Something Beautiful

↠t w e n t y - t h r e e ↠

Song of the chapter:
As Long As You Love Me by Justin Bieber

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"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ashton asked me. We were in his Jeep, about to pull out of the driveway.

"Yeah." I nodded. I didn't understand why he was so worried about me. I could take care of myself.

"We can just go back inside and watch a movie or something, instead." Ashton put his hand against my cheek and caressed it with his thumb.

"Ashton. It'll be okay. It's just a party." I whispered.

He nodded. "I know, it's just everything that has happened to you always happened at a party."

"But I have you now." Oddly, I was feeling quite confident about going to this party.

"Okay." He pulled out of the driveway and we were on our way. I could tell that he was still uncomfortable about this by the way his jaw was clenched and the way his hands gripped the steering wheel.

Once we got to Calum's apartment, Ashton led the way up two flights of stairs. Calum's apartment was number 7. Ashton rapped on the door and it almost immediately swung open. A tall multicolored hair guy stood there with an almost empty glass in his hand. "Ashton!" He exclaimed. "Where have you been lately?"

Ashton shrugged. "Places."

"Well, you missed like three band practices." Clearly, this guy was a bandmate.

He looked at me. "Who is this?"

"Um, Michael, this is Hazel. Hazel, meet Michael. He's one of my bandmates."

"Hello, Hazel." Michael nodded at me.

"Hi." I replied.

Michael held open the door wider, gesturing for us to come in. Ashton stepped in first and I followed close behind.

"Want anything to drink?" Michael asked me.

I shook my head. I wasn't much of a drinker.

Michael and Ashton went over to one corner of the room where two other guys stood. I recognized Calum right away. The other guy was blonde with blue eyes and had a lip piercing. His hair was spiked up. Ashton looked back at me, and waved me over. I realized I was standing in the same spot I was when they walked away.

When I got over there, Ashton immediately introduced me to the blonde guy. His name was Luke.

"So what do you guys all play?" I asked.

"I play guitar and I'm also the lead singer." Luke piped up right away.

"Bass guitar. I also sing. Luke isn't the only singer." Calum nudged Luke playfully.

"Guitar and vocals." Michael said.

"And I play the bagpipes." Ashton said jokingly.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yeah, right."

"Well, we all know you'd look nice in a skirt." Calum teased.

Michael guffawed.

"Whatever." Ashton said. "I'm going to the bathroom." He walked away.

"Are you sure you don't want anything to drink, Hazel?" Michael asked me again.

I shrugged. "Maybe some water."