there you go

Ashton grinned at Calum as they entered the first coffee shop they could find. It was quaint, and quirky, and Ashton was excited to, at least, have some caffeine. The venue they were playing was a 30 minute journey away, but Michael had gotten crabby and Luke was too busy sleeping to notice anything else, so the three conscious members of 5 Seconds of Summer decided it was best to grab some fresh air. "Alright mate, goals for the rest of this year." Ashton nudged Calum. "Get a girlfriend." He grinned. Ashton was beginning to notice a change in his own behaviour - he felt like he'd been single for far too long, and he wanted someone to call his own. He just hadn't met that one yet, every girl Ashton met had never ignited anything within his chest.

Jess smiled at the barista as she accepted her coffee, accepting her change. Focusing her gaze on her phone once more, she waited patiently for Leah to text her back - the sixteen year old was always glued to her phone, and yet, she couldn't even find a mere two seconds out of whatever conversation she was having with whoever to text Jess. Jess had only agreed to take Leah to this damn concert to begin with because her Aunt and her Mother had both pressured her to do so, even though all Jess would of preferred was to stay at home, with her cat curled in her lap, as she relaxed. But no.

"Oi," Calum complained with a pout when he heard Ashton's words, looking over at his friend, "You say that and you're gonna jinx it. And I don't need you jinxing it, I already have enough trouble on my own." He grinned jokingly as he peered around the coffee shop for a moment, taking in the sight. It was definitely a nice little spot, comfortable and quaint, and Calum knew that, if they had the time, he would have definitely loved to just chill out in there for a few hours, relaxing. But, since they had a show to get to, he knew better than to put any hope into that. Still, Ashton's words made Calum think more because, really, he wished he could find a woman who loved him for him, rather than his career and fame. Chewing on his lip, he peered back at his friends. "Anyways, let's get hydrated, yeah?"

"Coffee's not the best way to get hydrated, but I'm in," Michael joked with a small grin, shrugging slightly, "It's at least the best way to wake us up before the show." And, really, he was excited for the show, eager to really jam out with his friends and give the crowd a good time to enjoy themselves. Blinking, though, as he noticed that Calum wasn't paying attention to where he was going and, seeing a girl walking up who also wasn't paying attention, he couldn't help but to call out a quick, "Oi, Calum, watch out!" But he cringed, because it didn't do any real good, Calum wasn't paying attention to him.

Jess sent a quick text to Leah with a frown, gasping as she collided with someone, her drink spilling over them both, the chill from the ice freezing her hand. “Shit!” She gasped, looking up to apologise, pausing as her eyes met a stranger’s, tall, dark and handsome. She blinked in surprise, studying him carefully and cringing when she saw she had dampened his t-shirt with freezing cold coffee. “Oh no,” she groaned. “I’m so sorry, I should have been paying attention.” She murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Ashton watched as Calum and the girl collided, laughing into Michael’s shoulder. “Oh shit,” he murmured to Michael.

It took Calum a moment to realize what had happened, though the initial freeze of the coffee had him jump slightly with surprise. In truth, he hadn't been sure how to react, still struggling to understand what had happened, but when his gaze landed on the girl who'd bumped into him, it didn't really matter, because he was floored, speechless by her beauty. It took him a moment to register her words, but he grinned, laughing, and shook his head. "No, no, it's okay, really," he assured her, because the last thing he wanted was for this gorgeous girl to feel guilty about something like this - getting his clothes cleaned wouldn't be a problem at all and he could change shirts on the bus, so it wasn't a big deal. "It's not a problem, I promise. Are you okay? I mean, I know the coffee apparently wasn't scalding hot, but still. It's freezing and it got on your hand, so..." He chewed on his lip, anxious and concerned about her.

Michael watched with amusement, unable to help it, and he rolled his eyes. "I did try to warn him," he muttered in response to Ashton.

