Chapter 2

Ashton woke with a start Friday morning. He was unsure as to why he had woken so suddenly when he remembered what was happening after school. He was so existed to meet these people. But this good feeling came crashing down with a thud when he remembered there was still school. Ashton definitely wasn't the most popular boy. He had only 2 friends; the music teacher Mr Clark (call me Davie) who let Ashton spend lunch in the music room; and Lucy who he sat next to in almost every lesson.

Ashton got out of bed and dressed in the carky green uniform, which was universally hated and trudged the 20 minutes to school. It was a shame he had forgotten to check facbook because everyone else had. The whole day people were coming up to him with either a look of disgust or calling him a legend. Jesus what had he done. During ICT he decided to check. There were photos of him streaking past the neighbouring houses naked! At least the weather had been warm. And there was a video which recorded him say how much of a shit hole KFC was. So that's why his boss, well ex-boss, had reacted so badly. Lucy leaned over and whispered "Jesus Ash, what did you do".

"Omg, I have no idea but I have some great news. I met a guy in a band and I'm playing a gig tomorrow" Ashton replied

Lucy gasped "really that's…" but at that moment the teacher shushed them. After watching the clock tick by slower than usual, or so it seemed, Ashton was finally free. He waved good bye to Lucy and raced home.

He changed into a purple shirt and jeans and set off on his yellow bike to get to Michaels. When Ashton finally arrived he was flabbergasted. The house was huge. He rang the doorbell and waited. As he looked down he saw sweat marks, it had been a long bike ride. Great first impression. NOT! Michael opened to door and took him through the house into the garden were the "little outhouse is" as Michael put it. It sure as shit wasn't little. This kid had a whole freaking house in his garden.

They entered into the living room where the small blond boy from the video was sitting slumped on the soffer. He stood up to say hello and man was he tall. "Hey mate I'm Luke, how you doing"

"Good" Ashton replied as a voice floated out from the kitchen, he hadn't realised there was already a 3rd member.

"I'm bringing the snacks in I hope you like salted popcorn" said the 3rd voice. It belonged to a tallish boy, with mocha skin and jet black hair, which tumbled down one side of his face. His arms were muscular and loaded with good looking snacks that looked just as edible as him. As he turned to place to goods on the table Ashton saw a feather tattoo on his arm. Ooo a bad boy Ashton found himself thinking. Wait what! Ashton had started to feel all tingerly inside and felt his face flushing a little. A feeling had started to overcome him that he had never had before, or at least not for a boy!

"Oh you must be Ashton" his name sounded all new and lovely in the guy's voice "I'm Calum". Oh Calum, that name would never be the same again.

"Err yer that's me" Ashton could hardly talk. Whatever was the matter with him?

"So" began Michael, oblivious to Ashton's distress "I have a list of songs here that I think we should play". Ashton took the list and was relieved to find it consisted of bands he liked, All American Idiots ect, ect. After some cropping and changing they finally had a set list. Luke, Michael and Calum decided they would practise some together and Ashton Listened. They were good, sounded like they had been playing a while. But the hole time Ashton couldn't keep his eyes of Calum, the way he strummed those strings, god!

After 20 minutes of playing they decided to chill and watch a movie. Luke wanted to watch Mean Girls but the others wouldn't have it. So they stuck on a race car film called Fast and Furious. It was very entertaining and they all agreed they were looking forward to the sequel. Ashton mostly liked it because he could sit close, very close, next to Calum. Eventually it was getting late and they all wanted to get a good night's sleep for the gig tomorrow. "How you getting home" Calum asked Ashton.

"I have my bike" Ashton started to reply but Calum interrupted.

"Well my mums coming to pick me up she can drop you off if you want". Ashton agreed. Couple more minutes with him would be nice.

When his mum arrived they put his bike in the boot and jumped in to the fairly comfy car.

"Oh, hey boys, how was the practise" Mrs Hood asked, but then she noticed Ashton "oh I haven't met this one before. A new friend?"

"Yer this is Ashton. He's Michael's friend from primary school" Calum lied. Ashton looked at him quizzically but Calum just laid a finger on his lips.

"Arrr that's nice. So do you play an instrument as well? Calum plays the bass"

"Yer I play the drums. I'm looking forward…" but Calum gave him a stern glare so Ashton changed cause "to, to learning another instrument. Mabey Calum could teach me the bass".

"That would be lovely. Well here we are at your, um, flat". Ashton thanked Mrs Hood for the lift and got his bike out the boot, Calum helping him.

"What was all that about" Ashton asked concerned

"My mum doesn't know it's a proper band, she just thinks it's for fun. I haven't told her about the gig. She'd go ballistic. My grades are dropping as it is. She'd hate it if I had another hobby to distract me from school". Calum hissed in a low voice

"Another hobby?" Ashton asked with a raised eyebrow

"Yer football…" but at that moment his mum started bibing.

"I have to go. See you tomorrow"

They swapped numbers and then waved good bye.

"Gosh" Ashton thought to himself "you're in big trouble"