Silence can indeed be deafening. The silence that fell over the Hood’s kitchen proved that for sure. Calum and I stood side by side waiting for someone to say something but I think the others were waiting for the same thing. They are all so stubborn I guess I’ll have to be the first to say something.
“What is the emergency band meeting for?” I looked to Luke then to Michael and finally to Ashton who still had his strong arms crossed across his chest. His biceps were so hot…and now was not the time to think about Ashton’s muscular arms, the boys were mad.
“Oh like the two of you don’t know.” Luke scoffed. I looked up to Calum who just rolled his eyes at his bandmates.
“Jesus guys, seriously? Ugh damn my mum for letting you bastards in.” Calum was now shrugging off his coat and hanging it up on the hooks on the wall.
“Did you guys fuck?” Michael’s voice was so casual. My eyes grew wide and I wanted to look anywhere but the four other people in the room.
“No Michael we didn’t as if it’s any of your business anyway.” Hello I'm still in the room here guys. This conversation just got extremely awkward really fast.
“Are you guys dating?” this time it was Luke asking the question.
“So what if we are.” Shit Calum don’t lie to them.
“So you are? What the hell Calum you couldn’t tell us?” Ashton looked more hurt than angry.
“Yeah you dick!” Luke stood up from his seat now, fixing the hair under his beanie, his expression matched Ashton’s.
“We aren’t dating okay? I'm not dating Calum or Ashton or Luke or Michael! We are all just really good friends damn it!” I shouted at the four boys. Their heads all snapped in my direction, eyes wide. “I’m sorry I yelled okay, the last thing I want to do is wake up Cal’s parents but you guys are seriously pissing me off right now.”
They all muttered ‘sorry’ and I took that as a signal to continue. I needed to address the elephant in the room and quickly before it became a whole damn herd of elephants.
“Look guys, I said I wanted to get to know you all a little better this summer and that’s what I want. But I want to get to know you guys as just friends. I'm not trying to be a bitch and friend zone all of you at once, but I refuse to have you guys fighting over me.” it was hard for me to believe that it was even possible for them to like me enough to fight over me anyway but whatever.
“The lads and I were talking earlier and we think that it would be best if we all got the chance to know you. Like we all get equal time with you and try not to push our feelings on you.” Ashton reasoned with a very valid point.
“I agree with that. I enjoy being around all four of you as a group and individually so I think that is a good plan. Cal I had an amazing time tonight, and I would love to do it again just in a little more friendly way.” Calum smiled at me, defeated but understanding because we had already discussed this.
“We want you to stay with us all for a week at a time, and for that week you spend time with the lad you are staying with? Make sense?” Michael eyes scanned around the room to see if everyone was following.
“I'm not some sort of pawn though; I want to be thought of as a friend not a prize to be won. Got it?” all the boys nodded at me. “So this will start after tour with the month and a half we have left. Luke I won’t forget about our bucket list.”
“Actually about that, I told the guys and we agreed to make it a band bucket list if that’s okay?” Luke looked at me like I would explode but actually that idea excited me even more.
“Deal, wait how are we deciding who I stay with?” all four boys were smirking back at me.
“We do what 5sos does best, we play for it.” Michael winked at me.
Whew glad that was all over with.
….
Tour was over, which was sad but I still had plenty of time with the boys. It was barely into June now and I had just learned I didn’t have to be back for college until the first week of September so yet again, my stay was extended. My mom kept me updated on the info for my schooling and we were able to get things situated.
After a grueling game of darts, Ashton wiped the floor with the other boys which meant I was staying at the Irwin household for the first week, well two weeks. Since I was staying longer, each boy got me for two weeks. We were almost to Ash’s house and I was getting really nervous. What if his family hated me?
Great, Hadlee would you quit?
We pulled up to the curb, Ashton hopping out without hesitation. We pulled our luggage from the trunk of the taxi and made our way up the walkway. Ashton’s house was two stories and matched the rest of the houses on the street. It reminded me of my own house strangely enough. Ashton pushed the door open without knocking and led me into his home. Something smelt amazing coming from the kitchen and the house seemed warm with comfort.
“Mum! We’re home!” Ashton’s accent called through the house.
A beautiful woman with short blonde hair and a “kiss the cook” apron came into the hallway to greet Ashton and I. she smiled deeply revealing the same dimples that Ashton had and her eyes were almost the same color. So far three out of the four in the band looked like their mothers. I laughed softly to myself.
“Ashton baby I'm so glad to finally have you home.” She wrapped the much taller boy into a bear hug and squeezed him tightly. “I missed you so much.” You could tell she was trying not to cry.