Jess studied the boy as he spoke, biting her lip anxiously. When he laughed though, Jess felt her worry evaporate, but still, she nodded. “I’m fine, I’m really sorry again.” She apologised. “I’m Jess.” She introduced herself with a weak smile, hopeful that he returned her curiosity, because something about him just caught her attention — whether it was his smile, or his laugh, or his eyes and the light behind them.

Ashton grinned. “He just met his future girlfriend.”

Calum could feel relief fill him when Jess assured him that she was okay, unfamiliar with the amount of concern he felt for her, but he grinned. "Good, I'm glad. You don't have to apologize, though, I'm fine," he promised her, though his grin broadened when she introduced herself, because knowing her name seemed like such an incredible honor. "I'm Calum." For a moment, he just took her in, amazed by her, just finding it so hard to believe that somebody as gorgeous and kind as her existed. "It's really wonderful to meet you, Jess."

"I sense a future ship sailing," Michael chimed out casually, grinning.

Jess smiled weakly but nodded, biting her lip as she subconsciously shifted closer. “Well, Calum.” She spoke gently. “Can I get you something? To make up for spilling coffee on you.” She slipped her phone into her pocket so this man could have her undivided attention. He was worth it.

Ashton grinned and nodded.

Calum blinked with surprise to her words, watching her. He didn't want to put her out, especially when it wasn't necessary, but a part of him hoped that agreeing would prolong the amount of time they'd get to spend together, even though he knew he couldn't stick around long. The sudden realization gave him an idea, though. "Sure, uh, maybe a cookie?" he offered up, "And maybe I could give you my number in gratitude for the cookie? Since an apology cookie isn't entirely necessary." He grinned.

Jess bit her lip with Calum’s suggestion of gratitude and nodded. “I’d love your number.” She smiled softly, unsure of where the honesty came from. “But I’d love to treat you to a cookie.” She laughed. “For, you know, putting up with my clumsiness.” She offered him her hand.

Ashton blinked in surprise. “Smooth, Cal!” He called out with a grin, being teasing but supportive of his friend as he moved past with Michael to put their order in. It was hot outside, and an iced coffee was exactly what was needed.

Calum grinned with the mention of it, feeling a burst of excitement and nervousness flood through him. "Yeah?" he asked for confirmation before he chewed on his lip a bit. "Great, uh, just let me see your phone and I'll put it in." And, really, he felt honored that she had agreed to the idea and hadn't been completely creeped out by him. "Your clumsiness is cute, don't worry." But, still, he grinned, placing his hand in hers, doing his best to ignore Ashton and Michael.

"Ooh, he jumped right in, didn't he?" Michael said with amusement as he followed Ashton, shaking his head, though he made sure to be loud enough to hear. "Since when does that ever happen?"

Jess smiled as she watched Calum chew on his lip, swearing that the sight was the most attractive thing she’d ever seen. “Yeah.” She confirmed, handing him her unlocked phone with no problem, unaware Leah had finally text her. She knew, either from instinct or just a damn good guess, that she could trust Calum. Jess laughed though, with Calum’s words about her clumsiness. “I’m glad you think so.” She grinned, squeezing his hand, although she laughed as she heard Ashton and Michael. “Oi, at least he’s brave enough.” She teased.

Ashton pauses with Jess’ words and pouted. “I’m brave enough! I’m just clumsy. Ask Michael.” He defended himself. “Calum, your girlfriend is bullying me.”

Calum grinned slightly, unable to help it, and took the phone to tap in his phone number and name, saving the contact. Before he could send a text to himself so he'd have her number, though, he saw that she had a notification. "Oh, it looks like somebody texted you," he told her as he handed her phone back, though he grinned with hearing her words to Ashton and Michael, amused that she was standing up for him with his friends' teasing. "Thank you," he chimed happily before blinking to Ashton's words and he looked over. "She's not my girlfriend yet!" He paused, though, when he realized what he said and cringed, looking at her. "I mean, uh... Sorry, shit." Shifting, he rubbed the back of his head. "Not that I'm expecting it, of course, that would be presumptuous and everything..." He made a face, unsure of how to remedy his words.

