When I got back to the dorm-it was 10:40 and I was pleased I wouldnt get in trouble my first night out. I dropped Ashton off at his place and would return his car at work tomorrow. Luckily work was only 15 minutes away from my dorm by foot.
For the life in me I couldnt sleep. Nicole had won again, I couldnt shake what she said out of my head. 'Was I really like that? I bet the guys think I am. Theyve known her longer and will obviously side with her.' The demons were having a ball again. I eventually sat up and started watching random videos when I got a text at 12:45 from a number I didnt have saved,it read:
"Hey Sally, Im really sorry 4 what happened tonight,we all had too much 2 drink and I really hope u dont judge us for how Nicole is. we r nothing like that. after u left me and michael felt like shit (haha not just bcuz of the alcohol :p) but becuz we really think ur cool and dont want u to think we're douchebags . see u soon :)
-luke"
I was too tired to think of how my number ended up with him but his gesture was appreciated. Luke was a real friend-like a legit one everyone wants. So far he hadnt let me down once. I texted back:
"hey luke, please dont apologize i would never judge u guys for anything. whatever happened was just the alcohols work. thank u for being a good friend luke and haha i think u guys r pretty epic. u should get some rest.bye for now"
Two bells and I read his reply:
" 'night sal :)"
I was about to try and get some sleep when I got another text from a number I didnt recgonize I took a wild guess thinking it would be Michael (for some reason my heart was praying it would be Calum). The text read:
"saaaaaaallllllllyyyyy. i am sooooooooooooooo sorrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyy 4 toooonighhhhhttt and i am sooooooo drunk soo please xcuse theeee horriblee spelllllinggg. we shalllllllll meat 2morrow
micfjsdffjdslklllllll"
Without seeing the first 3 letters of his alcohol spelled name I knew it was Mikey.
"dont be sorry mikey! get some rest dude. see u tomorrow!"
At first I lost sleep because of Nicole stupidness but then it was the anticipation of Calum's text followed by the let down of not getting one. 'There you go again Sally. Stop expeccting so much you dumbfuck.'
I got up to pee and when I got back my alarm went off. 'Time for work, yipee.' I quickly showered and put a button down shirt with a black shrug on top. I followed the GPS on my phone and got there at 8. To my advantage I had a face that didn't change with lack of sleep.
My boss showed me around and assigned me to the children's section to help people find what they needed. I had a slow first day but a nice boss. His name was Josh Reynolds and was in his late 40s. About 5'11 with bronwish/whitish hair he had a kind face. Small eyes a barely there beard, your everyday dad mustache and small brown eyes. His son Kyle was the cashier and didn't look much like his dad. Blonde hair, blue eyes. You could say he had a catalog boy kinda face.
At 2 I had a lunch break but chose to stay at the store instead. I was looking around for something to take home when someone grabbed me by the shoulders. I was shit scared and turned around slowly to see it was none other than Ashton Irwin.
"Jesus Christ! You scared me Ashton! I'm starting to think God brought you into my life too see how long I could avoid a heart attack from being scared shitless."
"Hahaha Sally my child I shall not let you die that easily", he said as we hugged.
"Hows the first day going?"
"Its amazing thank you for this Ashton! Believe it or not, this is actually my dream job-to be surrounded by books.And no I'm not being sarcastic".
Turns out Ash and Kyle were buds and getting me a job was Kyle's way of paying off a money debt to Ashton.
"Some girls dream of working for Louis Vuitton,some dream of being the next Beyonce but my little sister dreams of being a nerd",he sighed and said " I will not let you be a cat lady Sally''
"I won't be don't worry- I'll be a lawn gnomes kinda girl. You hungry Ash? Lunch's on me.", I said as he both laughed.
"If you're buying- I'm sooo eating. There's this cafe two shops down we'll go there."
I told Kyle I was heading out and he said to be back by 2:30. While walking to the cafe with Ashton I realized something- this guh was tall. Like really tall compared to me. 'Damn my 5'3 height.' The cafe was a small shop with booths lining the windows. It was very cozy and it smelt like heaven.
"So what're you in the mood for?", Ashton asked
"Uhh I dont know, whats good here?"
"Their smoked chicken sandwich and lemon pastries are to die for Sal!"
"Sounds good, I'll get that."
We placed our order and ate within 25 minutes. Over the course of lunch, Ash told me how much he hated his boss and his job.
When I got back to my job and Ashton his, I couldn't help but realize how good I had it. So what if Nicole was a brat? What she thought of me had nothing to do with how these guys thought of me and I felt truly blessed but being the ungrateful creature I was,I couldn't help but wonder why Calum hadn't bothered contacting me considering how much he insisted we were 'friends.' Before I could get lost in thought I saw blonde head approach me and no it wasn't my boss' son-it was none other than Luke Hemmings.
"May I help your sir?", I playfully asked Luke and caught his attention.
"Hey Sally",he said as he put down a 'Clifford the Big Red Dog'book.
"How's work treating you?"
"Its great. Can't complain. How's the hangover?" I then realized I hadn't asked Ash how we was but in my defense he didn't seem like he had an ounce of beer last night.
"Its..well..look for yourself" and he took off his sunglasses to reveal his dark circles.
"Stayed up all night puking the night away. It was quite magical. What made it even more magical was when my girlfriend left me the second she saw me puking, so much for being my rock....", he sorta dozed out of this world as he stared at the ground.
"Im sorry to hear that Luke, I said as I patted his arm." 'Damn it Nicole, take care of him atleast'
"Speaking of my girlfriend",he said as he put his glasses back on,"Im really sorry for what happened. Nicole had one too many to drink and I dont know, she used to be so down to earth and comforting but ever since she's been getting more attention she's become someone I'm not proud to be with,but I apologize on behalf of her."
"Lukeee nooo, please dont apologize. Its okay whatever happened,happened. Its behind me and you should forget it too.Your text was more than enough you didnt have to come down here to this wonderland, I laughed, dont worry about it okay? And hey, can we forget it ever happened?"
"Yeah I'd really like that."
"Good. Now tell me, what book would you like to find sir?", I said in attempt to lighten the mood.
"I think I'll buy this one about the big red dog and gift it to Mikey."
"Hahah good choice."
I walked him to the counter and from there we said goodbye.
"Hey, come by Ashtons some time and watch us be total losers jammin out."
"Hahah yeah sure thing."
"Well see you then", Luke smiled and as he turned to leave I couldnt resist.
"Wait-Luke, hows Calum doing? I mean, hows the hangover treating him?"
"He's good. Im sure he's asleep,being the diva he was born to be", he laughed.
"Haha", and with that Kyle called me saying they needed me back at my section.
"See ya later Hemmings."
"Bye Sal."
'Was I getting attached too quickly?' 'Its not my fault he let me believe we were friends.' 'Let it go Sally.' ' It's no secret that you're just a reject.' I couldnt shut-down the debating convection the demons were holding in my head. Before I knew it, the day was over and I texted Mikey to meet up as I remembered I told him I'd see him.