Try Hard

Chapter 18 (Ashton's P.O.V.)

The boys told me about Luke losing his best friend. I felt really sorry for him, but honestly, I kind of understand why Lauren never wants to talk to him again. He hurt her pretty badly.

I actually saw Lauren the next day, but I really wish I didn't witness the situation.

I was walking through Lauren's neighbourhood, and I noticed Ally's bright blue hair. I was going to go over and say hi to her, then I realised that she was with Lauren as well as some of her friends. Calum had explained to me that Ally and Lauren don't really get along, so I was confused as to why they were talking. I decided to walk past them slowly, and hopefully overhear their conversation.
Once I got close enough to the group, I heard Ally say, "But you're best friends with him, aren't you?" She must have been talking about Luke, because Lauren replied, "Not any more." "Why?" Ally asked. "None of your business," Lauren muttered. "Tell me!" Ally demanded. Her voice had sounded adorable to me before, even though she seemed bored on our date, but now her voice was cold and harsh.
When Lauren didn't answer, Ally just looked at the other girls in the group and said loudly, "Well, he wasn't  that hot. Neither was the Chinese one. Ugh, I hope they don't call me!" The girls laughed. "Just shut up, okay?" Lauren said angrily. Before Ally could retort, I interrupted them. "Calum isn't Chinese," I said calmly.
Ally spun around quickly. "Oh, Ashton, hi," she said, trying to be cute or adorable. But I saw through it this time. I just ignored her and said to Lauren, "I need to talk to you." She shrugged and started walking with me.

Once Lauren was sure that Ally and her friends couldn't hear her, she turned to me and said, kind of desperately, "If you're going to shout at me for not talking to Luke, I don't really feel like it right now, okay?" I just stared at her. "I'd never do that," I told her, as gently and kindly as I could. "I understand why you aren't talking to Luke. But he's really upset. He hates himself for saying those things about you." "Like, now or before?" Lauren asked quietly. "Now!" I said instantly. "He really did mean it before." "I guess I could talk to him again," Lauren sighed, and I smiled. "But it'll be different than before," she added. "Why?" I inquired. "Well, I used to have a crush on Luke," she replied. "But not any more. I thought before that maybe he would like me back. But I can't compete with Ally, obviously, so what's the point?"
I had no idea what to say to this. I knew Luke did like Lauren back, but if she doesn't like him any more, what should I say? I decided to tell her.
"Luke does like you back," I said. Lauren smiled weakly. "Maybe he did once, before Ally came in and ruined my life."