Clean ⇔ Cashton ✓

Even When You're Crying You're Beautiful Too

A/N: lol the dude in the back who sees the camera and waves

ASHTON

I sit beside Michael at work, drumming on my knee and messing with the collar of my black button up. It's a slow day today and no guests have arrived yet, leaving all the employees in the break room trying to pass time.

Michael does a pretty well job at keeping everyone entertained enough, telling stories and cracking jokes, but I'm only half-listening. My mind is somewhere else, drifting apart from everything else in the room.

Ever since a few weeks ago with Calum's brochure, I can't get it out of my head that perhaps I shouldn't be a waiter during the years before I go to college. I haven't even thought about what I'll study once I get there. It's messed with my head, making my purpose here at the restaurant seem little to nothing. Even so, I can't seem to bear leaving, for whatever reason.

I hop off the table, gaining Michael's attention. The red haired boy looks at me. "Where are you going?"

"Just walking around," I mumble, leaving the break room. I slip around the corner and head into the dining area, still empty. My boss is in the corner, doing some paperwork on the bar table.

I'm about to turn back around and head into the back again but then the front door opens, and in walks Calum. He's dressed in his usual all black uniform, with his necklace still wrapped around his neck. He looks down at his feet as he walks towards the back, and I notice he looks a little paler than normal, like he hasn't slept much. I touch his arm as he passes, and he jumps in fright, looking up at me in alarm.

"Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you," I say hurriedly, and Calum's eyes soften. He gives me a smile.

"Hey, Ashton," he says softly.

I walk with him to the break room. "How was that Christmas party?"

Something in Calum's face changes, and he falters for a moment before walking again. He bites down on his lip before saying, "It was fine."

He looks down, and I glance at where he's looking, down at his hand. For a moment, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking at, and then I see it. And after I see it, I wonder how I ever could have missed it.

A ring is placed on Calum's left hand, fitting snugly on his finger. A diamond that could probably pay for my entire college tuition sits on the band, and it glistens in the light. My chest deflates, and it feels like someone has punched me in the stomach.

"Luke," is all I can think of to say.

"He proposed last night. At the party," Calum tells me. I can tell he's trying to hide the slight shock in his voice as he talks, and he plasters a smile on his face that I see right through.

"You said yes?" I say unhappily. I can't help it. I know how Luke is and I never knew that their relationship would have grown this far this fast. If I did, I would have fastened Calum in my car and drove him away before Luke had the chance.

"I did," Calum says, his voice lifting a bit. He looks me in the eye. "I'm happy. Luke is very excited."

I can't quite tell if Calum is telling the truth, but before I have time to question him on it, a very familiar figure walks in through the front door. I stiffen my jaw as Calum's boyfriend-- fiancé-- walks toward us. His chin is held high, a confident look in his eye as he smiles at us.

He doesn't look at all angry at me, which is even worse than if he was. He just throws his arm around Calum's frail shoulders and gives me a look that is almost smug. "Hello, Ashton."

I want to punch his smirk right off his face. "Hi, Luke."

"Did you hear the news? We're getting married," Luke says, joy clear in his voice. I know for sure that Luke is just as happy as he is letting on, but Calum isn't. One look at his wide brown eyes can tell me that.