Lost Without Them (Ashton Irwin Story)

Let The Fun Begin

Storms POV

After our little cuddle fest, I run up to my room to change. It's not until I see myself in my full-length mirror located in the corner of my room that it dawns on me that Michael doesn't know a lot about me anymore.

I mean, the last time Mikey even saw me I wore figure-hugging clothes and dresses. I never wore make-up then and I did not own a single item in any dark colour. Everything was bright, happy. Now, the only clothes I have that are remotely figure-hugging are my skinny jeans. You could never get me into a dress (for more than one reason). I now wear make-up to cover my imperfections, which are everywhere but make-up is expensive so I only cover the obvious ones and outline my eyes. My wardrobe... well that's something else. The colour scheme is basically black and grey. There is not a single bright colour, just the colours that represent how I have felt for a while, all so dark.

So much has changed. What am I meant to tell Mikey if he asks?

Here I am kitted out in black skinny jeans, an All Time Low shirt and a dark grey hooded top, sleeves pulled down over my hands so that I basically have sweater paws. He is expecting colour, I know he is, not this – all dark and depressing. I understand that he dresses the same, but he is a guy, it's not the same.

Now he will see just how disgusting you are, how much of a disappointment to the family you are and how perfect things would be without you around to get in the way.

As much as I hate those thoughts, I can sometimes understand them too. It's true most of the time – things would be better without me.

I take a deep breath before making the descent down the stairs, steeling myself against the judgmental looks I am sure I am about to get. I keep my eyes focused on my feet and my hands hidden in my sleeves the whole time. As I enter the living room, I notice that Michael and Calum are engaged in what looks like a game of Fifa. They haven't noticed my presence yet so I use this to my advantage.

"If you don't stop nudging me, I swear to all things holy that I will kick your ass around this living room," Michael exclaims as they continue to shoulder barge each other as a tactic to put the other off their game.

I lean my head forward slightly so that it is right between them, wincing at the volume of their voices from this position.

"Well, I wouldn't have to if you didn't cheat in the first place," Calum mumbles, not noticing my proximity either.

"That's not very nice, boys. Play nicely." I whisper in a low voice, making them both jump.

Calum flips around quickly and sees me straight away, whereas Michael falls off the sofa screaming; honestly sounding like a little girl. I can't hold my laughter in for very long before I end up having to use the sofa to support myself as I laugh. I can even hear mum laughing in the kitchen, obviously hearing what had happened or at least Michael's oh-so-manly scream.

"You scared the shit out of me, you little bugger," Michael shouts from his place on the floor, still recovering from his fright, apparently.

"Michael Gordon Clifford, watch your language!" Mum shouts in response to his foul language, which makes Calum and I laugh again. I can smell something cooking so I already know what she is doing.

"Sorry," Michael mumbles, looking guilty for having forgotten the rules of the house.

Calum, who has just about got his giggles under control, speaks up again.

"Is it weird that I missed stuff like that happening? I mean, I know us boys do it to each other all the time but it seems so much more... I don't know, funnier and more fun when Storm is the one behind it."

"Yeah, that's weird but I think we all missed it." I voice answers from behind me.

I turn quickly, spotting Ashton in the doorway. I can hear the front door closing, signalling that Luke is not far behind.

"Ash!" I shout, running towards him. He catches me when I jump, holding me tightly to him as I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. Usually, I hate being picked up but right now, with Ash, I could not care less.

"Hey, how come I didn't get a welcome like that? Am I not good enough for you anymore?" I head Calum whine in the background. I just giggle into Ashton's shoulder, making no attempt to move just yet.

"Me either, apparently." A new voice comments. I slowly leave Ashton's arms, smiling happily and turn to the owner of the voice.

"Holy shit..." I mumble when I pretty much come face-to-face with his chest. I step back a bit, pretending the height difference is a lot more than it really is. "Yeah... no. I can't jump that high." I joke, making all of the guys laugh.

Mum chooses that moment to enter the living room where we all seem to have congregated.

"Michael, Storm, your father and I are going out for the night. There is food for you guys in the kitchen. You know the rules and please don't make a mess or you're going to be cleaning it all up in the morning. Behave yourselves, have a good sleepover and we will be back by lunchtime tomorrow." My mum reels off her speech as she puts on her coat and dad comes down the stairs, ready to go.

"See you tomorrow, guys." He says as he leaves.

Now that they're gone, it's just us.

"What are your plans?" Luke asks.

"Well, mum was cooking us pizza. We will bring that and our drinks in here and start up a move. Then we will clean up and go from there. Does that sound alright?"

"Sounds good to me," Calum speaks as he gets up to help Michael bring in the food. Ashton and Luke set about finding a movie in the meantime.

I look over at the clock and I can't help but wonder how it got so late. I hadn't even noticed.