Promise ( 2025 Updated version )

Chapter 8 - Australia?

~Katie’s POV~

After Ashton and I got back to tell everyone what happened, they had already heard. Apparently, Caitlin and Harry had overheard us and then proceeded to tell everyone else. Assholes.

Flashback

~Caitlin’s POV~

After Katie left, Ashton ran after her, which made me grab Harry and walk closely behind them—not far enough away so they wouldn’t notice us.

“Look, I can’t do this, Ashton… pretend that we’re just friends,” I think I heard Katie say, but I couldn’t quite hear them over the waves and wind. A few minutes later, I heard Ashton say,

“I love you too,”

Then they kissed, said something else, and walked off.

“Holy shit,” I heard Harry say.

“Did they just—” I started.

“I think they did,” he replied.

“Well, the smart thing to do is wait for them to come back and tell us, right?”

“Yeah.”

“But are we gonna make that choice?”

“No.”

After that, we ran back to the others.

“Katie and Ashton! Katie and Ashton! Katie and Ashton!” we both said, out of breath.

“Katie and Ashton… what?” Jonah asked.

“They kissed,” Harry said.

“YES, FINALLY!” everyone cheered, and I laughed. After waiting for Katie and Ashton to get back, they finally arrived. We congratulated them. Luke and Calum gave Ashton the brother/dad talk; Harry and I gave him the best friend talk.

End of flashback

~Katie’s POV~

When we all got back to the house, we were exhausted, so we went to bed. This time, Calum and Danica had one room, Harry and Caitlin another, and me and Ashton had the last. We told Luke he could sleep in the bed, but he ran for the couch—and let’s just say it was a good thing he did…

The next day, we spent the whole day watching movies and hanging out. Now we were getting ready to go out to dinner. Harry suggested a double date, so while Caitlin and I got ready, the boys were figuring out a place to eat.

I didn’t bring a dress, so I wore white skinny jeans and a grey Rolling Stones T-shirt, hair curled and a little makeup. Caitlin had medium-wash jean shorts and a black cropped tank top.

“You know what we should do?” she asked.

“Hm?” I said.

“Put on red lipstick and kiss their cheeks without telling them.”

“Yes! Let’s do it.”

We changed lipstick and went downstairs.

“Ready?” Harry asked.

“Yep,” Caitlin said, taking his hand and kissing his cheek. Ashton took mine, and I kissed him back. The lipstick didn’t last long, but the moment was cute.

At the restaurant, Ashton rested his head on my shoulder.

“What's up?” I said, kissing the top of his head.

“Nothing… just tired,” he murmured.

After dinner, we walked on the beach as the sun set. Ashton tried to throw me in the water but failed; later, Harry succeeded, and soon everyone was in the waves.

~Harry’s POV~

Watching Katie and Ashton made me so happy. Katie had become like a sister to me, and seeing her smile like that was everything. Ashton would run up behind her, tickling her sides, and her laughter was infectious.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?” I asked Ashton.

“Yeah… I think I am,” he said, eyes locked on her, like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

“You know she has a lot of people looking after her now, right?”

“Yeah, but I won’t hurt her. It’s not about fear… Caitlin will murder me if I do,” he said, and we both laughed.

Back at the car, Katie and Ashton sat in front, Ashton driving. It was 11 p.m., and he placed his hand on my sister’s knee. He seemed anxious, but I didn’t push.

Later, Ashton’s phone rang—it was his mom with devastating news about Harry. He broke down, and I could see how much he needed Katie by his side.

~Katie’s POV~

I held Ashton close in the back of the car, letting him cry into my chest. He asked me to come with him to Australia—he couldn’t face it alone.

“Yes, I’ll go with you. I won’t let you go alone,” I said, rubbing his back.

We packed quickly and left for the airport around midnight, stopping for coffee and food. Ashton slept on my shoulder during the flight.

When we arrived in Australia, we headed straight to the hospital. Ashton’s mom, Anne, greeted us warmly, and I could see the fear and sadness in Ashton’s eyes.

~Hospital POVs~

We waited an agonizing hour as surgeons worked on Harry. Ashton clung to me, trembling, terrified of losing his brother. I reassured him, kissed him, held him close.

When the surgery was over, the doctors came in. The news was devastating—Harry had fallen into a coma and wasn’t expected to wake up. Ashton collapsed to the floor; I held him, whispering that I wouldn’t leave him, that we’d face it together.

We went into Harry’s room together. Ashton sat on my lap, holding Harry’s hand, talking through tears. I rubbed his back, kissed his head, whispered “I love you” over and over. He told Harry goodbye, and we stayed together, holding onto each other as the world felt like it was ending.

Even after it was over, we stayed like that—Ashton’s head on my shoulder, my arms wrapped around him, sharing small comforts: soft kisses, whispers, hand squeezes. He needed me, and I wasn’t going anywhere.

... im...sorry?

hehe 

Sorry from mistakes im too lazy