Troubled Souls // 5SOS

XX ∞ Stars

• Jade •

Another week and another therapy session have gone by. Sophie finally moved Luke's chair out of our circle, but now it's just sitting all alone in the corner, separated from the rest of the chairs. I don't really think it's much better.

I pull up to the curb next to Ashton's apartment complex just as the sun starts dipping below the horizon. I wonder if he's out on his fire escape watching the sunset again. It's a pretty nice night, so I guess that's where I'd be if I were him.

I pull open the door and head into the empty lobby. There isn't even anyone at the front desk, but I've been here before and I know all I have to do is press a button to turn on the intercom and let him know I'm downstairs.

I find the number of the Irwins' apartment on the panel and jam the button down, hearing the intercom crackling to life as soon as I do.

"Hello?" I hear Ashton's voice ask, muffled a bit by the old intercom speaker.

"Ash, it's me," I reply.

He giggles before asking, "Me who?"

"It's Jade, you doorknob, let me in."

"Not until you change that attitude!"

I groan in frustration and he giggles once again before replying, "Hold on, I'll come down there and get you."

"Ashton, you don't have to — " I try to say, but it's too late. I step away from the intercom panel and wait.

Before long, the elevator dings and Ashton appears, wearing a dark grey t-shirt with long sleeves along with his usual black skinny jeans and his black beanie. He did not, however, take the time to put shoes on before he came down to get me.

He grins widely when he sees me, rushing over to embrace me and twirl me around in the air before setting me down and kissing me on the cheek.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" I ask as he pulls away, grabbing both of my hands in his and playing with my fingers.

He shrugs. "I don't know, to be honest," he answers. "I mean, you're here and it's a nice night. Why shouldn't I be in a good mood?"

I can certainly think of a few reasons, but I don't want to be the one to pop his bubble of happiness, so I just go along with it.

"C'mon, let's go upstairs," he says, and before I can reply, he's pulling me along to the stairwell.

After we've gone up a couple flights, I'm beginning to get out of breath. I stop on a landing and lean against the wall, breathing heavily. Ashton, who's halfway up the next flight, stops and turns around, looking at me in confusion. "What's wrong, babe?" he asks with a small grin.

"Why the hell are we taking the stairs?" I ask in reply. "I'm painfully out of shape."

"Well, I mean, I didn't want to ruin the surprise, but we're not actually going back to my apartment," he answers.

"Then where are we going?"

"You'll see. Come on!"

"Ashton ... " I groan, but he's already on his way upward. I take a deep breath and trudge on after him.

Six more flights and we're in front of a rusty door. I look from Ashton to the door and then back at Ashton. "Ash, what the hell?" I finally ask.

He rolls his eyes playfully and opens the door, letting in a warm breeze. I finally put two and two together.