~Emma's POV~
"That was amazing!" Ashton exclaimed.
"Thanks," CeCe replied as we sat all down on the sand and Michael walked over to the small charcoal grill.
"What 'cha making over there?" I asked.
"Ugh, grilled shrimp with different marinades, crab, lobster, oysters, grilled asparagus, corn, and some pineapple," he answered.
"Oh my god, I am officially in Australia," we all laughed.
"So, after we eat, I say we take this road up about twenty miles to this little cove we found awhile ago," Calum said.
"Yeah, bring your sweatshirts though, once the sun goes down its gonna get cold on the ocean," Ashton said.
"I'm sorry I'm late! Got held up at the office," a girl with perfect blonde hair and brown eyes said.
"Kaitlyn, you made it!" Luke yelled, running over to the girl and spinning her.
"Yeah, I did, dumbass!" She laughed as he put her back down.
He was so in love.
"This is Emma and CeCe! You already know Emily," Luke said, bringing the girl over.
She set her guitar on the sand and hugged Emily.
"Hi! I'm Kaitlyn," she said, hugging CeCe and I.
We introduced ourselves and sat back down, only to be interrupted by Michael yelling, "Foods done!"
We all walked over to the small charcoal grill and table with silverware and plates. We each grabbed a paper plate and began piling our plates high with the different food. I put some asparagus, pineapple, shrimp, and crab on my plate, and returned to a place in the sand, where Ashton and Calum had a fire going.
We all sat around the small fire going, eating the wonderful food Michael grilled. People began telling stories and jokes, everyone busting out in laughter.
"Hey guys, it's 8. Wanna head up to the cove?" Calum asked.
"Yeah, who are we going with?" Emily asked.
"Me, Emily, and Kaitlyn are in Luke's car. Ashton, CeCe, and Emma in Michael's car. Lets go!" Calum said, getting everyone up.
Everyone grabbed their guitars and Ashton picked up his Cajun, showing CeCe another one. We put it in the trunks of both cars and got into the seats. I got in the passenger seat of Michael's car and we began driving to this cove that they were talking about.
"What station?" Michael asked.
"I don't care," Everyone else answered.
Michael began searching through the stations, one hand still on the wheel. Suddenly, I heard my cousins voice over the radio and I slapped Michael's hand away, intently listening.
"So, Niall, can you tell us more about finding your opening acts?"
"Well, this year, we really want to have a musician that is undiscovered and genuine. Right now, we are looking at some YouTube bands and praying we find a good one. Also, we are thinking about doing two acts this tour, instead of one," Niall said.
"Our management decided we would find the acts by voting. On Instagram, you can post a picture of them and tag it #onedirectionsopeningact. On twitter, use the same hashtag and tweet the band name. Whatever two bands have the most votes will win. Voting closes February 1st," Zayn said.
"The two bands that win will be meeting us in London on February 7th, and will reside there until the tour begins," Harry said.
"So, vote for your favourite YouTube band and they may just go on the Take Me Home tour!" Liam yelled.
"Vote as much as you want and tell your friends to vote! Voting starts tonight at midnight! Every vote counts!" Louis yelled.
"You heard them, vote for your favourite YouTube band!" Then, an unfamiliar song began playing.
"What of you guys get voted in?" I asked.
"That's would be amazing! But, that's we would be loving you guys back here and there is another act," Michael said.
"Why don't you guys compete?" Ashton asked.
"I don't know, we would need another guitarist and lead singer," CeCe said.
"Ya now, Kaitlyn sings and plays guitar. She wouldn't be a lead guitarist, but backing," Michael said.
"But, we don't even know her!" I said.
"Just ask her, that's what happened with me. I was asked to join 5SOS over a Facebook comment from Luke," Ashton shrugged.
"I'll ask her," CeCe shrugged.
"But, there is no way we will win. We haven't been a band long enough," I sighed.
"We're here!" Michael called, turning the car off.
We all filed out of the car and onto the beach, where no one else was.
"How is no one here?" I asked, while walking to the trunk to get my guitar.
"Luke's uncle owns this small piece of beach; his restaurant is located just down there over the dunes. One day we just came looking around the property and found this," Michael said.
I smiled at him while carrying my guitar over to where everyone was setting up towels and sitting. Soon, everyone was on towel holding there instruments. Six guitars, two Cajun drums, and some fireworks.
Everyone who had a guitar took turns playing a song they wanted and everyone soon joined in with them. After we went around the circle twice, the ocean breeze began blowing, making us all slightly shiver. Everyone put on their sweatshirts and I was still shaking.
"Emma, you still cold?" Michael asked.
"A bit," I admitted.
"Here," he brought a blanket over to me and draped it across my shoulders.
"Thanks," I mumbled, wrapping it tighter around me.
He sat back down next to me and I store out at the ocean, the moon radiating off of the rippling water. The soft crashing of waves and the ocean breeze stimulating my senses.
"Who's wants to go for a swim?" Calum suggested.
"Sure!" Nearly everyone replied.
Everyone except me.
"Won't it be freezing?" I asked.
"Nah, it's still pretty warm," Ashton said.
They all stood up and stripped down to their bathing suits, running into the vast ocean.
"You coming?" Michael asked, standing in front of me.
"I might just stay here," I said.
"Why?" He sat down in the sand next to me.
"I guess, I'm just not really comfortable with being nearly naked in front of people," I lied.
"Is that really the reason?" Michael stared into my eyes.
"No," I mumbled after a moment of silence.
I then lowered my eyes from his, "Honestly, I think I'm not pretty enough. No, I'm not like anorexic or bullied. I just feel like I'm not good enough, to be out like that."
"So, that doesn't mean anything. Everyone is beautiful in their own way," He lifted my eyes to meet his.
"But, I mean I don't have a thigh gap. I have curves, stretch marks, and scars. I've got a lot of those," I sighed.
"Who cares? Look at me, I have acne on my chest. Yeah, it can be annoying a d embarrassing. But, if I didn't have it, I wouldn't be the way I am now," he said.
"But..." I started.
"C'mon," he held out his hand for me.
I gingerly placed my hand in his own and he gently helped me up. I slowly unbuttoned my shirt, still undecided. When, the shirt dropped, Michael's jaw slightly did too.
"What?" I blushed, wrapping my arms around me.
"I don't mean to sound pervy, but you're honestly beautiful," he spoke.
"Thank you," I murmured, unbuttoning my jean shorts.
I dropped all my clothes on to the sand and immediately began shivering. I pulled out of my shorts pockets a plastic covering called the Aqua Accessory, which allowed me to swim with my Cochlear. I fixed everything correctly and then nodded my head, signalling I was ready.
"On the count of three, run. Ready? 1-2-3!"