"Hey."

Luca lifted his gaze from the phone in his hands, hazel eyes widening at the sight of Ashton standing in front of him.

"Um, hi?" he replied, his voice flowing in a questioning tone.

"So," the blond boy started, "I know you hate me..."

Luca felt his heart begin to pound against his chest, "Correct."

"But I wanted to know if we could maybe move past that? And hopefully be friends?"

Luca had to catch his trembling breaths that seemed to build up in his throat and fully regain the shock he was feeling from Ashton's simple question.

"Why?" he wondered after a moment, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Because well. I can't– I can't uh stand it when people hate me and...well I guess I think you'd be a pretty cool friend to have," Ashton explained, not comprehending how much he was stumbling over his words.

Luca would be lying if he said he didn't exactly not mind the idea of that but within the depths of his heart, he knew something like that—could never happen. Not when all the drama with his sister had occurred and he had major feelings for the boy that would never reciprocated.

Luca finally found the courage to reject the boy, putting up an act of nonchalance, "I don't think so..."

Ashton sighed, "Give me a chance will you? I was already planning to apologise to Betsy if that's what you want."

"I never understood why you want to be my friend and I still don't. Ashton, just leave me alone will you?"

Ashton stepped back at the harshness of Luca's tone and he didn't know why it hurt so much, but it did.

His eyes trailed over Luca's glistening eyes that were almost a stark golden colour and down to his lips, the feeling of wanting to touch them deepening as the seconds passed.

It was so strange for Ashton to keep feeling like this—feeling this crave for the boy in front of him and he wondered how long he would've gone before diving into his desires if only he had known about his feelings earlier.

There was no akwardness in the short silence that lingered between the two boys, it was weirdly confortable in a way even if there was hurt and pain evident.

"My two favourite boys!"

Both Ashton and Luca turned their heads, casting their gazes on a familiar caramel skinned boy who approached them with ease.

Benji smiled gracefully, and swung his arms over the boys' shoulders, bringing them closer and breaking the distance between the two.

"Hey," Luca and Ashton both said in unison.

Bright blushes crossed the two boys' faces, streaking their cheeks scarlet as they widened their eyes.

A smirk instantly spread over Benji's lips, "Speaking at the same time huh? Cute."

Ashton and Luca turned to each other, their eyes meeting and their breaths growing heavy at their close proximity.

Benji had pushed them so close together that if one were to lean in just an inch or so, it'd be certain their lips would be kissing.

At the realisation of this, both the boy's blushes grew deeeper in colour and they swiftly stumbled away from each other, peering back over to Benji like nothing had happened.

"Anyways, since you two are my two closest friends I have, you know what that means?" Benji exclaimed, a wide grin widening on his face.

Ashton frowned, "Uh no?"

"Sleepover duh! My house, be there five pm friday got it?"

Luca panicked at the thought of sharing the night with none other then Ashton, and the fact that he had never had a sleepover in his life.

Wasn't all that a little childish and girly anyway?

"I don't think I can come...strict dad you know?" Luca lied, shrugging his shoulders.

Ashton shook his head, "Your dad isn't strict what do you mean?"

Luca turned to him, a scowl drawning over his features, "And how in the world would you know that?"

"I've met him only a couple times but Betsy always goes to parties and never mentions that she's not allowed. She even said your dad bought her some beers once, that doesn't sound strict to me..."

Luca's scowl deepened and Benji clapped his hands together in excitement.

"Problem solved! So you'll come yes?" Benji asked, turning to face Luca.

The brunet boy released a sigh and fixed the glasses over his eyes, "fine, i"ll come," he finally replied.

Benji squealed happily and Luca fought back the urge to go back and turn down the invitation. He really didn't think he could handle being around Ashton for a whole night, not with those damn butterflies anyway.

"And you'll come, yes?" Benji then questioned, aiming it towards Ashton.

He nodded in agreement, "Sure, count me in."

♡

A/n: i know i didnt update yesterday, super sorry! I got super sick out of nowhere and felt like absolute crap. Anyway i hope this slightly longer chapter made up for it!! :) pls comment, and vote (i love reading your comments !!)

- lots of gay love, avorra.