"Oh -- I didn't know you where filming."
Her bashful laughter hummed in the air, echoing back from the empty hallway and made something within his chest tighten. There was a certain sense of pride within him for having made her laugh and it dawned on him that he seemed to enjoy the sound so much, he felt desirous to hear her it more often -- to always be the reason it evoked from her lips.
The familiar voice snapped him back to reality, only to find himself gazing into a pair of chocolate brown hues that stared at him intently, confusion and amusement sparkling up at him.
Allie chuckled anew, shaking her head as she tugged on the sleeve of his suit and he leaned into the touch effortlessly, following close by as she dragged him away from the noisy chatter in the main hall. "I asked if you wanted to get out of here," she repeated, the talks of the crowd fading into background noise once the petite brunette pushed open the door and strode outside, "I'm off the clock and the event seems to be running smoothly, which means I'm free to go and leave as I please."
"Right." The young male nodded, rewarding her with a grin as the fresh air swirled around them and the smell the drizzle left on the pavement greeted him. He sneakily cast glances at the female whom accompanied him, watching the way the black dress which hugged her curves moved as her eyes observed the quiet streets. "Would you like me to take you home?"
"Not quite yet," Allison drawled, her tone of voice implying she was up to something and her male companion quirked a brow. Not so much at the thought of what was to come but more so at the brutal realization that he had internalized her speaking habits.
He knew the impish undertone of her quiet ideas, the barely audible, yet piteous crack when she chocked up 'cause she was close to tears, the gleeful hum when she suppressed her laughter and the tender note radiating off her every word when she adored something.
He was entirely smitten. Pathetically so.
"What's going through that mischievous little mind of yours?" The question was merely a cover up, perhaps even a way to distract himself from the ridiculous school boy behavior he was portraying. He was a damn grown up, not an eight year old who had a crush on his teacher. Then again, if Allison would be his teacher, he might've harbored a thought or two non-school-related...
"I don't know about you but I'm craving a milkshake right now. Rosie's diner is barely three streets away. What do you say?"
"I'd say that it's raining."
"Drizzling," she corrected, raising a scolding finger and Ashton couldn't help but think of the teaching association he had formerly made within his mind, "There's a difference."
"We'll get wet. And I'm not carrying your, 'cause it's your fault for wearing heels." Except he would if she'd just ask. Which she wouldn't, of course, and he'd never dare to openly admit. It would just cut short on their playful banter an he enjoyed it too much to let it end.
"I can walk just fine by myself, baby," -- Ashton's heart skipped a beat at the choice of nickname, despite knowing its teasing background -- "And you're a chicken. We'll barely get damp if we run."
He wanted to question her, really, but much to his amazement the brunette sprinted out from under the deck they had occupied and hurried down the rainy streets. All whilst wearing her heels. "Last one there's a boring stoner!"
You just couldn't help but laugh once you came into close proximity of her. Or so he thought, as Ashton chased after her, the little drops of water falling down on him no longer or importance as he watched her throw looks over her shoulder to stick her tongue out at him.
"Cheater," he called out, just to hear her stiffle a laugh while trying to keep up her pace.
He could've easily outrun her but he caught up with her at the door to Rosie's Diner only to let her push it open, ringing the bell hanging above it and chocking out a triumphant sound. "Ha. Getting out of shape, hm? Getting a bit chubby too, don't you think?"
Ashton smirked as he swatted her hand away, which was nudging his side. "I let you win that race, you're aware?"
"You're just a sour loser." Again with the sticking her tongue out. If only it wouldn't look so darn cute."
"I'm a gracious winner -- plus, we're both wet from your drizzle."
"Just order a milkshake it'll make you feel warmer."
"Fine. Be that way. Order a boring old coffee then."
Ashton merely grinned at her dramatic sigh ere she waltzed to the counter and requested a malted chocolate shake. He followed close behind her without being asked twice. As he always did.
"Do you want anything?" The brunette asked, smiling up at him and he took note of several little raindrops caught in her lashes, shaking his head in response. "Like I said. Boring."
He did end up ordering a coffee after all but convinced the young woman to retreat into one of the booths instead of sitting at the counter at the very least and ended up taking a seat across from her, out of the mere concern he'd end up being unable to keep himself from touching her in one way or another, should he be within close proximity. The fact that he now has a hard time concentrating on the ongoing conversation because he is too busy watching Allie chew on her straw, the tip of her tongue brushing against it once in a while when she pulls it between her lips ... well, it's distracting, to say the least.
"Are you even listening?" Apparently the object of his affection caught wind of his questionable conversation skills and Ashton is quick to raise his brows at her and nod eagerly. Unfortunately Allie just narrows her eyes and tries to fight off a smirk. "Oh, yeah? What did I say?"
"Maybe if you'd be talking about more important things I'd bother answering," Ashton swiftly cuts in, trying his best to throw her a rather teasing grin that does not look like he's still thinking about her mouth in places other than that straw.
Allie rolls her eyes in amusement, gazing at the clock behind the man across from her that reads 01:45 in bright red letters and suddenly her face gets a tad more serious, the ease formerly surrounding her washing away. "I should get going. It's getting kind of late."
"We used to be out much longer than his. *Getting old, Carter?"
The brunette purses her lips to hide her grin, ere she shakes her head. "Getting responsible, more likely. I know that word mustn't be very prominent in your vocabulary, however, so I'll let it slide this time."
As she moves to slide out of the booth, Ashton feels himself getting alarmed, desperate almost for her presence not to vanish. "You could crash at my place," he suggests out of the blue, unable to stop the words from falling, "It's closer. I have a spare shirt to lend you."
Allie smiles and it's sincere, affectionate but not in the way he wants it to be and he almost guesses the answer before it slips past her lips. "As tempting as that sounds, I'll have to decline."
Her petite frame gets up from the leather surface, fixing her ponytail before she rewards him with a smile once more. "Thanks for sticking around tonight. But I should really get home and check on Matthew. I bet he's doubled over on the couch again if Logan even got him back in one piece."
And there it is; the brutal reality crashing down on him. Matthew. Her fiance. His best friend. Allison Carer, soon to be Nichols.
It's at this very moment he wishes to unlearn the tone of her many voices 'cause he can just too easily tell which one she is using the second Matt's name passes through her lips..
It's faint but tender. She loves him.
The way Ashton loves her.
She's long gone by the time the drop of dew on her leftover milkshake trickles down her glass but Ashton remains staring at the empty space she used to occupy nonetheless, horrified by the realization of just how deep he had gotten himself into this mess.
You simply couldn't fall in love with your best friend's girl.
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