"He's digging himself into a deeper grave," Michael said with a laugh, doing his best not to lose it, because the situation was absolutely hilarious. "Holy shit, Cal, just shove your foot in your mouth already!"

Hearing Calum’s words, Jess blinked, but smiled bashfully. “Hey, never say never, right?” She nudged him gently, biting her lip, not wanting to admit that she wouldn’t mind being Calum’s girlfriend. “You don’t need to apologise because I think we’d be cute together.” She smiled, not minding if she was out there.

Ashton’s jaw dropped in shock as he looked to Michael, his eyes widened.

Calum blinked with surprise, settling his gaze back on Jess and, surprisingly, he found himself completely speechless, because this gorgeous girl - the most gorgeous girl he'd seen in his life, even, - seemed interested in the thought of being with him. "You think so?" he asked suddenly, a broad grin forming on his features, "I guess we'll have to look forward to what a future for us could hold."

Michael stared at the pair in shock, blinking several times. "Wait, is this really happening?" he asked quietly, looking to Ashton, "Did we step into some alternate universe?"

Jess laughed as Calum looked to her in shock, offering his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go to order him and herself a cookie, biting her lip as she saw Calum’s grin. “Damn right.” She winked. “Especially now that I have your number. Can’t let a cutie like you go to waste.”

Ashton swallowed down his shock, blinking. “I think we did.” He nodded. “No way can Calum pick up a girl that fast.”

Calum grinned with the mention of it, watching her for a long moment. "Then I definitely look forward to you not letting me go to waste," he joked lightly, "Though I definitely don't plan to let you go to waste. You're gorgeous." And, he knew that telling her that could completely ruin things, but he wanted her to know, before either of them had to part ways.

"Okay, nobody's ever going to believe this," Michael complained jokingly, pouting.

"I'm glad you think so," Jess teased Calum back easily, nudging him as she offered him his cookie with an almost bashful smile. She felt like today was her lucky day, she really did, but listening to him speak, Jess just felt a warmth run through her, one that she wasn't familiar with. "And, judging by that gorgeous accent to match a gorgeous face, you're not from around here."

Ashton laughed with Michael's words. "Mate, take a picture. Luke's never going to believe that this happened." He nudged Michael, accepting his own coffee from the barista, still in shock that today was really happening - but he was happy for Calum, despite his teasing. Still, Ashton was itching to get back on the road - they needed to soundcheck, unload gear and change for the show.

Calum grinned slightly as he examined her for a long moment. "I know so," he corrected her gently, nudging her gently in return, amazed with just how comfortable he was with Jess already, even despite his earlier screw up with words. "Oh, uh, no, actually. I'm from Australia. Sydney, actually." His grin broadened, because he couldn't help but to love the thrill he got when she called him and his account gorgeous. "You should visit sometime." He winked teasingly, though he couldn't help the swell of hope that filled his chest with the thought.

Michael couldn't help but to laugh with the thought and he lifted his phone to snap a picture of the pair. "Imagine showing those two this picture, like, five years from now, of their first meeting, the moment they fell in love and such," he joked lightly, "And imagine them actually being together by then." Really, though, he could see the two of them getting together sooner rather than later; they seemed to have a rather obvious attraction to one another, plus there was chemistry between them that could be seen from outer space.

"Australia?" Jess raised her eyebrows with an amused grin, but she was curious. "Well, hey, if you promise to show me all the best sights, I promise to come and visit." Her grin softened to a smile, and she relished in how easy it was to speak to Calum, how everything came so naturally. There was no need to stop and think about the conversation, it just flowed naturally. "So, what brings you to America?" She asked with curiosity, unbothered, but still curious. He was far from home. "Do you miss home?" She frowned with concern.

Ashton grinned. "You better be this supportive when I bump into a girl." He joked, although he almost couldn't believe Calum was having all the luck. It wasn't that Ashton was jealous, in fact, he was happy for his best friend - but he wouldn't mind an interaction like that for himself, just for the excitement, just to see where it could lead. "We have to go soon, you should go and break them up. I don't wanna get my head ripped off." Ashton teased.