AFRAID {a.i.}

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Song of the Chapter: Made In The USA - Demi Lovato.

People cheered the band on and I pulled myself up onto my feet. I approached Ashton quickly. I eventually ran and he spun me around. I squeezed him tight. His drumsticks dropped to the ground as he pulled me into the corner, out of everyone's view.

"Ashton. You're here!" I jumped up and down in happiness. I was immediately reminded of my first time in this pub. Ashton forcefully pressed his lips against mine and I happily returned the favour.

"Fuck I've waited too long to do that. Remind me to never do that sort of thing again." Ashton referred to his plan and I nodded.

"You were incredible and I seen you named the band. 5 Seconds of Summer. I like it." I smirked and he chuckled, playing with my hair.

"You see I've been meaning to tell you." Ashton began. I looked at him, humming in response. Ashton smiled and I bit my lip.. "Me and you, we are different, you know, and when I'm with you I just feel-"

"And up first singing HALO we have local Ms Brooklyn Montez." My heart dropped. Who put halo down as my song? Ashton cheered and pushed me up on stage. He ran and sat with the rest of the group. I stood on stage silent. I couldn't sing this. Not without my mum. I stayed still. "Brooke... Sing." John whisper shouted and I shook my head. Ashton stood up once again, approaching me. 'You can do it Brooke' I pressed start on the karaoke thing and the music started. Ashton stopped and kept his eyes on me.

"Remember those walls I built? Well baby, they're tumbling down. And they didn't even put up a fight, they didn't even make a sound." My voice just controlled me and Ashton's mouth dropped, as did everyone else's, beside John and Brad, who smiled.

"Keep going." Ashton whispered.

"I found a way to let you in, but I never really had a doubt. Standing in the light of your halo, I got my angel now." I closed my eyes and there she was. Singing with me. I continued singing, feeling her with me. It was different to the first. She was free. Out of pain. Happier. I smiled and sang harder, louder, with more passion. It was weird, but satisfying. I wanted to smile more, but cry as well. I finally felt as if my mother was with me. Like she never left. My gran was right. I needed to do this. When the song finished everyone cheered and I stood, shell shocked. Ashton grabbed my waist and pulled me off stage spinning me around. In a sudden stop he looked at me.

"Be my girlfriend, Brooklyn Ava?" I slipped down to my feet, but still carefully locked in his arms.

"What?" I laughed and he smiled intensely.

"Be mine?" Ashton looked at me and I felt all eyes on me, even if they weren't. My heart wanted me to say yes but I was afraid, afraid of the consequences of the relationship.

"Well it looks like 5 seconds of summer aren't the only ones we want to sign to our label." I turned, falling out of Ashton's arms. Ashton stepped beside me in shock. He was getting signed.

"Wait what do you mean?" Ashton cheerfully replied. I wasn't sure how or why this was going on.

"This record label would not only like to sign the band, but also you, Miss Montez." The man in the suit smiled and I stepped back.

"Brooke, this is amazing, we-" I put my hand on Ashton's shoulder and shook my head.

"I'm sorry, sir, I don't think that's quite right for me as a person." I declined his offer and Ashton looked at me like I was an idiot.

"Miss Montez, I respect your reply. Here is our card. If you change your mind, please give us a call. Although, I don't think this will be the last we will be seeing of you." The man handed me his card and approached the rest of the band who cheered in excitement. I put the card in my pocket and turned to Ashton.

"Brooke. This was your dream." Ashton sighed, saddened by my decision. I took his hands in mine and shrugged.

"But it's yours too. And I don't want that to get in your way. Singing and performing is your life. It's just a hobby for me. I've only just gained it back. I refuse to take that opportunity and steal your spotlight Ashton." I replied. Ashton looked at me and tried to smile. "Besides, the salary isn't enough." Ashton broke out into laughter on that one. As did I.

"You're truly something else. But serious Brooke, you are incredible. This should happen for you." Ashton pointed to the business man. I smiled.

"Maybe one day but it's your turn first." I started, "And I'm here for every step of the way."

"I'll meet you at the finish line." He joked and I remembered his previous question. I looked at our hands and then back at the group of excited people behind us.

"Let's get out of here, me and you." I considered and he nodded, quietly pushing past everyone, to get to the back entrance. We ran out and greeted ourself with the fresh air. The pub was along the side of the beach so we didn't walk for long until we reached the sand. We walked slowly, admiring the views.

"Brooke, can I finish what we started in the pub?" Ashton pulled me to a hold and I nodded.

"As long as you mean it." I bit my lip. He sighed.

"Brooklyn Ava Montez, every time my eyes land on yours I feel better. I feel like the real Ashton. You have brought out everything in me I tried to avoid. But I don't care. Because I want you all to myself. Simply because Brooke... I love the way you smile, the way your leg shakes when you're nervous, the way you bite your lip in situations like this, the way you know the answer to everything, the way you make me jealous, the way you make me feel. Because fuck Brooke, I fucking love you so much it hurts. I want to wake up by your side every morning. And I know you're scared so am I, but who cares about fears anymore. I've got you. You've got me. And what I'm trying to say is..... I want you to be my girlfriend Ava?" As cliché as it was, it was perfect. I nodded and in that precise moment...

I became Ashton Irwin's girlfriend.

Update: I WILL BE UPDATING EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR 300. IT MEANS SO MUCH. - Becki x