Cold Cold Cold
The next day, Ashton wakes up at 5 in the morning. He tries to fall asleep again but can't, so after tossing and turning in bed he decides to get up. He puts on his headphones and chooses a playlist. He goes to the kitchen and makes himself a glass of milk and cereal. From his chair he looks out the window at the rain falling and gets lost in his thoughts.
-Good morning- Neil enters the kitchen, he's wearing sports clothes and seems puzzled that Ash is already up.- What are you doing up so early?
- It's raining, I don't think you can go running today.- Ashton responds somewhat harshly.
Neil smiles at him. - It's just some water.
Ash looks out the window again, it's not some water.
-If you say so.
Neil takes a bottle and then leaves.
Ashton doesn't know what to think about Neil. He does not usually speak, he is always present and observes everything around him. As an aside, Ashton hadn't asked out of politeness, but Neil's scars were worrying. He didn't trust him, but it didn't matter; Neil was a friend of his family, not his. And in the future he simply wouldn't have to see him again. For now he would keep his distance.
—
After a few songs the door opens again, it's Kevin. Tall, handsome and athletic: Kevin. His messy hair, his sleepy green eyes, his tattoo, his biceps, his abs... he wasn't wearing a shirt. Ashton picks his jaw off the floor and swallows.
- Good morning.- Kevin says yawning.
- Good morning.
While he prepares his breakfast Kevin stretches his muscles and Ash can't take his eyes off him.
"Gay" Ash thinks "I'm so gay"
While they were eating Kevin talked to him about exy, but Ashton wasn't listening, he was just paying attention to the movement of Kevin's jaw and neck.
-Good morning.- Aaron sits next to Kevin and steals part of his breakfast. Kevin doesn't even bother to scold him, he's used to it, and he keeps talking about exy. Ashton doesn't pay much attention to his brother, he's still distracted.
- You should watch that game, I'm sure you can do some of the techniques that the Trojans used.
- Yes of course.
- Their offensive dealer is...- Kevin continues talking and Ash continues watching him.
Suddenly Kevin gets up to wash his plate, snapping Ash out of his trance. He makes eye contact with his brother, who is smirking while holding back his laughter. Ashton blushes.
- Don't worry, I won't say anything. - Aaron whispers. - Anyway, when you get to know Kevin well, the celebrity effect will disappear.
- Where is Neil? - Andrew enters the kitchen, he is on alert.
-He's out for a run.- Ash answers, regaining his composure.
- Fucking rabbit.
- Is he crazy? With this weather? If he gets injured and can't play, he's dead.
-Shut the fuck up Kevin!- Andrew shouts at him, who sits furiously next to Aaron, his leg bouncing.
Ashton looks at Aaron for an explanation but he just rolls his eyes.
—
At 7 Neil arrives home. They were still in the kitchen chatting when Andrew practically jumped from his seat when he heard the door.
- You're stupid?
- It wasn't raining that much.
-Translation, yes, he's stupid.- Says Aaron.
Neil was soaked. Andrew grabs him by the neck.
- Shower. - Without saying anything else the two disappear.
Ashton reconsiders his thoughts from before, he might have to see Neil for the rest of his life, Andrew and him seem really close. The best thing would be to get to know him, so he can get rid of the feeling of distrust he has every time he sees him.
- What happened to Neil? How did it end up like this?- Ashton asks, interrupting the conversation the other two were having.
-Aaaa...- Aaron puts on a serious face- You see Neil's father...
-No, Aaron, shut up.- Kevin says. -Ashton, if you want to know, you'll have to talk to Neil. He can tell the stories about himself.
Ash nods.
—
Back in his room Ash draws in the room.
His phone rings. "Dad" he thinks. He runs to the phone and answers it without looking at the contact.
-Hello?
-Hello Ash.
-Ah, Hello Liam.
-Ok... You didn't need to sound so disappointed. Would you have preferred it to be Emily?
Ash laughs. - No, sorry.
- So that means you would come with me this afternoon to, you know, explore.
Ash laughs again. - Of course, why not.