No Strings Attached

Chapter 1

I watched Ashton bolt up the stairs and slam the door to the bathroom before my foot touched the first step. 

"Jesus Christ, Sky," Cyrus sighed as he dropped his hand on my shoulder. My lashes fluttered several times as I gawked up at him, truly puzzled. Had I already done something wrong? "Learn to smile around the guy. You look just about ready to throw up whenever Ash talks to you." 

If he only knew. 

"Whatever, man. I'm just glad you're not madly in love with my best friend or something stupid like that." He guffawed before planting a kiss on my hair. "Now that would be some cliche shit I'd have to keep an eye on." I was grateful Cyrus didn't notice how my cheeks flared as he jogged upstairs. 

Once in my room, I plopped down on my bed, my eyes scanning the glow-in-the-dark stars scattered about my ceiling. I grew giddy realizing I only had a couple more hours to go before night fall and my room became my own celestial sphere. My breathing slowed as I curled up on my bed, closing my eyes, only to have my door creaked open. 

Expecting it to be Cyrus, I kept my eyes squeezed shut as I mumbled. "Get out. You have your own room to loiter in." 

At a sinister chuckle that was much too deep reached my ears, I sprang up abruptly, giving myself whiplash. "Too bad I really don't have a room here or I would." I gulped as I saw what Ashton was actually wearing as he remained leant up against my vanity. Or rather, his lack of. In only a towel hanging low on his slim hips, it was a miracle I hadn't died of instant heart failure. 

"C-Cyrus's room is next door, A-Ashton." He had gotten our rooms mixed up. That was the only possible reason as to why Ashton March was stood in my bedroom in nothing but a bloody towel. He probably still had shampoo in his eyes and had opened the wrong door in the bathroom, leading into my room. Or maybe he wore glasses and I never knew? "Uh---" 

"Goddammit, kiddo, why do you always look like a deer caught in a pair of headlights around me?" At my wide-eyed blink, Ashton rolled his eyes. "And I'm not stupid. I know exactly where Cyrus's room is." 

My fingers shook as I pulled at a loose thread on my blanket, dropping my gaze. I was sure to have heart palpitations if he continued to stare at me with those big eyes of his. "T-Then why are you in here?" I was praying to every deity up above that he would simply walk right out of my room without answering. I didn't want to hear that velvety deep voice of his. Not right now. I couldn't. 

"I wanted to say 'thanks'," Oh, cut me some slack. "I used up like half of your shampoo and conditioner in the shower. How'd you know I was a sucker for coconut?" 

"I didn't." I whispered, shaking my head. Now I'd have to make a quick run to the store to buy some more hair products. Preferably something that wasn't coconut-scented. 

His brows furrowed over his narrowed eyes. "That was a rhetorical question, kiddo. I know you don't know I like coconuts." I took in a shallow breath, on the verge of hyperventilating when Ashton raked a hand through his soaked hair. "Has anyone ever told you how awkward you are?" 

Had anyone ever told you you had smoking body and was seconds away from giving me a nose bleed? "I get that quite often." 

Ashton laughed, the melodious sound resonating off my walls and sending shudders down my spine. Shivers that I failed to hide from his light gaze. "I'm glad it's not just with me. That'd make things... complicated." 

"Make what complicated?" I queried, glancing up at him. 

Bad mistake. 

He was leaning forward, a smirk playing across those full lips as he gazed down at me. My breath caught at his sudden proximity, my hands instantly clammy. Never in the ten years that I'd known Ashton March had he spoken to me without my brother present. Much less in nothing but a thin towel. 

"I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, now would I, kiddo?" And shooting me a quick wink, he sauntered out of my room. 

My breath rushed out of my lungs as I collapsed back on my bed. 

I didn't even get to watch my twinkling stars that night, after all. 

__________________________________________

After much thought, I finally decided to post this story on here. 

I know it's not very long, but it'll progressively get longer in the next couple chapters.

Hopefully, you enjoyed it! (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

Also, the lovely cover to my story was drawn by my amazing friend Ashley, who's just the most talented darling I know （〃・ω・〃）