melody

"So you and Ashton are dating now?" Samantha popped another piece of popcorn in her mouth, laying on her stomach on my bed.

I shook my head. "Not technically. Neither of us has asked."

She squinted. "So he claimed you as his, but you aren't dating?"

"I don't know!" I threw my arms into the air, exasperated.

I fell back with my arms out, my back landing on my bed.

"Any other stories?" Samantha nudged my shoulder. "I'm interested in your boy drama."

"Why is it so interesting?" I questioned.

She shrugged. "I don't have any boy drama for myself, so I make it my duty to piggyback off of yours."

I giggled. "Duty."

"You are such a child," she laughed, swatting at my arm.

"Who's such a child?"

Samantha and I turned around, where Ashton was propped up in my doorway.

"Can I help you?" I asked sarcastically.

He chuckled. "Just wanted to take my girl out for the day."

"Since when am I your girl?" I joked.

Ashton blushed. "Uh, I...Um."

"You're cute when you blush," I grinned.

"She's just saying you never asked her out," Samantha told him in a duh voice.

His eyes widened. "Oh, um... Melody, will you be my girlfriend?" The words tumbled out of his mouth.

I raised my eyebrows before walking over to him. "I'd love to."

He grinned, his face still flushed red. I leaned forward and quickly pecking his lips.

"I'm gonna change first," I looked down at my mini pink shorts and a baggy shirt. "but what about Samantha?"

I looked back at my friend who shrugged. "I'll live. Netflix is calling me!" She rolled off my bed and grabbed my laptop.

I stepped out of my closet after changing into a t-shirt and jeans and walked arm and arm with Ashton to his car.

"So where are we going?" I turned to him curiously.

He shot me a grin. "Burger King."

I stared at him unimpressed. "Burger King?"

"What, I'm hungry!"

I shook my head and laughed.

We slid into the car and started driving to Burger King, which was just ten minutes away.

"You know, I used to work at Burger King," I said randomly.

He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. "Really?"

I nodded. "But then I got the job as a photographer at the place downtown."

He hummed. "What do you normally take pictures of?"

"I used to just take pictures of flowers and stuff for this florist, but I eventually moved onto family portraits. Turns out, my constant picture taking habits pay off," I laughed.

Ashton steered the wheel around as we backed into a tight parking space in front of the fast food place.

"No drive-thru?" I looked at him curiously.

He smiled and put on an awful English accent. "I figured I'd take my princess into the castle."

Oh God. That may have been the worst pun I have ever heard.

I snorted. "Please never say that again."

He stepped out of the car and rushed over to my side before I could open the door. He held his hand out for me to take, so I grabbed it carefully.

"What a gentleman," I teased.

He smirked. "Oh, shut up. You know you love it when I'm like this."

Damn, he's good.

We headed into the grubby restaurant. We both got burgers and pigged out.

"So this was where you wanted to take me?" I swallowed.

He shook his head. "No, there's somewhere else. I was just hungry."

I grinned. We both picked up our trays and threw out all of the trash.

"So where are you taking me?" I eyed him questioningly.

"It's a surprise," he smirked deviously.

I tugged my cheeks down dramatically. "Ugh, I hate surprises."

"Fine, we're going to a park."

I smiled giddily. "Like a playground?"

He shrugged. "I mean, there is a playgrou-"

"Eek!" I squealed. "Will you push me on the swings?"

He chuckled. "Sure, I'll push you on the swings."

We pulled into a small parking lot. There was a large grassy area, a rocky path swerving throughout it. Ashton took my hand and guided me through the path, leading to an old playground.

"Man, this place looks old," Ashton remarked.

I shrugged. "So what? Still fun!" I ran and jumped onto the rusty swing set.

Ashton laughed and shook his head, sauntering behind me.

"Will you push me?" I looked back and grinned at him.

He carefully grabbed the rusted chain, tugging it back before gently letting go. I stretched my legs out, ignoring the ear piercing squeal that came from the swings. I tucked my legs back as I swung backwards. Ashton pressed his hand to my lower back, pushing me forward.

I felt like a kid again. I felt younger with Ashton. He felt homely. He reminded me of my childhood in general. Maybe it was his childish and giddy attitude, or his free spirited mindset. Something about him screamed home.

I sighed as we stopped the swing slowly. Ashton propped himself on the swing next to me and held his hand out. I took it gratefully and started into his hazel eyes.

He grinned handsomely. "That was fun."

I nodded. "Besides for the noises from the set."

"That was irritating," he giggled.

We stared at each other happily.

"I wish we could stay in this moment forever," I sighed. "Like just freeze time and stay here."

"The sunset and everything," he smiled.

I pulled out my phone. "We can't freeze time, but we can capture it," I snapped a picture. "There, another one for my wall."

He grinned. "Perfect." Ashton leaned forward, and i felt myself gravitate towards him. We gently pecked, our hands still intertwined.

"Beautiful!" a familiar voice exclaimed. Ashton and I both looked forward in shock, and I squeezed his hand nervously.

There Michael sat at the end of the metal slide. "I got a really cute picture of you guys."

I chuckled. "Were you stalking us, Clifford?"

He shrugged. "Saw your location on Snapchat. You might wanna turn on ghost mode."

Ashton shook his head and laughed. "Whatever. Can I see the picture?"

Michael nodded and hopped off the slide. He handed me his phone, revealing to me an orange toned photo. Both of us had our baggy hoodies over our outfits, our hoods up. My right arm was back, holding the chain of the swing, while my left arm was grasping Ashton's hand. His left hand was gently resting on my thigh. The sunset was the decorative background.

"This is beautiful, Michael. Thank you," I reached my arms up to embrace him.

He smiled as he hugged me back. "It's nothing. Crystal is gonna be obsessed with this picture."

I laughed. Of course she would.

"She might replace me with you guys as her wallpaper," he joked.

a/n okay it's been like almost a month IM SORRY UGHHHH idk like ik what i want to do with story and everything i just need a bunch of fillers to get through the storyline, ya know?

thank you for all the support! love you all!