Long Way Home

Chapter 19

About an hour after we get here, everyone but me, Luke, Harry, and Zayn go out to get food.

"Harry?" I softly call as I knock twice on his door. "Please open up."

"So you can laugh at me?" His voice is just as soft as mine. "Or worse, yell at me?"

I sigh. "No. Now open up before I break the God damn door."

I hear a slight laugh from the inside, and a click of the lock. "Come in."

"Thanks," I grumble. "I hope I'm not bothering you."

He rolls his eyes. "You are in fact."

Swatting his arm, I sit down on his bed and causally lean back on his pillow.

His room isn't messy, but isn't clean. It's filled with pictures of the boys, even I'm in two. His mum and sister are in a couple, his stepdad in one.

"I like your photos." I awkwardly says.

He gives me a nod and an awkward smile. "Yeah. I like them too."

"Why?" I blurt. "Why did you pull Niall away from me?"

He blushes. "I don't know. I just felt like I should. I knew Ashton would hate it, and I didn't like it that much either. Neither did the rest of 5SOS, I could tell by their faces."

"Why didn't you like it?" I ask, narrowing my eyes. "I'm 18, I can do whatever I want!"

He shrugs. "You're... You're like a sister to me. I don't want him to hurt you."

"Oh, like sweet little Niall could hurt me any worse then I can hurt him." I spit. "You're just jealous."

Harry rolls his eyes. "Maybe I am. But I don't think you should mess with him like that."

I feel my face heat. "I'm not messing with him! I seriously like him, okay?" my voice raises with every word. And why would you need to be jealous? You have girls falling at your feet, and I'm just...my voice lowers, Avery."

"But that's what makes you so amazing. You're just Avery, not some make up done bitch, and not one of my devoted fans. You're Avery Irwin."

I look away. "And that's why I want to be with Niall so much. He picked me over any other girl."

Harry smiled. "Why wouldn't he? You're amazing."

I blush. "Thank you."

He shrugs. "What can I say? You're beautiful."

"Okay Jealous boy, that's enough."

He blushes. "I knew you'd use that against me." He whines, crossing his arms and pouting.

I smile slightly, leaning forward and lightly kissing him. "There. But I'm basically with Niall, okay?"

Harry nods, giving me a forced grin.

"Bye Harry." I whisper, and walk out.

"Bye."

*

"Jason!" I called out. "Jason, wanna come over?" (Boy from chapter 10, 11)

The brown haired boy jogged over to me, a smile spreading across his face. "My place or your's?"

"Mine. My mum and younger siblings are out tonight."

He grins. "What time should I come over, and what movies are we watching?"

I smile at how well the boy knows me. "I don't know, whatever we find on Netflix. And come at 5."

He keeps grinning. "Should I stay over?"

I blush, even though nothing intimate is between us, no matter how bad I want it. "Yeah."

And he waves bye and runs off, towards his house. (We live down the block from each other.)

*
(Continued)

A knock of the door signals Jason is here. Quickly fixing my wavy hair, I make sure my shirt looks fine. It's a white slightly cropped tank top, with a light gray cardigan. I have my all black converse, (I got those as a birthday present from Luke), and faded ripped jeans. (Outfit on the side.) I smile at my reflection and turn towards the door.

"Come in!" I yelled.

"HELLOO- you look great Avery." He says suddenly, shooting me a wink. I blush.

"Thanks. I was thinking we could go on a walk? Then get some dinner and could come back, change into our PJ's and watch movies all night while eating sweets?"

He nods his head quickly. "Sounds amazing love."

I grin, and slip on my all black converse. "Let's go."

About an hour later we return. Quickly, we change and rent the first three Harry Potter movies.

Just as we begin the second one, I hear a slam of a door and Ashton's voice.

"Aves? I'm here!" He calls. I spring up from the couch, my food flying to the floor.

I had turned 16 about two months ago, Ashton was out on tour.

"Ashton!" I cry out. As he round the corner, a bright smile is on his face, but drops as he see's Jason.

"What is he doing here?" Ashton asks, somewhat bitterly. Behind him, stand the rest of 5SOS.

A weird look comes across Michael and Calum's face, almost anger. Luke looks hurt, no matter how hard he tries to hide it. And I know he is.

Jason slowly stands up, eyes wide. "I'm sorry Ashton. We weren't doing anything, I swear. I'm not that kind of guy."

Ashton rolls his eyes, crossing his arms and let's out a huff of annoyance. He opens his mouth, ready to speak, but I cut him off before he could do so.

"He's a great guy Ash. Mum knows he's here anyway." I say. "She loves Jason."

I look over at Jason and smile, and he gives me a slight smile back.

"Whatever," Ashton groans. "But if you hurt my sister in anyway, I swear to god I'll ruin you."

*

What a liar. He never did end up protecting me.

You can't protect someone when you're gone.

Tears start to form in my eyes. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself not to cry.

He does not deserve any more of my tears.

"Avery, we're back!" I hear Liam call to me.

"Okay, be right there!" I yell back.

Checking once in the mirror to make sure I look fine, and not like I was about sob, I rush down the steps,

And straight into Niall.