“I missed you too mummy.” Ashton seemed like he was five years old around his mom and it was adorable to watch.
I missed my own mom and seeing Mrs. Irwin so emotional nearly made tears swell in my eyes. It was so crazy that these boys would just up and leave their families to go out on the road to make music for fans like me. It made me feel even more grateful that they were able to do that.
“This must be Hadlee. Oh Ash she’s even more gorgeous than you explained.” The woman hugged me firmly and I watched as Ashton’s cheeks blushed. “I'm Anne Marie but you can call me Anne or Mama Irwin like the boys do. Make yourself at home dear.” I couldn’t help but feel happy around Ashton’s mom.
“Thank you” I looked over to Ashton who still had flushed cheeks.
“Are you guys hungry? I just finished dinner. Harry, Lauren your brother is home!” she yelled up the staircase and two kids came running down to pounce on their older sibling.
All three of them giggled in unison and I stood awkwardly near the door. It was cute to see how much Harry and Lauren admired their brother and missed him while he was away.
“Guys this is Hadlee.” Ashton moved over to stand by me and he put his hand on my shoulder. “This is my little brother Harry and my sister Lauren.” I waved at the two little Irwin’s and they both said hi to me before they scurried off to the kitchen table.
“Well welcome to the Irwin home.” Ashton gestured to the home and led me into the kitchen for another family dinner that wasn’t my own.
….
“I’m sorry we don’t have an extra room for you Hads. You can take my futon or the bed whichever you want.” We made our way up to Ashton’s room and it was much bigger than I imagined it.
The walls were brick and it had a large window with a view of the street below and the city off into the distance. There were a few posters on his walls of random bands and one of One Direction which made me laugh to myself. Oh how awkward it would be for the guys so see my room, posters of them all over the place. There was a small computer desk, a futon and a large bed in his room along with a small stereo in the corner.
“Love your room Ash.” I smiled at the older boy. Ashton flopped onto his bed with a sigh and gestured for me to lie down next to him.
“So what are we going to do tomorrow Hads?” Ashton rolled his head to the side to look me in the eye.
“What do you wanna do Ash?” I yawned.
“How about we make breakfast in the morning and then pick something off the list?” he suggested before he yawned himself.
“Sounds good.” I moved my body closer to Ashton’s and closed my eyes.
“So it looks like you are gonna take the bed then?” Ashton chuckled softly.
“Mmm.” My eyes were already drooping with sleep and before I knew it I was sound asleep.
Just like the many nights before I woke up hot, way too hot. I was sweating like crazy, hot tears running down my cheeks and I struggled to breathe. I was on Ashton’s bed in the clothes I fell asleep in; he must have tucked me in before crashing on his futon. Thunder crashed against the earth making me scream, waking Ashton in an instant. I started shaking, feeling the mattress dip next to me. Ashton’s hand touched my forearm and I sucked in a huge breath, jumping away from his touch. I sobbed hard as his body crashed against mine; his hands were stroking my hair and back. I was crying hard into Ashton’s chest still shaking and fighting hard to breathe.
“Shhh, Hadlee what’s wrong? What happened?” Ash’s voice was laced with fear.
“H-He, he hit me, again.” My voice was shaking so bad I was surprised I had even made words.
“Who hit you?” I could practically feel how uneasy Ashton was.
“Andrew.” I sobbed hard at his name, reliving my nightmare.
“Is that your ex?” how did he know that? Luke probably mentioned it.” Oh Hads is that why you are so scared to open up to us?” he was starting to put the pieces together. I couldn’t speak I just cried, whimpering in Ashton’s firm hold. “It’s okay I'm here now.”
My eyes were screwed shut, I didn’t wanna see the pity I was sure Ashton’s face held. Too many people gave me that look. I guess I would have to tell Ash the truth tomorrow, but for now I wanted to go back to sleep. I was terrified to open up again but I knew deep in my heart that Ashton would be comforting. I didn’t want to be alone right now.
“Stay with me.” my fingers wrapped around Ashton’s shirt begging him not to leave me alone.
Without another word Ashton laid us both back on the pillows and pulled the covers over our bodies. A small kiss was pressed against my temple before I started to drift to sleep. Ashton’s arms were wrapped tight around my waist, hugging me close to him. His long fingers raked their way through my hair as he hummed a soft melody. My tears and shaking stopped after a little while and I relaxed. He must have been the safety I needed because I was able to sleep through the rest of the night.
>>>>>
sorry this chapter is so lame...
Hope it wasnt too bad