Breathless // lp

Chapter 14.

 Ash approached the house cautiously, dragging the moment out for as long as she could. Harry and Liam had passed her several times, grocery bags hanging from their arms as they disappeared into the house and coming back out to get more. 

But Ash just stood there, rubbing the goosebumps away from her arms. Sure, Liam's pullover hoodie warmed her enough to keep from shaking, but the fuzzy material didn't stop the biting cold wind from nipping at her face and hands. Her fiery red hair was pulled back into a ponytail, loose strands falling down to frame her face. 

It wasn't until Liam came back from the last trip inside to call her inside did Ash force herself to move. She ran towards him and didn't stop until she was in his embrace. 

"Liam," She whimpered, wrapping her arms around his seemingly endless torso. Liam giggled and pulled her close, ruffling her hair with his free hand. 

"Ash, what's up with you?" He chuckled as he stumbled back a bit from leaning too far. Ash looked up from his chest and smiled. 

"I love you, Liam." The smile slowly fell from Liam's face as she said the words so calmly and sweetly, as if it was just an everyday thing. He stared at her with admiring eyes until she buried her face into his chest again, sighing deeply. After the long embrace, Ash finally slipped away with a small peck to Liam's lips and scurried inside the house. 

Liam watched her go, the groceries precariously dangling from his left hand's fingers. A smile spread on his face, and it was then he realised just how beautiful this girl was.

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"So wait what am I supposed to do - like that?" 

"No, no look here-" 

"WAIT! I think I got it - AHH! Liam!"

Ash's mouth dropped open as she stared at Liam with wide eyes. Flour was sprinkled through her hair and now powdered over her face, making her look like a ghost. Liam started to giggle uncontrollably, grabbing a fistful of flour from the bag quickly and retreating from the kitchen before Ash could get him back. 

Ash scowled. There goes the plans for Harry's birthday cake. They'd originally tried to make a cake for his birthday, as it was tomorrow. He'd already left with Louis, probably at some bar hitting up some girl. 

But now that plan had flown out the window as Ash grabbed the bag of flour set upon the chocolate smeared counter and grabbed a fistful. 

"Oh Liam," She singsonged, a helpless smile curling on her lips as she snuck towards the living room. "Where art thou?"

It was surprisingly quiet, making Ash wonder if he had actually hidden and how he had managed to stifle his cute little giggles. As she was about to run towards his bedroom, a hand wrapped around her and slammed something powdery onto her face. She let out a cry in surprise, and staggered backwards as she hit something that was undoubtedly Liam due to the deep throaty cackles that came from him. 

Pursing her lips, Ash spun on her heel and threw her fistful of flour into Liam's face before bolting down the hallway, ignoring the cramp that formed in her left side. The sound of chasing footsteps made her giggle wildly and widen her eyes, encouraging her to run even faster. Finally she reached her room and slammed the door before Liam could get to it, managing to fumble with the lock until the door was secured. 

"You're gonna pay for that missy!" Liam's playful tone made Ash giggle, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle the obvious laughter.

"Bring it!" She taunted. Footsteps retreated from the hallway and soon disappeared leaving it deathly quiet. Ash turned around and wiped some of the flour from her eyes to see better. Her breath hitched almost immediately. The window was left open, the soft blue curtains swishing away from the windowsill as the wind played with it. Goosebumps trailing up her arms, Ash scurried towards it and shut the window before anymore cold could seep in.