Hey We're Taking on the World

Chapter Nine

When I woke up the next morning Ashton was still asleep. I decided not to wake him so I walked downstairs to see Maci already dressed and sitting at the kitchen island. “Morning Mace,” I said and started making my coffee. “Morning Jase. How was your dinner with Ashton’s family?” she asked as I sat down. “It was amazing! His family is so sweet! His mom is the most wonderful woman in the world and his siblings are the cutest things ever. I really hope Lauren and I can be close one day,” I said. “That’s great. How nervous were you walking into his mom’s house?” she asked. “I was so nervous! But as soon as we sat down to eat it faded away and I had the best time ever,” I said. We continued talking and a few minutes later I saw Ashton walking down the stairs. “I thought you’d be here. I was so confused when I didn’t see your face next to me when I woke up. Good morning beautiful,” he said and kissed me. “Good morning babe. I’m sorry I didn’t wake you. You just looked so peaceful and I didn’t dare wake you,” I said, he sat down next to me, and I moved to sit in his lap. “Jase, you could’ve woken me up. I love waking up next to you,” he said and kissed me. “I love waking up next to you too. Do you want some coffee, love?” I asked him. “Yes please, my love. Thank you,” he answered and I got up to make his coffee. When I finished making his coffee I placed it in front of him and sat down next to him. “Thanks babe. You’re the best,” he said and kissed me. “I know I am. Can I tell Maci the good news?” I asked. “Go ahead. I don’t know if Luke’s told her yet but I know you’re about to explode with excitement so tell her anyway,” he said and laughed. “What’s the good news?” she asked. “Guess where we’re going after the tour is over,” I said. “Where?” she asked. “We’re going home! You, me, Luke, and Ash are all going home to New York for a week!” I nearly shouted. “What? That’s amazing I’m so excited! It’s gonna be the best week ever! Jase and I will show you guys the best places to go while we’re home,” Maci said and hugged me and Ash. “It’s gonna be great. Now go run up and thank Luke. Tell him to start getting ready too. We need to leave in forty-five minutes to be on time for rehearsal,” Ash said. “Ok I will. Ash, thank you so much. You guys have done so much for us. What can we do to thank you?” she asked. “Just keep being the amazing girls that you are. We all love you so much and we’re happy we met you,” he said and hugged her again. “Will do. Thanks again, Ash. I’ll see you guys soon,” she said and ran upstairs to wake up Luke. “Babe, can we shower? I’m really gross,” I said. “Yeah come on. I’m a little gross myself,” he said and we walked upstairs to take a shower. We got ready in a half an hour and walked downstairs to see the rest of the boys dressed and eating breakfast. “Morning lads,” Ash said. “Morning,” they all replied. “Tour rehearsals day two. Who’s excited?” I asked. “We are!” everyone yelled in unison. “We leave in four days and we have one more rehearsal left. Tour is almost here everyone,” Michael said. “Dude it’s gonna be so amazing!” Calum said. “Alright guys, we should probably get going. Let’s grab our stuff and go,” Luke said. We all grabbed what we needed and got in the SUV to leave for the venue. When we got to the rehearsal space the boys started setting up right away and Maci and I sat in the audience towards the back so we could talk. “Mace, maybe we should skip rehearsal tomorrow. We have a lot of stuff to do,” I said. “I don’t want to but we probably should because we have to get stuff for tour and start packing,” she said. “I don’t want to either but we need to get everything done before we leave. I figured that we could also get everything that the boys need to so they can relax for a couple days before we leave on Friday,” I said. “That sounds like a good idea. We’ll gather everyone up when we get home later and tell them to make a list of everything that they need,” she said. “Perfect. I kinda wanted to get Ash a present too,” I said. “Really? What are you getting him?” she asked. “I already ordered him a pair of drumsticks with a message written on them. On one it’ll say ‘Good luck on tour my love’ and the other will say ‘I love you to the moon and back. xx Jasey Rae’. I already called a place that does stuff like that. I placed the order and they’re ready to be picked up tomorrow,” I said and showed her a picture of the sticks on my phone. “Jase those are so cute! He’s gonna love them!” she said and hugged me. “I hope so. I hope he doesn’t break them either because if he does I’m gonna beat his ass with them,” I said and we both laughed. “Jase, I’m gonna tell Luke I love him tomorrow,” Maci told me. “What? Maci, that’s amazing! How are you gonna do it?” I asked. “I bought him a guitar pick that says ‘I love you. xx Maci’ on it,” she said. “Wow we think so much alike it’s kinda scary,” I said. “Yeah we do we should stop that,” she said and laughed. For the rest of rehearsal we listened to the boys play their hearts out in every song. Right before the last song, Luke started to say something into the microphone. “This last song is for two very special girls out in the audience. Thank you for supporting us in everything we do. We all love you. I love you. Ash, is there something you wish to say as well?” he asked and turned around to face Ashton. “Girls, thank you for being amazing. We love you. I love you. Keep being awesome. This song’s for you, it’s called She Looks So Perfect,” Ashton said and they boys started playing. Maci and I ran to the front as fast as we could and started dancing and singing in the pit. I looked up and locked eyes with Ash. I mouthed ‘I love you’ and he smiled and kept singing. When the song was finished, Maci and I climbed on stage. Maci ran into Luke’s arms and I climbed into Ashton’s lap. “You’re the sweetest. I love you so much,” I said and kissed him. “I knew you two would like that. I love you too. Now let’s get home, I’m exhausted,” he said and started breaking down his drum kit. A half hour later, we were back at the band house and Michael was already on the phone ordering pizza. We all sat on the couch and turned on the TV. “Guys Maci and I have an announcement,” I said and everyone looked at the two of us. “We decided that we’re gonna skip rehearsal tomorrow. We need to get things for the tour and we need to start packing because we take forever,” Maci said. “We also want you guys to make a list of everything that you need for tour so we can get everything tomorrow,” I said. “I’m guessing there’s no talking you out of not going to rehearsal?” Calum said. “No sorry Cal. We decided to do this so you guys don’t have to worry about anything until we leave on Friday. We want you to relax. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is packing,” I said. “You girls are literally the best people we’ve ever met,” Michael said. “It’s the least we can do for you guys. You’ve been amazing to us ever since we got here. We’re happy to do it,” Maci said. “Girls, thank you very much. We’ll all make our lists after dinner and you’ll have them tomorrow. I’m guessing we’ll have to drop you off at your flat tomorrow morning?” Ash said. “Yes babe. We’re gonna need my car and we have to pack,” I said and kissed him. “Sounds like a plan. Now, let’s eat and watch some TV I’m starving!” Luke said and everyone laughed. We finished dinner, the boys made their lists, and we continued to watch TV. “Alright, I think it’s time for bed. I can’t keep my eyes open any longer,” I said, got up, and pulled Ash with me. “Yeah you’re right. We’ve got another busy day tomorrow. Goodnight guys see you in the morning,” Michael said and everyone made their way to their rooms. Ash and I got ready for bed and cuddled underneath his blankets. “Goodnight beautiful, I love you so much,” Ash said and pulled me closer to him. “Goodnight my love, I love you more,” I said, kissed him, and we fell asleep.