just need to grab some boxers and then im good to go

Michael: okay well im gonna eat now cya tmrw

Ashton: what no kiss?

Michael: since when do i give you kisses weirdo. bye

Ashton: i see how it is >:( but i still love ya mate. later!

I never said Ashton was perfect. He's Ashton. He's never perfect. He's perfect at being Ashton, but then again... who is?

I finished my dinner and brought it to the sink in the kitchen. Mom usually washes them, so I'll just leave it.

I went up to my room again and saw I had a message. It's probably Ashton sending me another message. I opened it up, but it wasn't from him.

Calum: hey sorry abt luke today. did u get the lunch?

I blinked.

"Oh," I mouthed. "It was him."

I decided to answer him and then add a question.

Michael: uh yeah how did you get in my locker?

Calum: ways. and that's good.

I didn't reply to him after. The fact that he got into my locker is now bothering. I hope he doesn't take anything. If he steals my textbooks (which no one would do unless you're a nerd and are desperate for a book) then I might have to move my things to Ashton's locker.

I changed into some shorts and shut my laptop off. I walked into the restroom to brush my teeth. Once I finished I headed off to my room. I turned the lamp by my bed on so I'd still have some light in my room before I go to sleep. I shut off the room lights and jumped into bed and threw the covers over me. I plugged my phone into the charger. Maybe I should bring the portable charger to the trip. Just in case. And its charger.

I turned the lights out and then just stared up at the dark ceiling, thinking about the trip. I hope that it'll be fun. Well, of course it is. We're going wherever the road takes us. As long as we know where we are, Ashton, his friend, and I will be fine.

I closed my eyes and just let sleep take over me.

------

I was up by eight thirty the following morning. I was done showering and was cleaned up by nine fifteen. Ashton said to meet up at eleven, but when I said I was showing up an hour early I was serious. I just want to get out of this house already.

I packed my bag with my bathroom supplies and chargers for my phone and the portable one. I grabbed my wallet and looked inside it, finding I only had a five. My mom usually keeps spare money in the master bathroom, so I'll grab some cash from there. She doesn't care I'm sure. She did say to use the money when necessary. This trip is necessary. It'll get me out of this boring house.

I stuffed my wallet with a bunch of twenties and then shoved my wallet into my bag. My phone was already in my pocket, but I patted my pants to make sure it was there.

Oh, I should probably get some earbuds as well. Just in case I want to listen to some music.

I headed downstairs to grab a bowl of cereal before I start heading to Ashton's house. He lives just the street over, but it's about a fifteen minute walk.

I ate some Cinnamon Toast Crunch, because that cereal is just the bomb. Don't judge.

I shouted bye to my mom and she didn't respond. I rolled my eyes, slung the bag over my shoulder, and left the house at around nine thirty.

I'm pretty stoked about this road trip. I can't wait to see all the attractions that I've only seen in pictures. Oh, and babes. I'm going to see hot girls.

I arrived at Ashton's house finally. Being the good friend I am, I just walked into his house. We always do this, so it's normal for both our families.

"Hey, I'm here!" I called out. I saw Ashton sprinting down the stairs, jumping the last steps.

"Hey, Mikey!" he greeted. He pulled me into a hug and then let go of me. "My friend's going to be here soon. He's bringing a friend of his, too. Maybe you'll be friends with them."

"Yeah, maybe. That's if they're friendly to me."

"And we can be a group! Best of friends who rule the school!"

"Yeah, no. Let's stick with friends."

Ashton shrugged and led me to the kitchen. His brother and sister were sitting there, eating pancakes. They greeted me and I waved at them. Lauren, Ashton's little sister, told me to sit by her and eat some breakfast.

"Oh, no. I already ate, but thanks for the offer."

"Come on, Mikey," Ashton pushed. "I know you want some." He is right about that, but it's their breakfast, and I don't want to eat up everything.

"Seriously. I'll just be in your room." And with that I left the kitchen and went to Ashton's room.

I sat on his bed and pulled out my phone. Then I laid down, still looking at my phone.

It's a good thing I brought my earbuds. I plugged them into my phone and began listening to some songs. The first song that came up was 5SOS's Disconnected.

I really like that band. Their music is awesome. It'd be so cool if I was in that band.

Tch, yeah right. As if I'd ever have a chance. Not even in another lifetime.

I was connected to Ashton's wifi, so I took that opportunity to look through my Facebook to see if I had any notifications.

There was one message that popped up. And it was from Calum. He sent the message an hour ago.

Calum: see ya later mate

I raised an eyebrow. Did he mean to send that to me? Maybe it was meant for Luke. M and L are next to each other, so I don't know.

I saw from the corner of my eye that Ashton had entered the room.

"My friend's here!" he exclaimed. "Come meet them!" Then he scurried out of the room. I reluctantly got off of his bed and walked out of his room. When I was about to leave through the front door Ashton came in and pushed me back inside. "On second thought, it's just my neighbor. I thought it was them."

"Uh, okay?" I said in a form of a question. I was about to walk back in before I heard a voice.

"Hey, Ashton! Where'd you go?" Ashton winced at the voice, and cursed.

"Who's your friend?" I asked, trying to see who was outside, but Ashton stepped in the way.

"You know what?" he began. "Maybe a road trip's a bad idea. Let's go bowling! Yeah, bowling! You'll see a lot of girls at the alley, I bet!"

"You're being strange. It's not like there's anything to hide." I pushed past him and stepped outside. My eyes widened when I saw who his friend was.

"Hey, it's you!" the kid shouted as he approached me, stepping out of a mini van. "Nice to meet you personally. You may know me, but I'll introduce myself. I'm Calum Hood."

I turned to Ashton who was covering his face in his hand. "That's what you were hiding?"

"No," he squeaked. "It's... his friend..."

I furrowed my eyebrows before turning around to look at the van. The person who climbed out of the passenger seat stopped in his tracks and stared at me. My eyes widened and I couldn't move.

"You!" he yelled, menacingly. I saw Calum facepalming himself and Ashton hiding his face behind his hand again.

I'm spending an entire road trip with Luke Hemmings?

Oh, fuck no.